FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Indianapolis (July 13, 2026) — Solutions from the Land (SfL), in partnership with the Circular Bioeconomy Systems Institute (CBSI), today announced the release of Voices of Farmers Around the World: Circular Approaches for Scaling Bioeconomies, a new report featuring first-hand accounts from farmers across the globe who are transforming agricultural systems through practical, circular approaches.
The report was officially launched during the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Annual International Meeting on July 13 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Voices of Farmers Around the World report highlights how farmers are leading the transition from traditional linear production systems toward circular systems that recover, reuse, regenerate and retain the value of biological resources. Through their circular systems, they are modeling solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges, including food insecurity, environmental degradation, and the need to build resilience in the face of extreme weather events.
“Farmers are not waiting for solutions—they are creating them,” said Ernie Shea, Solutions from the Land president. “This report amplifies their voices and demonstrates that circular approaches are not theoretical concepts but practical strategies that help producers improve profitability, strengthen natural resources, and build more resilient local and regional bioeconomies.”
“The release of this report is an important opportunity to bring farmer voices together with science and engineering,” said Cedric Calhoun, ASABE’s Executive Director. “CBSI’s partnership with Solutions from the Land reflects a shared commitment to advancing circular agriculture and ensuring that the next generation of solutions is grounded in both sound science and the real-world experience by those who know the land best.”
Farmers included in the report represent different geographies and production systems, including:
- An integrated approach to grazing livestock and growing vegetables in the semi-arid, rocky and mountainous region of Namibia.
- Upcycling food waste as food for black soldier flies then chickens and finally humans again in South Africa.
- Two integrated approaches to raising livestock and crops on small scales in Uganda.
- A grass-based dairy in Ireland with intentional pasture management and a strong relationship with the local milk processor.
- A diversified crop and beef producer in Italy who has focused on regenerative techniques to build soil health.
- An organic riceberry and mango farmer and a shade-coffee grower who value environmental stewardship and farm profitability in Thailand.
- A community-minded aquaculture producer in Australia’s remote Northern Territory and a regenerative diversified crop farmer on the border of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.
- A leading bioenergy producer in Brazil, thanks to its sugarcane production.
- Traditional llama and alpaca herders in the remote mountains of Peru.
- A beef cattle and grain producer in Canada with managed, rotational grazing and feedyard systems.
- A large-scale United States hog producer that covers its lagoon storage system to capture methane, which is converted into biogas via anaerobic methane digesters and sold into the grid.
While each operation reflects unique environmental, cultural, and economic conditions, the stories reveal common themes of innovation, adaptability, and stewardship.
Voices of Farmers Around the World: Circular Approaches for Scaling Bioeconomies was developed to elevate producer perspectives and demonstrate how farm-level innovation can drive the growth of sustainable local, regional, and global bioeconomies. In the coming months SfL will be sharing this report at global forums where the future of agriculture and food systems are being shaped.
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Solutions from the Land (SfL) is a not-for-profit led by farmers and scientists that builds and facilitates state, national, and global initiatives and alliances through which farmers, ranchers, foresters and collaborating partners showcase examples of innovation and proactively advocate for policies, partnerships, investments, and research that will enable agricultural landscapes to deliver near-term, cost-effective, integrated solutions to global mega-challenges: food and energy security, sustainable economic development, and environmental improvement.
Learn more at www.solutionsfromtheland.org
The Circular Bioeconomy Systems Institute (CBSI) is a strategic initiative of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers that convenes multidisciplinary partners to develop the education, metrics, and systems innovations that close loops across food, feed, forest products, and renewable materials. CBSI’s mission is to advance education, professional development, and innovations for developing sustainable circular bioeconomy systems.
Learn more at https://cbsi-asabe.org/
Contact: Ernie Shea, President, Solutions from the Land
Email: eshea@solutionsfromtheland.org
Phone: 410-952-0123 (cell)
