Value4Farm’s Post

Once again, it is great to read Tina Casey digging deep into the current evolution of #Agrivoltaics, in the US and in Central Europe. #SOLAR #BESS #AgriSolar #AgPV A Four-In-One Agrivoltaics Solution For Central Europe Farm Crisis Land use conflicts are stirring up a hornet’s nest of opposition to rural solar projects here in the US. The solar industry is facing similar conflicts elsewhere, including in the EU. Nevertheless, a new study focusing on the potential for solar development in four Central European nations indicates that the emerging science of agrivoltaics can improve both crop yields and income, offering a four-in-one solution that benefits farmers, food supplies, biodiversity, and energy resilience. EU Nations Are Beginning To Propel Agrivoltaics Forward … Agrivotaics refers to growing crops and pollinator habitats within a ground-mounted solar array. The practice began to take shape around 2018, when researchers began assessing the dual use of farmland for solar power and agriculture. At first glance, it may seem like a lose-lose proposition. The solar panels leave less room for crops, and the crops leave less room for panels, leaving the farmer with two less-than-optimal operations on the same land... https://lnkd.in/gs7WW_rX

This is an interesting finding from Lancaster University regarding solar farms. The research highlights that most solar farms are situated on agricultural land, often replacing traditional crops with managed grassland. When properly managed, these farms have the potential to store more carbon in the soil than they lose. https://lnkd.in/gjrxsx3F.

So far, the #agrivoltaics industry has focused primarily on building vital pollinator habitat and offering healthy grazing for local livestock like sheep. But what might the future of agrivoltaics look like? There are inspiring case studies that hint at possible futures. Learn more about one below: In 2015, scientists at the University of Vermont began researching the potential for sustainable saffron farming on a 1 acre solar array. Over the course of multiple growing seasons, researchers planted saffron in both raised beds and in-ground plots in aisles, edges, and even directly underneath solar panels. While saffron planted in edges and aisles performed better than those planted underneath panels, raised beds underneath solar panels produced more corms, or bulbs, for future crops. The study found that a productive, profitable saffron farm is possible on the same site as a solar array. While agrivoltaic crop production warrants much more research, the UVM saffron study illustrates how specialty crops and solar energy can work together for a more resilient, sustainable agricultural economy. We look forward to future studies that will help developers stay on the cutting edge of dual land use management. Learn more about agrivoltaics: https://lnkd.in/ghqahuXX

🌱  Epoch integrates with Cool Farm Tool to enhance scope 3 emissions tracking in agriculture and forestry-linked supply chains 🌱 The Epoch-Cool Farm Tool (CFT) integration simplifies large-scale emissions measurement, addressing the unique challenges faced by customers in the Global South and paving the way for scalable environmental interventions across the region. By providing easy access to vital datasets such as localised soil characteristics, climate data, and land management practices. This integration streamlines emissions tracking while driving actionable, nature-positive solutions. Even in regions with limited data infrastructure, customers can now leverage the advanced capabilities of Epoch and CFT to accurately quantify Scope 3 emissions. Lujeri Tea Estates in Malawi is currently benefiting from this integration, by simplifying emissions reporting for over 13,000 smallholder tea farmers. 👉 Read the full press release https://lnkd.in/ej8qnn7v

We are excited to complement Cool Farm Alliance's capabilities with a host of MRV systems to: 1 - Reduce the required input data by over 90% through auto-detection of practices and leveraging global datasets for set "defaults", 2 - Add empirical biomass data to carbon assessments to create a comprehensive and more accurate carbon footprint and compliance assessments (e.g. EUDR, CSRD, CSDDD) for ag and forestry supply chains, and, 3 - Most importantly, allow companies in ag and forestry supply chains to share and request environmental data from their supply chain partners taking into account the complexities of product flows and their associated allocations without producers having to share any sensitive data like their farm locations, production volumes or practices This opens up access to Cool Farm capabilities at a massive scale (think tens of millions of plots, including smallholders) even in places with patchy data (like the Global South). We are making environmental assessment as easy as "pressing a button" so that companies can focus on action rather than measurement. Nature Tech Collective The Nature Conservancy Conservation International Acceso One Acre Fund Fairtrade International Fairtrade Africa Solidaridad Network Bean Voyage Olam

Land use conflicts are stirring up a hornet’s nest of opposition to rural solar projects here in the US. The solar industry is facing similar conflicts elsewhere, including in the EU. Nevertheless, a new study focusing on the potential for solar development in four Central European nations indicates that the emerging science of agrivoltaics can improve both crop yields and income, offering a four-in-one solution that benefits farmers, food supplies, biodiversity, and energy resilience.

