Better Living Through Well Being
Establishing a resilient, restorative, economically viable climate-smart agricultural system producing abundant nutritious food, natural fiber, and clean energy for a sustainable and prosperous America is the goal of a non-governmental organization of farmers and ranchers here. U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) shares a common vision with food and agriculture partners to further our global sustainable food systems. Decade of Ag, a shared vision for 2030 for U.S. food and agriculture, is a proactive collaboration between the best minds in food, agriculture, science, and technology to co-create solutions that will result in environmental, social, and economic stability.
The vision includes four specific outcome areas: 1. Restoring our environment through agriculture that regenerates natural resources; 2. Revitalizing our collective appreciation for agriculture; 3. Investing in the next generation of agricultural systems; 4. Strengthening the social and economic fabric of America through agriculture.
Given agriculture’s impact on global warming and climate change, this is a critical moment for such a movement. Agriculture contributes a significant share of the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change, 17 percent directly through agricultural activities and an additional 7-14 percent through land use changes. There are now almost 150 leaders and organizations who have endorsed the Decade of Ag and others are encouraged to join the movement, and action network dedicated to creating change through enhanced partnerships through the food value chain to help nourish a growing population.
USFRA has unveiled a new short film that highlights the important role farmers and ranchers are taking in forging climate solutions with help from science experts, investors and partners. The Carbon Neutral Pig is a true story about a young woman who has taken over and transformed her father’s pig farm in North Carolina.
Vulnerable groups continue to be disproportionately affected by these disruptions and lack of resources, impacting access to good nutrition and improved outcomes. Genuine partnership requires genuine collaboration with grassroots organizations and local leaders to gain a true understanding of what’s needed on the ground, bring forward new ideas and partners working together toward collective impacts and sustainable solutions.
Abbott will cultivate conversations between the foremost experts in the fight against malnutrition. An advisory board of experts from each region of the world will help in understanding the needs and nuances of malnutrition at a local level and connect with like-minded partners. Abbott has a long history of success in understanding the science behind nutrition and innovating to make nutrition accessible to people around the world. Creating solutions that are sustainable and accessible will enable reaching those people who need them.
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A common key factor in well being risk is employer support. Employees who felt strongly supported by their employers reported the highest levels of well being and were less likely to want to quit. However, new data shows a noteworthy downturn in the extent to which employees felt well-supported by their employers compared to six months ago. The study indicates employers who continue to place a premium on employee well being and performance can moderate the negative effects of the pandemic on their people before they become overwhelmed.
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* Pure Growth Project ensures community gardens and farms continue to thrive and help increase access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables worldwide.
* Mural campaign promotes awareness of Fairtrade, an alternative approach to trade based on non exploitative partnerships between those who grow the food and those who consume it.
* Fairtrade’s open letter to world leaders at Glasgow climate summit urges governments to strengthen environmental protection and promote fair, low-carbon trade deals.
* Leading solar technology provider launches initiative to make renewable energy more accessible for historically marginalized communities by 2025.
* American Lung Association announces 24 COVID-19 research studies to determine susceptibility and treatment for long COVID.
* Psychedelic science and healthcare industry publisher, PSYCH, releases “The psychedelics as a Medicine Report.”
* Emerging technology elevates canine services to detect and contain invasive pathogens, such as COVID-19, around the world.
* New Leaves for Recovery honors those in recovery with tree planting campaign.
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US Farmers and Ranchers in Action Partners US and Global Thought Leaders with US Farmers to Benefit the Food Systems of the Future
Chesterfield, Missouri
U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) is one of – if not the only – organization that has successfully connected farmers and ranchers to food and agriculture stakeholders to co-create sustainable food systems through four tremendous back-to-back events in two weeks' time.
Beginning with the third annual USFRA Honor the Harvest Forum which brought together farmers and ranchers with agricultural value chain leaders in food, fiber, and energy to address the needs of the next #DecadeofAg. The more than 120 participants brought together 100% of the food and ag value chain for three full days of identifying and addressing specific actions to further innovation and investment that will be necessary to unlock the full potential of climate-smart agriculture nationwide.
