February 2025 ESMC Newsletter
ESMC Begins to Utilize HabiTerre’s Modeling Services for
Eco-Harvest Agricultural Carbon Projects
ESMC has chosen HabiTerre, an advanced technology company specializing in environmental and productivity insights for agriculture, to provide modeling services to ESMC’s Eco-Harvest market program. HabiTerre will provide exclusive project modeling for Eco-Harvest data in the U.S. using HabiTerre’s third-party validated model. The combination of advanced modeling, remote sensing, and AI reduces the data collection burden on both ESMC staff and Eco-Harvest producers. This improves accuracy and value creation for farmers and ranchers, while further reducing barriers to scale.
ESMC and HabiTerre partnered on a pilot project in 2023 to evaluate HabiTerre’s approach to high-quality quantification of field-level net greenhouse gas emissions – including soil organic carbon gain or loss, nitrous oxide and methane emissions – to accurately quantify environmental impacts. Based on the success of this project, ESMC will use HabiTerre’s modeling capabilities for all U.S.-based Eco-Harvest project data. To ensure the modeled Scope 3 outcomes are scientifically rigorous, ESMC will continue to align with existing verification standards. Read the full announcement.
ESMC Publishes New Report on EPA’s Pollutant Load Estimator Tool (PLET)
ESMC recently published a document that highlights the integration of EPA’s PLET module into the Eco-Harvest measurement, monitoring, reporting & verification (MMRV) platform. This automated solution allows for efficient and integrated quantification of water quality and water quantity impacts for approved best management practices. The result enables reduced data collection burdens on producers and project partners, and faster reporting of outcomes to producers and project partners.
The report highlights the reasoning behind ESMC identifying the PLET as the most appropriate model for water quality and quantity impacts. ESMC identified two important motivations to incorporate the PLET module into the Eco-Harvest MMRV – 1., it automates water impact quantification methods (an improvement on spreadsheet-based water impact calculators) and 2., it provides spatially-explicit water impact calculations using up-to-date datasets making the tool consistent with federal agency uses.
Join Us – ESMC Seeks a Visionary CEO
ESMC is at the forefront of addressing how agriculture can be a part of the solution to increase ecosystem services from regenerative agriculture. With an ambitious agenda for growth and impact, we are looking for a passionate, strategic, and results-driven leader who understands the complex interplay between agriculture and climate resilience. This individual will be responsible for spearheading initiatives, fostering partnerships, and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability. This position requires a continuous presence and strategic engagement with other organizations and leaders in the agricultural supply chain; staying abreast of industry developments of impact to ESMC; constant evaluation of risks and opportunities to protect and grow ESMC; and income generation via fundraising, member and buyer recruitment and other relevant activities. Read more about this position and get in touch.
Look for ESMC At….
North American Carbon World (NACW 2025)
Los Angeles, CA; March 25 – 27, 2025
NACW 2025 will present the content, community, and connections for successfully navigating the low-carbon landscape and advancing market-based climate policies and mechanisms. Learn up-to-date information on climate policy, markets, and finance in California, RGGI, Washington, Mexico, Canada and other key developments across North America. ESMC’s Executive Director Alana Pacheco will be attending. Read more about the event and register.
2025 Commodity Classic
Denver, CO; March 2 – 4, 2025
Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused educational and agricultural experience. It will provide attendees education to help prepare for the next generation of farming and include a huge trade show with the latest technology, equipment, & innovation. ESMC is sending a team to attend – if you will be there, say hello to Travis Breihan and Laura Shutack. Read more and review the agenda.
Animal AgTech Innovation Summit
Dallas, TX; April 8 – 9, 2025
The Animal AgTech Innovation Summit allows attendees to meet livestock producers, animal health and nutrition providers, feed companies, tech developers, investors and start-ups for two days of discussions and networking to accelerate sustainable food production. ESMC’s ED Alana Pacheco will moderate a fireside chat, Monetizing Environmentally Sustainable Livestock Farming. Read more and review the agenda.
Recent Member News
Mary Jane Melendez, Chief Sustainability and Global Impact Officer at General Mills Named to TIME100 Climate 2024 List
General Mills is consistently recognized as a leader in corporate sustainability efforts – from supporting ambitious climate policy to advancing regenerative agriculture. GM’s Chief Sustainability and Global Impact Officer Mary Jane Melendez is spearheading these efforts. Under her leadership, last year the company reduced its scope 3 emissions by 7% and scope 1 and 2 emissions by 12% without the use of carbon offsets. This year it partnered with Ahold Delhaize USA, one of the nation’s largest food retailers, to support sustainable farming across their shared supply chains. Read the full highlight on Mary Jane Melendez. General Mills is a Founding Circle member and funder of ESMC.
Other News of Note
Consumers Have Heard of Regenerative Agriculture. What Will Convince Them to Actually Buy It?
Ag Funder News (February 21)
With food costs still on the rise and growing supply chain uncertainty, a question remains: Do consumers genuinely care enough to pay the premium that comes with regenerative products, or will the category remain a niche concept? Recent consumer insights suggest a bit of both. Read the full article.
Trump’s Funding Freeze Creates Chaos and Financial Distress for Farmers
Civil Eats (February 11)
Efforts to transition farms to regenerative agriculture are stalled, and the path forward is unclear. Read the full article.
California Decides What ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ Means. Sort of.
Civil Eats (February 5)
A new definition for an old way of farming may help California soil, but it won’t mean organic. Read the full article.
25 Books Guiding Us Toward More Regenerative Food Systems
FoodTank (January 27)
Food Tank is rounding up 25 books about the past, present, and future of global food and agriculture systems to get through the winter. These books will inspire readers to learn from global food movement wins, encourage them to find their creative spark in the kitchen, and help them understand how corporations have shaped today’s food and agriculture system. Read the full article.
‘A Pivotal Moment’ for Regenerative Agriculture as Agreena Secures Verra Registration for Soil Carbon Project
Ag Funder News (January 20)
In what it says is a major milestone for the company, Denmark-based Agreena has just registered its AgreenaCarbon Project under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). This is the first time a large-scale agriculture project has registered under the VCS, which is widely considered to be the world’s top greenhouse gas crediting standard. Read the full article.
Tree Crops Are Essential for Agriculture and Biodiversity, Researchers Argue
Technology Networks (January 15)
Tree crops cover more than 183 million hectares worldwide yet remain largely overlooked in agricultural policies. Read the full article.
U.S. Dairy’s Net-Zero Climate Pledge and Lessons from Idaho
AgDaily (January 2)
This article explores the attitudes and perceptions of Idaho dairy producers toward the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative through focus group discussions involving a diverse sample of producers from Idaho. Read the full article.
Black Earth: A Family’s Journey from Enslavement to Reclamation
Civil Eats (December 10)
In North Carolina, a Black farmer purchased the plantation where his ancestors were enslaved—and is taking back his family’s story, his community’s health, and the soil beneath his feet. Read the full article.
