Agriculture / Agribusiness

Frances Gonzales founds biocyclic vegan farm

Frances Gonzales. Image supplied.

Vegan Wines Founder Starts Biocyclic Vegan Farm to Revolutionize Sustainable Agriculture

Frances Gonzalez, the founder of Vegan Wines, has opened a biocyclic vegan farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. She hopes the project, which is called Little Logan’s Farm, will become a national educational hub for an ethical and sustainable food system. Visitors will be invited to the farm to learn how biocyclic vegan principles can be used to grow premium plant-based produce, along with the potential of these methods to revolutionize agriculture in the United States. A range of events will be offered to make biocyclic farming more accessible, including workshops, farm tours, and hands-on experiences. Full-day experience The first event, which takes place on September 28, will see guests transported to the farm from New York City and given a chance to explore. They …

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The Transfarmation Project

© The Transfarmation Project

Former Poultry Farm in North Carolina Transformed into Organic Farming and Research Center

A former poultry farm in Wadesboro, North Carolina, has been converted into a 15,000-square-foot greenhouse dedicated to organic farming and agricultural research. The facility, previously used to breed approximately 540,000 chickens annually, will officially open on September 6, 2024. The project is part of The Transfarmation Project, an initiative under Mercy For Animals, which supports farmers transitioning from factory farming to more sustainable agricultural practices. Tom and Sokchea Lim, the farm’s owners, have transitioned from poultry farming to cultivating a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, lettuce, berries, and mushrooms. The facility will also serve as a research center focused on developing and promoting organic farming alternatives for former poultry farmers. “This transformation is more than a new beginning for our farm; it is also a …

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Derek Sarno helps turn former chicken farm into mushroom-growing operation

Derek Sarno. © Oh Brother Creative

Derek Sarno Helps Transform Ex-Chicken Farm Into Mushroom-Growing Operation in “UK-First” Project

In a groundbreaking new project, a former chicken farm in Norfolk, England, has been transformed into a sustainable mushroom-growing operation. The vision for the initiative was provided by Chef Derek Sarno, who partnered with The Little Mushroom Co. and Smithy Mushrooms to make his idea a reality. According to Sarno, the project is a UK-first and there is nothing similar elsewhere in the country. The initiative has been documented in a short film produced by Oh Brother Creative, which is now available to watch on YouTube. The film demonstrates the evolution of the farm and the teamwork and innovation that made it possible. Display “The future of cooking is about to change forever” from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in …

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Paul Shapiro

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Op Ed: Paul Shapiro, CEO of The Better Meat Co – Plant-Based is Paramount; Organic is Overrated

Paul Shapiro is the CEO of The Better Meat Co, producer of ‘Rhiza’ mycoprotein for blended products which recently received FDA no-questions GRAS approval. In 2018, he wrote the book Clean Meat, on the then-burgeoning subject of what was then called clean or lab-grown meat and now commonly known as cultivated meat. In this piece, which Shapiro fully acknowledges will be controversial and is certain to ruffle feathers, he puts forth the notion that organic agriculture may in fact be more detrimental to the environment than conventional. The following are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. Is organic agriculture worse than conventional for the environment and animals? By Paul Shapiro When I was 15, I harbored certain …

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Session 4 of the ‘update’ Webtalk Series: Anthropogenic Agriculture – Regenerative Revolution?!

The new international business webtalk series ‘update’ discusses the most pressing issues of the ongoing protein transition. Based on the latest news, data, and facts, the future of the industry will be put forward and discussed with key market players in this series of talks. Session 4 of the ‘update’ Webinar Series: Anthropogenic Agriculture – Regenerative Revolution?! September 12th, 10:30 AM CT (CHICAGO) | 5:30 PM CEST (BERLIN) | 4:30 PM BST (LONDON) >> Register now! Agripic: Where we are coming from Agriculture is at the heart of our food system. On the contrary; FoodTech, which aims to create a sustainable future with this system, often does not take the needs of farmers and our land into account. And while we are relentlessly searching for a sustainable …

