Eligible crops Include strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, kale, specialty greens, sweet potatoes and blueberries
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has said it is searching for growers of select specialty crops in the US to to trial and adopt conservation practices through targeted incentives and tailored technical assistance, as part of its ’Advancing Markets for Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture in Specialty Crops’ project.
With the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) focus on regenerative agriculture, the IFPA was awarded federal funding as part of USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers grant programme.
The project is a continuation of the sustainability and resiliency pilots the organisation was developing previously, along with new investment from the current US administration.
“Fresh produce growers have always been on the front lines of sustainability, and today, this leadership is essential to building resilient farms and food systems,” said IFPA vice-president of sustainability Tamara Muruetagoiena.
”By advancing practical, economically viable sustainability solutions such as these regenerative agriculture pilots, we help growers strengthen their operations, adapt to environmental and market challenges, and remain competitive for the long term.
“We are committed to working with producers, policymakers, and supply-chain partners to ensure approaches like these remain scalable, flexible, and rooted in measurable outcomes,” she noted.
The association is seeking 30 additional growers of select specialty crops to complement the 70 producers already enrolled in the program.
Muruetagoiena noted that IFPA is looking specifically at producers in California and Washington State, with incentives focusing on at least one of six sustainable and regenerative production practices.
The end goal is advancing market opportunities and competitiveness for fruits and vegetables grown using these methods.
Regenerative production practices include alley cropping, nutrient management, residue and tillage management, short-season cover crops, soil amendments and mulches, and water management.
The eligible annual and short-lived perennial crops IFPA seeks for project participation are strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, kale, specialty greens, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and cane berries.
The association is also looking for long-life perennial crops such as those grown in vineyards and orchards.
“As interest in regenerative agriculture grows from both a public and policy perspective, it’s important that these audiences understand that fresh fruits and vegetables is the original sustainable food choice as growers have been stewards of the environment for thousands of years,” added Muruetagoiena.
”Fresh produce rightfully should be central to all efforts to make our planet and food systems healthier.”
