Are There New Sustainability Rules on the Horizon for Vegetable Growers? [Opinion]
August 3, 2022 Multiple reports have me wondering what kind of new regulations are heading our way regarding inputs and sustainable production methods.
During a the keynote talk at the MidAtlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention last winter, Dr. David Kohl spoke about major U.S. retailers asking for a list of sustainable practices from produce growers. Since that talk, I’ve heard many, many growers tell me the same thing. One had the unpleasant experience of a major retailer making a special trip just to ask why they weren’t as sustainable as another grower in the area and how they plan to catch up.
My guess is that unlucky grower will not be alone. All this data gathering will likely be used in the future, probably as a compliance demand list.
And it’s not just retailers gathering this data. The current climate bill in Congress is setting aside $20 billion dollars for “climate-smart agricultural practices,” according to Bloomberg.
USDA Chemical Use Study
This is coinciding with USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service’s (NASS) Vegetable Chemical Use Survey, a every-two-years series of surveys that gather information on vegetable growers’ chemical use. Local Michigan news outlets are reporting its currently recruiting 700 vegetable growers in Michigan. NASS says its using 550 vegetable growers in Ohio.
“Responses from vegetable growers … will help ensure that nutrients and chemicals critical to vegetable production remain available on the market,” says Marlo Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Field Office. “The results of the [surveys] will help agricultural leaders and decision-makers better understand how producers cope with risk, adapt to policy changes, and make decisions about chemical use, new technologies, and other aspects of farming.”
Do you see a pattern? Where do you think this will take us? Let us know.
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