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Ivy Farm sausage dish

© Ivy Farm Technologies

Report: Cultivated Meat Could Provide Opportunities for Some UK Farmers

A report by the UK’s Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has investigated how the widespread adoption of cultivated meat could impact UK farmers. The results indicate that under the right circumstances, cultivated meat could provide opportunities for some farmers, such as supplying animal cells or raw materials for cultivated meat production. It may also be possible for farmers to turn crop or animal byproducts into an income stream by selling them as cultivated meat ingredients. According to the report, using these byproducts as amino acid sources could reduce the cost and environmental footprint of cultivated meat production. Other farmers may be able to gain private investment in order to produce cultivated meat on their own farms. However, it is believed that this would cost about 30% …

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Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Boosting the Alternative Protein Market Through Reformation of VAT and Subsidies

Current policies on Value Added Tax (VAT) and agricultural subsidies are major hurdles to achieving a sustainable and fair food system. Though these financial tools were designed to promote economic stability and growth in the UK and EU, they now unintentionally contribute to inequality and environmental damage, favouring the traditional meat and dairy industries. In the latest New Food Hub article, ProVeg International breaks down the current landscape for VAT and subsidies within the UK and EU and discusses how policymakers and businesses can work to create a fairer food system. The problem with the current system In many countries, the VAT system is stacked against plant-based foods. Meat and dairy products often benefit from lower tax rates or even exemptions, while plant-based alternatives are …

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Belgian Presidency, flags in Brussels

© Belgian Presidency

The Future Of European Agriculture Agreed in Ministerial Document Calling for “Enhanced Attention” to Plant Protein

The priorities for the future of European agriculture have been summarised in a document published by Belgium, which this week concluded its six-month Presidency of the EU Council before handing over to Hungary. The document, titled Presidency Conclusions on the future of agriculture in the EU, was agreed by all member states except for Romania, which voted against it, and Slovakia, which abstained. The document notes that various climate-friendly agricultural practices can provide solutions to environmental and climatic challenges. The document, published by the Belgian Presidency, suggests in paragraph 23 that farmers have made progress in helping the EU achieve its climate, biodiversity, environmental, animal welfare, and other sustainability objectives. Said paragraph states that “various climate-friendly agricultural practices can provide solutions to environmental and climatic …

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Study aims to boost legume crop yields in Italy

© LEG-ITA

Study Aims to Boost Legume Crop Yields in Italy, Improving Plant Protein Self-Sufficiency

According to LEG-ITA, a project working to increase legume crop yields in Italy, less than 5% of European utilised agricultural area is devoted to grain legumes. Consequently, European self-sufficiency in plant proteins is poor, with the region relying mainly on imported soybeans. To address this, a two-year LEG-ITA study conducted in partnership with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies aims to identify key factors influencing the yield stability of grain legumes. Low yield stability is one of the most prominent reasons why farmers prefer other crops, and solving this issue could incentivise more growers to choose legumes. In turn, this could play an important role in improving the sustainability of the food system. The researchers will collect data on growing conditions for grain legumes, cultural …

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Four cows in a field

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Denmark to Introduce “World’s First” Carbon Tax on Animal Agriculture

Denmark looks set to introduce what is claimed to be the world’s first carbon tax on agriculture, following negotiations between the government, farmer organisations, trade unions, industry, and environmental NGOs. The agreement is expected to be formally approved by the Danish parliament in August, and will see a tax of DKK 300 per tonne CO2e introduced on livestock emissions from 2030. This will rise to DKK 750 per tonne CO2e in 2035, but with a basic deduction of 60%; this means that the effective tax will be DKK 120 (€16) per tonne in 2030 and DKK 300 (€40) per tonne in 2035. The proceeds raised by the tax in 2030-31 will be returned to the industry as a support fund to aid the green transition. …

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Gary Smith, Evolutus PR

Gary Smith, image supplied

Op Ed: Gary Smith, Co-Founder, Evolotus PR – Here’s What You Need to Know About Bird Flu, Non-Vegans

