Embracing sustainability practices is not just our duty to the earth, though that’s a noble cause. It’s a way to future-proof our business strategy and produce a marketable product that stands out.
I think about how different sustainability must have been when my grandparents were Iowa’s Master Pork Producer award winners in 1983. (I’m so proud to continue our family legacy working in the pork industry.)
What we know today is different than what we knew then. Yet, some things will never change.
For instance, the swine industry has always been committed to continuous improvement. And now with our shared pork industry sustainability goals and metrics, the right strategic partnerships can ensure that our product is one that ends up on dinner tables around the world.
Strategic partnerships are vital in amplifying efforts and ensuring freedom to operate. Ducks Unlimited, the leading organization in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, is a great (and perhaps unlikely) partner to the National Pork Board (NPB). Yet, we have much in common.
We are both stewards of the land. We want to protect our environment: from our natural waterways to animal population habitats. We are also united around shared sustainability goals. Regenerative agriculture practices improve soil health, air and water quality, and create wildlife habitat.
While we have our obvious differences, our shared values reflect our commitment to sustainable and ethical practices.
Ducks Unlimited is a partner in NPB’s grant program that provides technical support to farmers implementing on-farm practices.
As part of the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, the Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability Grant is a valuable opportunity for producers to discover insights on the sustainability of their farm, receive technical and financial resources to make improvements that benefit their business, the pork industry, and the environment.
The Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability Grant offers financial incentives and technical assistance for the adoption of the following six* sustainable practices.
