August 2023 ESMC Newsletter
ESMC/ESMRC Updates
ESMC Welcomes a New Chief Financial Officer, Margarita McIntosh
We are very pleased to welcome Margarita McIntosh, who joins ESMC as the Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Margarita leads the finance function while developing and implementing financial strategic short- and long-term initiatives.
Prior to joining ESMC, Margarita served as the senior financial leader within a wide range of industries including energy, manufacturing, and technology for start-ups. She specializes in building and formalizing GAAP compliant financial and lean operational departments with a focus on efficacy, efficiency, and scalability. Margarita holds an M.S. in Accounting with a secondary M.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado.
If you or someone you know would like to join our team, ESMC is currently seeking a Policy and Engagement Manager and a Grant Writer. Find more information and application details for these two positions on our website.
ESMC seeks an experienced Grant Writer to join our dynamic team. This position, which is remote, will be instrumental in identifying, developing, and managing grant applications, ensuring compliance with grant requirements, and fostering relationships with potential funders. Read more on this position and apply.
We are also seeking a Policy and Member Engagement Manager to serve as our organization’s lead on public policy issues that are relevant to our mission and the success of Eco-Harvest. The Policy and Member Engagement Manager will identify public policy opportunities, obstacles, and barriers to a fully optimized ecosystem services market program and work to achieve beneficial outcomes. This position is based in Washington DC. Read more on this position and apply.
Look for ESMC At…..
Climate Week NYC
September 20, New York, NY
ESMC team members Debbie Reed, Jack Jeworski, and Nicole Capizzi will attend Value Change Initiative events at Climate Week NYC – including a special Claims Lab session and the Net Zero Value Chains: Enabling Collaboration to Unlock Value Chain Decarbonisation at Scale public event. ESMC will also attend other in-person events connected to Climate Week NYC; read more about the wide array of in-person and virtual events.
VERGE23
Oct. 24 – 26, San Jose, CA
VERGE23 is the leading climate tech event accelerating solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time. It is the center of gravity for the climate community — leaders from business, government, solution providers and startups — working together to address the climate crisis across the six key programs that comprise the event: Buildings, Carbon, Energy, Food, Startups and Transport. ESMC is proud to be a Community Partner of this event; as part of this partnership, registrants can use the code V23ESMC for 10% off All-Access Pass registration. Additionally, Jack Jeworski, ESMC’s Chief Product and Business Officer will attend. Learn more about the event and register.
Transform Food USA 2023: Accelerating Innovation and Collaboration for a Sustainable and Resilient Food
November 2 – 3, Minneapolis, MN
Reuters Events announces the launch of Transform Food 2023, a premier event dedicated to accelerating innovation and collaboration within the global food and agriculture industry. The event will take place on November 2-3 at the prestigious Marquette Hotel Minneapolis and will challenge 120 of the world’s most influential food decision makers to tackle the structural barriers impeding transformation at scale and unlock a viable roadmap to a net positive food future for all. ESMC’s Debbie Reed is a speaker and ESMC is a Strategic Partner at this event. Learn more and register.
ESMC Member and Funder News
USDA Updates Livestock Disaster Program Payment Rate to Assist Producers Hard-Hit by Heat and Humidity
USDA (August 25)
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced recently it is updating the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payment rate to support livestock producers in the Midwest who have lost cattle to the extreme heat and humidity experienced this summer. “The recent heat domes plaguing many parts of the country have proven to be unsurvivable for some animals and temperatures are not expected to let up any time soon. This is one of the latest, many examples of how a changing climate is creating immediate challenges for farmers and ranchers, and we’re finding that our emergency relief programs need to adapt accordingly,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. USDA is an ESMC funder. Read the full announcement.
Royal Dairy Farm Together with Nestlé Health Science Is Helping Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions through U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative
Perishable News (August 21)
Washington State’s future-focused dairy farmers are leading the way with sustainable farming practices. Royal Dairy has partnered with Nestlé Health Science, a global leader in nutrition and health, to implement innovative solutions that support the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative. This initiative aims to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality from the dairy industry by 2050. Royal Dairy farm and Nestlé Health Science’s partnership focuses on four key areas – cow care and feed, manure management, renewable energy, and regenerative agriculture – to show how dairy milk can be a sustainable source of nutrition. Nestlé is partnering with the Innovation Center for US Dairy on this project (both are ESMC Founding Circle members). Read the full article.
Cargill Joins Cornell-led Partnership to Support Regenerative Ag in NY
Cornell (August 8)
Cargill, an ESMC Founding Circle member, is providing financial support to the New York Outcomes Fund, which launched this year and will provide farmers a financial incentive to adopt regenerative agricultural practices like growing cover crops and reducing tillage. Initially, the New York Outcomes Fund received a grant from the Great Lakes Protection Fund to enroll 1,000 acres. With this additional financial support from Cargill, the program can enroll 10,000 acres, said Alan Martinez, senior manager for strategic partnerships at the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability (an ESMC Legacy Partner member). Read the full article.
Other News of Note
America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow
New York Times (August 28)
Overuse is draining and damaging aquifers nationwide, a New York Times data investigation revealed. Read the full article.
Labeled Climate Culprits, European Farmers Rebel Over New Standards
New York Times (August 26)
Asked to cut herds, move or even shut down to help meet E.U. environmental goals, agricultural workers say too much is demanded of them. Their anger is reshaping the political landscape. Read the full article.
Regenerative Food Certification: Gold Standard or Greenwashing?
Modern Farmer (August 24)
For the growing movement of eaters looking to align their values with their plates, what does it mean when you purchase regenerative certified food? And can global certification systems find common ground in their definitions? Read the full article.
How Regenerative Agriculture Became the Latest Big Buzzword in Sustainability
Modern Retail (August 24)
The list of sustainability terms continues to grow, thanks in part to retail companies and their marketing messages. The big one dominating press releases today is regenerative agriculture. Read the full article.
Bacteria that ‘Eat’ Methane Could Slow Global Heating, Study Finds
The Guardian (August 22)
Bacteria that consume the greenhouse gas methane could slow the rate of global heating, according to a recent study. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas emitted from energy (natural gas and petroleum systems), industry, agriculture, land use and waste management activities. Now a group of researchers from the University of Washington are proposing a method of removing methane by using a group of bacteria known as methanotrophs to naturally convert methane to carbon dioxide and biomass. Read the full article.
Align Your Team for Regenerative Ag Changes
AgWeb Farm Journal (August 3)
The term regenerative agriculture includes many conservation practices, but it doesn’t have a specific recipe. As a result, successful adoption is driven by the mindset of farmers and their team of employees. Read the full article.