Gary Smith has contributed essays and columns to Newsweek, Jewish Journal, Moment Magazine, Tricycle Magazine, Jewish Chronicle, Jewish Independent, Mother Nature Network, Elephant Journal, and several books. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Through his work at Evolotus, Gary represents clients in the industry including Voyage Foods, PoLoPo, Planetarians, WNWN Food Labs, and BioCraft Pet Food. Here Gary pens an open letter to non-vegans about the harsh reality of bird flu, explaining that “the federal government is encouraging poultry growers to continue the practices that create the risk of contagion, increasing the need for future culling and reimbursement”. An open letter to non-vegans about bird flu By Gary Smith The next pandemic, the H5N1 bird flu virus, has officially jumped to mammals, including humans—a Michigan …

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Prairie Fava

© Prairie Fava

Protein Industries Canada Launches $24.5 Million Plant-Based Food Development Project

Protein Industries Canada recently announced a new initiative in partnership with Roquette, Prairie Fava, BioNeutra, and Plant Up to advance plant-based food innovation and market diversification. The $24.5 million project seeks to enhance Canadian companies’ competitiveness by developing new ingredients and food products, improving process efficiencies, and exploring new market opportunities for co-products. The project will address several challenges currently faced by the plant-based industry, including increasing global competition and the demand for improved taste and ingredient functionality. Focusing on pea and fava beans, the consortium will work on developing new fava-based ingredients and applications for pea starch and fibre, expanding product offerings and creating new market avenues for protein, starch, and fibre. Government support Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, The Honourable François-Philippe …

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VEGEPOLYS VALLEY International

© VEGEPOLYS VALLEY International

Plant Innovation Cluster Vegepolys Valley: 679 Members & €2.2 Billion in Investments Since 2019

France’s Vegepolys Valley is the fourth largest competitive cluster in the country in terms of members, with 679 actors from the plant sector — from genetics to products — innovating for a more competitive, qualitative, environmentally, and health-friendly agriculture. Flavie Delattre, the new president of Vegepolys Valley, told La Tribune in an interview that in 2023 alone, the membership count saw a substantial increase with the addition of 130 new players (reaching 645), indicating a genuine commitment to advancing plant-based innovation, even amid challenging circumstances. The cluster’s operations are implemented across four French historical regions — Pays de la Loire, Auvergne Rhône Alpes, Bretagne, and Centre Val de Loire. The members’ profiles are diverse, encompassing a range of plant-related companies, including VSEs/SMEs, startups, large corporations, …

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hands holding soy on a farm

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PBFA Submits Recommendations to USDA on Strengthening Specialty Crops

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and the Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI) have recently submitted comments in response to the USDA’s request for information on the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative (SCCI). This initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural production of key ingredients for plant-based foods, reflecting the USDA’s increased efforts to support the specialty crops sector and improve the competitiveness of its products. Objectives of the SCCI The SCCI is designed to enhance research, market development, and support for farmers in the specialty crops industry, which includes most fruit, nut, and vegetable crops, as well as pulses like dry peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas. The initiative focuses on administrative improvements to maximize the impact of existing Farm Bill programs, addressing challenges related to climate …

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Sheep grazing in Wales

© Szabolcs Csehak-stock.adobe.com

Head of WWF in Wales Warns of the “Inevitable Demise” of Welsh Animal Agriculture

Gareth Clubb, director of WWF Cymru, the Welsh arm of the environmental organization WWF, has written a blog post in the Welsh language under his social media name Naturiaethwr to warn the region’s farmers of the reality of the Welsh livestock industry: rising costs from energy to veterinary expenses, climate change, and declining consumer demand for animal meat. Clubb argues that people in the UK are reducing their meat and dairy consumption for health, ethical, and environmental reasons. This change in eating patterns threatens the country’s animal farming industry, particularly in Wales, where more than 90% of the land is dedicated to sheep and cattle farming. He highlights that 58% of the population has taken steps to reduce or stop eating meat, although some people are …

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female farmer spraying veg

Image courtesy of ProVeg International

PETA Study Reveals Transformative Power of Animal-Free Agriculture with Potential to Cut 84% of Emissions

