Press Releases

Field to Market Convenes Leaders Across Value Chain to Identify Solutions to Advance Climate Action in Food & Ag

September 27, 2019

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable released today key findings from its most recent Cross-Sector Dialogue: Seeking Common Ground on Climate Action Across Agricultural Value Chains. Field to Market’s Cross-Sector Dialogues is a strategic initiative launched in 2019 that brings together diverse stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain to advance shared learning and drive collective action on sustainable agriculture. As a capstone in a three-part series, the Dialogue on climate action convened more than 75 diverse stakeholders from all facets of the value chain to better understand climate change risks facing U.S. agriculture and to explore collaborative approaches that can deliver benefits for farmers, consumers and the planet.

The agriculture community finds itself squarely in the middle of the climate crisis—as a source of greenhouse gas emissions, a solution for carbon sequestration, and the industry most at risk from increasingly volatile weather patterns. At the same time, many global companies and members of Field to Market have established ambitious, science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets with looming deadlines.

The Dialogue was structured to allow for both expert perspectives alongside facilitated, roundtable discussions in smaller groups to surface cross-sector learnings and solutions to these pressing challenges. Thought starters from organizations including Cargill, Mars, Nori, Precision Risk Management, U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance  and the U.S. House Agriculture Committee set the table for a robust, solutions-oriented conversation.

“Field to Market’s multi-stakeholder approach brings together voices from every facet of the value chain, from growers, agribusinesses, brands, retailers, academia and conservation groups,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market. “We believe that no single company or organization can solve the pressing challenges facing today’s food and agriculture industry alone. Our Cross-Sector Dialogues are a vital opportunity for our members to come together with their peers to surface honest conversations and actionable solutions.”

Collectively, Field to Market’s Cross-Sector Dialogue series brought together more than 200 diverse stakeholders in 2019 to solve for some of the most pressing challenges facing food and agriculture today. Events to date include:

  • Defining, Measuring and Advancing Responsible Pest Management in Agricultural Supply Chains – March 2019

The first event in the series, held in Washington, DC in March, gathered more than 50 experts from across the value chain, representing growers, agribusiness, brands and retailers, civil society, academia, and public sector partners to explore how diverse stakeholders can work together to encourage continuous improvement in pest management while ensuring farmers have access to tools they need to maintain productivity, profitability and sustainability of their crops.

  • Making Dollars and Sense: Building Shared Value in Agricultural Sustainability Programs – June 2019
The second in the series was held in Oak Brook, Illinois as the conclusion of Field to Market’s June Plenary & General Assembly meeting and convened more 150 stakeholders to explore lessons learned from recent supply chain sustainability projects, as well as what the next decade of sustainable procurement programs could look like. Discussions focused on creative strategies for strengthening the value proposition for all segments of the supply chain, from farmers to the retail shelf.

In conjunction with Climate Week 2019, Field to Market is releasing the key findings from the recent climate Dialogue in order to highlight the importance of the agricultural value chain working together to achieve solutions. Please note that summaries of the first two Cross-Sector Dialogues are available exclusively to Field to Market members. Other interested stakeholders are invited to join Field to Market and to be a part of the largest and most diverse initiative committed to defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of U.S. commodity crop production.

Download Key Findings from the Cross-Sector Dialogue on Climate Action

ABOUT FIELD TO MARKET

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture® brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, feed, beverage, restaurant, and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring, and advancing the sustainability of food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. Field to Market comprises around 200 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with members employing more than 5 million people and representing combined revenues totaling over $1.5 trillion. 

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“We believe that no single company or organization can solve the pressing challenges facing today’s food and agriculture industry alone. Our Cross-Sector Dialogues are a vital opportunity for our members to come together with their peers to surface honest conversations and actionable solutions.”

Rod Snyder, president, Field to Market

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