Celebrated SfL Key Moments 2025

Shared lessons learned from the Florida Forum on Circular Bioeconomy.

Helped launch Maryland Climate-Smart Agriculture: Roadmap to Resilience

Updated SfL’s global plan of work and guiding principles

Launched the Florida Invasive Species Work Program.

Launched the California Invasive Species Work Program

Organized a conservation roundtable at Green Wagon Farm in Ada, MI

Attended the annual General Meeting of the Internation Agri-Food Network in London

A.G. Kawamura hosted USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on a strawberry farm tour in Irvine, CA.

Applauded a new documentary spotlighting Ray Gaesser who shared his thoughts and perspectives on climate change

Released 12 overarching Reconstruction of Agricultural Land Principles

Held an invasive species workshop at the 7th BioAgTech World Congress & Expo 7–9 April 2026 in Valencia, Spain.

Celebrated the finalization of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) “Set 2” final rule.

Held a special conservation roundtable at Anvil Ranch to discuss the impacts of extreme and increasingly erratic weather on Arizona ranches and farms.

Reinforced SfL’s call to action for global multi-stakeholder, cross-boundary collaboration to address growing invasive species challenges.

Joined the Cow Talks Podcast series to discuss How Farmer-Led Co-Design Is Reshaping Conservation and Agriculture

Submitted comments on the HLPE-FSN’s call for input on 4th “Note on critical, emerging and enduring issues”.

Participated in a FAO Private Sector Roundtable, convened on the margins of the 9th Informal North American Regional Conference (INARC)

Mourned the passing of Ted Turner while acknowledging the pivotal role he played in standing up Solutions from the Land. Check out our social media post.

Advocated for legislation to allow for year-round sales of E15 nationwide.

Joined IAFN recently on an open letter to senior FAO leaders outlining recommendations for Safeguarding Global Food Security Amid Disruptions in the Middle East.

Submitted comments on the First Draft of the CFS Policy Recommendations on Building Resilient Food Systems 

Applauded the FAO Council’s adoption of FAO’s proposal to initiate a global, multistakeholder bioeconomy partnership for sustainable agrifood systems.

Gave a presentation on farmer co-creation in From the Ground Up and CHEERS at the Field to Market Annual Meeting.

Applauded USDA’s Directive to Restore Grazing on National Forest Lands and Strengthen Support for America’s Ranchers | USDA

Moderating a presentation on farmer/rancher-led on-farm conservation research and collaboration at the 2026 USDA-NIFA Strengthening Agricultural Systems Project Directors’ Meeting.

Spotlighted a “new biofuels as a catalyst for agricultural growth” report by S&P Global Energy

Applauded USDA’s  Regenerative Feedstock Rule

Launched Voices of Farmers Around the World: Circular Approaches for Scaling Bioeconomies

Released the 25x’25 Renewable Energy Campaign’s  final assessment report.

Maintained a laser-like focused on SfL’s 2024 Priorities.

Were honored by Progressive Farmer Magazine Voices for Agriculture as one of America’s top ag advocates.

Welcomed our newest member of the SfL Board of Directors- Brad Doyle announcement.

Celebrated the lives and mourned the passing of 25 x’25 Co-Chair Bill Richards and former SfL Board member Pat O’Toole.

Collaborated with the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers in standing up the Circular Bioeconomy Systems Institute Advancing Innovations for Circular Bioeconomy Systems.

Won approval as a collaborating partner on USDA Project to Advance Climate Resilience for Midwest Farmers – Solutions from the Land.

Launched an expanded social media program

Engaged multiple UN System Platforms with expert programs, submissions and interventions:

United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)

• 01.31 ANNOTATED  SfL draft statements related to UNEA 6   21 DRAFT resolutions
• SfL on V0 draft of the HLPE-FSN report_urban and peri-urban food systems_ #19
• Provided input on Voluntary Code of Conduct for the sustainable use and management of plastics in agriculture.
• Attended UNEA 6 First year at UNEA Successful for SfL – Solutions from the Land
• Held SfL- UNEA-6 Circular Bioeconomy side event 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya
• Intervened in “Promoting Sustainable Transportation: Global Standards for Fuels and Vehicles” https://sched.co/1QPs6 where we had an opportunity to share ways to improve vehicle efficiency/performance, fuel quality and public health via higher blends of renewable fuels.
• Participated in the annual meeting of UNEP’s Committee of Permanent Representatives; Nairobi, July ’24. MGS Closing joint statement ASC and The Road to UNEA-7: Reflections from A.G. Kawamura – Solutions from the Land.
• Facilitated the adoption of FMG Guiding Principles and FMG Terms of Reference for the UNEP Farmers Major Group UNEP Major Group Modalities.

UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• Submitted three key overarching recommendations on FAO Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition’s call for input on “Agriculture, Biodiversity and Food Security: From Commitments to Actions”
• Broke new ground with the introduction of SfL’s recommendations in response to the Committee on World Food Security’s call for input on draft V.0 of a High-Level Panel of Experts report on Food Security and Nutrition. SfL on V0 draft of the HLPE-FSN report_urban and peri-urban food systems_ #19
• Partnered with FAO’s Office on Climate Change, Biodiversity and the Environment (OCB) on the development of a report on Voices of Farmers Around the World: Sharing Climate Smart Approaches and Circular Bioeconomy Systems.
• Monitored FAO’s roadmap for “Achieving SDG 2 Without Breaching the 1.5̊ Threshold”.
• Participated the annual general meetings of the International Agri-Food Network and the UN Committee on Food Security’s Private Sector Mechanism (PSM) and the 52^nd annual meeting of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS 52), Ernie Shea, Rome, Oct. ‘24
• Held a side event at CFS 52- SE05: From linear to circular – The roles of value chain partners in catalyzing and supporting sustainable peri-urban circular bioeconomy systems

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• SfL’s recommendations were imbedded in the 20240227_Farmers Constituency_GST-response_final statement on the first-ever UNFCCC Global Stocktake Agreement .
• Contributed to the UNFCCC Farmers Constituency COP 29 submission 240530 Farmers_constituency_letter_COP29_CPD
• Submitted policy priority and workshop recommendations for Sharm el-Sheikh Dialogue_ Solutions from the Land Submission_April 2024.
• Participated in a side event Insetting Principles  Roadmap Excerpt during Climate Week NYC, Fred Yoder, Sept.’24.
• Sent a six person delegation to COP 29 in Azerbaijan- SfL at UNFCCC COP 29
• Solutions from the Land Statement on COP29 Outcomes – Solutions from the Land

Around the states:

• Published FLCSA’s Quantifying Ecosystem Services with Artificial Intelligence- Phase One Executive Summary
• Released Florida Healthy Farms-Healthy Bays Initiative Releases New Report – Solutions from the Land
• Spotlighted the Healthy Farms-Healthy Bays initiative at a FL Climate Week
• Secured Grant Fuels Mission for Circular Bioeconomy Initiative in Florida – Solutions from the Land
• Through FLCSA – Solutions from the Land assisted “Agriculture 2040/2070”
• Nudging Farmers to the Edge- Reducing Off Field Nutrient Runoff; farmer decision making and land use management- Lois Wright Morton https://youtu.be/3h5nC9bEPqA.
• Supported Ag-Auto-Ethanol (AAE) Spring Forum 2024 AAE Annual Forum Agenda.
• Facilitated the construction of the land treatment component a $25M RCPP project proposal led by the North Florida Land Trust EXECUTIVE SUMMARY S2G and OUTCOMES
• SfL’s Ray Gaesser served as one of three farmer panelists at the 2024 Iowa Hunger Summit.
• Held a Congressional climate smart agriculture farm tour in Kersey, Colorado, press release
• Contributed stories to THE FEED, a new website showcasing the real-time challenges and solutions farmers are facing as they work to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing climate.
• Spoke at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), Rudy Rice, Phoenix, Nov. ‘24
• INSA released their second report, “Indiana Smart Agriculture: Building a Resilient Future for Indiana Farms and Forests.”
• Solutions from the Land Releases White Paper on How to Help Reforest and Restore Stressed Watersheds in the Western U.S. – Solutions from the Land

SfL Launches new Farmer Envoy Program

SfL joins the AIM for Climate Initiative

SfL Lauds Launch of New USDA ‘Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities’ Program

SfL Takes Pride in Joining Others in the Celebration of Earth Day

SfL Proposes an Eighth Critical and Enduring Issue to Ensure Global Food Security and Nutrition Priorities

Indiana Smart Agriculture Work Group launched

Kawamura Cites the Role of ‘Ag Renaissance’ in FAO Session on ‘Four Betters’ – Solutions from the Land

SfL vision featured in the 2022 “Smart Agriculture” edition of The Bridge

SfL Earns Accreditation to Global Environmental Talks

We need to prepare for future droughts, not simply react

SfL Leaders to Engage in High Level United Nations Forums – Solutions from the Land

Beyond productivity: Rebuilding circles of life to deliver multi-benefit goals via circular systems

FLCSA secures $2 million state grant to document ecosystems service delivery

SfL promotes the benefits of biofuels

SfL represents UNFCCC Farmers Constituency at Petersburg Climate Dialogue

SfL intervenes in UNEP with Farmers’ Perspectives on Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production

Celebrate the life of Tom Lovejoy

SfL launchesHeadwaters of the Colorado Initiative 

What farmers think about corporate carbon reduction pronouncements and programs

SfL leaders call for ag investments in federal climate legislation

SfL leaders at work in Rome

SfL hosts Headwaters of the Colorado field day and tour Public, Private Projects to Restore Forests, Build Their Capacity to Fight Climate Change

Ernie Shea delivered the 2022 Deal Lecture at Iowa State University

Published Iowa Smart Agriculture: Circles of Life Report

Watch Farmers Speak at COP27: International Climate Change Conversations

SfL COP27 Facebook Posts

Advanced circular systems pathways at The International Conference of the Agricultural Science (ctu.edu.vn) in Vietnam

Florida farmers, ranchers, foresters gather post-Hurricane Ian to continue climate-smart work

SfL joins UNFCCC as an official participating NGO

SfL makes its seventh submission into the UNFCCC Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture

SfL joins the FAO Private Sector Mechanism at the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in Rome.