A new PETA study entitled Rethinking Agriculture, authored by Prof Jan Wirsam of the Berlin University of Applied Sciences, showcases the transformative potential of animal-free agriculture. It argues that adopting vegan organic farming could revolutionize our agricultural systems. The research highlights an impressive potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 84%, reducing them to 6.1 million tonnes annually. Moreover, the need for agricultural land could dramatically decrease from 14 million hectares to just 5 million hectares by eliminating animal feed production. The study provides a detailed analysis of how vegan organic farming can transform the entire agricultural and food system, focusing on global warming reduction, biodiversity protection, and increased efficiency in using natural resources, while also reducing animal suffering. It offers actionable recommendations …

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Stuart McAlpine Lupin Crop, WOA

Stuart McAlpine with Lupin Crop © WOA

WOA Pioneers Novel Lupin Fiber, a By-Product of Lupin Powder, Marking “Significant Stride” for Food Industry

Wide Open Agriculture announces it has successfully developed a groundbreaking lupin fiber, characterized by a smooth texture, solubility, and neutral taste, which is ready for commercialization. The anticipated market introduction of this lupin fiber is poised to enhance revenues and profit margins of the company’s production operations in Germany as it transforms what was previously considered a waste by-product into a lucrative revenue source. In collaboration with Curtin University, Wide Open Agriculture has also pioneered the creation of Buntine Protein® powder, a world-first innovation derived from lupins, and holds the exclusive, globally protected patent for this product. The lupin fiber in question emerges as a secondary by-product of Buntine Protein production. Notably, both the lupin fiber and Buntine Protein® boast solubility and are capable of …

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Tractor ploughing field Proveg NFH

Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Supporting Farmers with New Opportunities in Sustainable Food Production

Globally, consumer food preferences are undergoing a significant shift. Recent years have seen exponential interest in sustainable alternative proteins – including plant-based, fermentation-enabled, and cultivated. Across Europe, an impressive 40% of consumers now identify as flexitarian, pescetarian, vegetarian, or vegan, and are actively reducing their consumption of animal-based products.[1] In terms of industry growth, the alternative protein market is estimated to reach USD 30 billion by 2030, expanding at an impressive CAGR of 10.4% between 2024-2030.[2] In contrast, traditional animal agriculture is facing several challenges: economic pressures from increasing intensification and consolidation,[1] climate change, and reduced consumer demand for conventional animal-based products. Opportunities for farmers in the alternative protein industry are abundant and diverse, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable food options and innovation in …

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soybean field, agricultural landscape

©[email protected]

Report: Alternative Proteins Could Significantly Impact Farming in New Zealand

A report published as part of the Protein Futures NZ project (funded through the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge) has found that alternative proteins could have a significant impact on farming in New Zealand. The report outlines four alternative protein scenarios: Demand for alt proteins continues to increase but does not significantly affect animal protein supply chains. Growth is slow due to technical barriers. This scenario is described as unlikely due to the current level of innovation, interest, and investment in the sector. Demand for alt proteins continues and precision fermentation takes off. Consumer acceptance is driven by sustainability concerns. However, the development of cultivated products is stalled due to technical barriers. Plant-based products take off, and some of the barriers facing cultivated …

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Members of the Board of Management of BayWa AG

© Baywa AG

BayWa, Bindewald and Gutting Mühlengruppe and MULTIVAC Establish AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance

BayWa Venture GmbH, the processing and packaging machine experts MULTIVAC, and Bindewald + Gutting Mühlengruppe are jointly investing around 20 million euros in AgriFoodTech startups. The alliance builds on BayWa Venture GmbH’s efforts, a BayWa AG subsidiary, known for investing in twelve promising AgriFoodTech startups in the last three years aimed at enhancing sustainability in the food sector’s value chain. The AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance’s investment focus spans multiple areas: AgTech / BioTech: Enhancing food production’s efficiency and sustainability. FoodTech: Innovative uses of plant proteins in nutrition, along with advancements in healthy eating and food safety. Circular Economy: Upcycling by-products, minimizing food waste, and promoting biodegradable and recyclable materials. Automation & Digitalization: Increasing transparency in the agri-food supply chain, utilizing robotics, AI, and predictive analytics for …

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