The LAB University of Applied Sciences on 28 May 2024 organized a workshop on the #clusteractivities of Päijät-Häme 🇫🇮 #LivingLab titled “Taking over Fish Streams “. The event was centered around the significant topic of #fish-derived side streams and their origins in the Päijät-Häme living lab region. Key #stakeholders from the #localauthority, #biogasproduction, #aquaculture, and #research sectors converged to discuss the production, utilization, and research concerning #fish side streams.   In the city of Lahti, the management fisheries in two lakes produce thousands of tons of fish annually. The local authority oversees the management of these fisheries, ensuring #sustainablepractices. #LabioOy, a notable biogas producer, plays a crucial role in this ecosystem. Their operations involve the transformation of organic waste, including fish side streams, into biogas. This not only addresses waste management challenges but also contributes to renewable energy production.  #Finnforel Oy, another key company participant, operates a large salmon broodstock nursery in the area. Their story, particularly the Hatsina project, was highlighted during the event. Finnforel's #recirculatingaquaculturesystems (RAS) represent an advanced and sustainable method of fish farming, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing resource efficiency. The company is commitment to innovative aquaculture practices, with fish side streams being an integral part of their resource management strategy.   The Natural Resources Institute Finland / Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke) has been dedicated to studying fish side streams for an extended period. Their research provides critical insights into the potential applications and benefits of utilizing these by-products. Luke's work supports the efforts of local authorities, biogas producers, and aquaculture businesses by offering scientific data and innovative solutions for optimizing the use of fish side streams. The workshop illuminated the multifaceted efforts of various stakeholders in managing and utilizing fish-derived side streams in the Lahti region. From the city’s fishery management to the innovative biogas production by Labio Oy, the advanced aquaculture practices of Finnforel Oy, and the comprehensive research by Luke, each entity contributes to a #sustainable and #circulareconomy.  

A recent evaluation of the 🇪🇺 European Union's bioeconomy reveals that, although resource use is becoming more efficient, there's a rising strain placed on ecosystems by forestry and agriculture practices, according to the Joint Research Centre's "Bioeconomy Progress Report." European Commission  🧡🤗 At #SYMBIO, we are working to reverse this situation. Join the change! More information 👉 https://bit.ly/3wUgymI LGCA - Lombardy Green Chemistry Cluster   🇮🇹 CTA (Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía)  🇪🇸 ANTEJA ECG  🇸🇮  Cardiff Metropolitan University  🇬🇧 SERN - Startup Europe Regions Network  🇧🇪 BABEG | Success in Carinthia  🇦🇹  alchemia-nova  🇦🇹 #STEEM 🇭🇷 #sustainable #HorizonEU #meetyoursustainabilitytarget

“While there are very few agrivoltaic projects in Illinois, early research and small projects show synergies between solar energy and agriculture. The co-location of solar panels and agriculture could keep farmers in business, improve ecosystem health, feed the country and provide clean energy.” Good story in the Chicago Tribune on how farmers in Illinois are using agrivoltaics to grow their crop yields and create more climate sustainable farms. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gTsuN-rE   

At the crossroads of solar farms and agriculture: challenges and opportunities ahead Amid concerns raised by Glastuinbouw Nederland about the conversion of agricultural greenhouses into solar fields, data shows a rapid increase in such conversions throughout the Netherlands. This article examines the impacts on the agricultural landscape and wider implications for sustainability and land use. As the debate intensifies, stakeholders are confronted with issues of land management, […] https://lnkd.in/e7qUvVf3