Several key themes and action areas emerged during the plenary sessions, breakout discussions, presentations, and leadership talks including collaboration is key to moving the industry forward and ongoing dialogue and relationships must start with the farmers. USFRA Chairman and Nebraska farmer Anne Meis said of the Forum, "The leadership we've seen, the insight and tough questions we've heard, and the focused conversations must continue."
From meaningful investment to data privacy to elevating producers to educating consumers, the Forum focused on breaking old stereotypes and meeting this critical critical moment with a sense of urgency. "In this pivotal time, we can be leaders in tackling the climate crisis … to be effective, we must work for and with farmers, ranchers, and landowners," said U.S Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack who addressed the participants on the first day.
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Global Healthcare Leader Commits to Reducing Malnutrition Globally with Launch of Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions
Abbott Park, Illinois
Abbott has announced the creation of the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions, an innovation hub focused on reducing malnutrition around the world. The center, a collaboration between Abbott and external nutrition experts and partners, will focus on the identification, treatment and prevention of malnutrition for the most vulnerable populations in the world, including mothers, infants and young children; aging adults; and people without access to good nutrition.
The work of the center will contribute to Abbott's 2030 Sustainability Plan ambition to transform care for malnutrition, chronic disease and infectious diseases, with a goal to improve the lives of more than 3 billion people by decade's end.
"Malnutrition affects 1 in 3 people around the world, and it's not only a result of extreme poverty," said Daniel Salvadori, executive vice president of Abbott's nutrition business. "It affects people of all ages, all geographies and all socioeconomic classes. Progress to address malnutrition is slow and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Abbott has long been focused on improving nutrition through our innovations. The creation of the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions will enable us to apply our science and expertise in collaboration with others to improve systems and ensure good nutrition is accessible to more people around the world."
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Threats to Employee Wellbeing Intensify as Pandemic Wears On, Study Finds
Boston, Massachusetts
Threats to employee wellbeing continue to intensify well over a year into the pandemic, as evidenced by a 21% rise in burnout and a 17% increase in somatic stress symptoms, a new study found. The study examined changes in overall wellbeing among 5,474 meQuilibrium members from a broad range of industries representing managers and individual contributors.
"Employee wellbeing continues to be under threat 18 months into the pandemic," says Brad Smith, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, meQuilibrium. "Our data shows that workers continue to feel the cumulative mental health impacts of the crisis in the form of increased stress symptoms, burnout, and diminished motivation. We need to take action now to protect employee wellbeing before the clock runs out."
The study also revealed a particularly large burnout risk increase among younger workers of 64%, which was nearly three times the increase for employees over 30 (22%). The increase in burnout symptoms is especially high among managers (+54%), hospitality (+48%), health care (+32%) and finance (30%) industry workers.
When it comes to gender differences, meQuilibrium found that although men and women are experiencing about the same rate of increase in burnout (+24% in women and +25% in men), men's somatic stress levels are rising at a faster rate than women's (+9% for men vs +3% for women).
No matter what job title, gender or industry, a key factor in wellbeing risk is employer support. Employees who felt strongly supported by their employers reported the highest levels of wellbeing and were less likely to report turnover intent.
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Pure Farmland Celebrates Summit Community Gardens With $10,000 Donation As Part Of Its Pure Growth Project
Smithfield, Virginia
Pure Farmland has recognized Summit Community Gardens in Park City, Utah for its positive impact in the area with a check donation of $10,000. The contribution is part of the Pure Growth Project, an initiative launched by Pure Farmland in 2020 to ensure community gardens and farms continue to thrive and help increase access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables nationwide. Summit Community Gardens was selected a 2021 grant recipient to support its mission to empower the local community to gather and garden at high altitude and provide a neighborhood haven of native plants, flowers and trees.
After receiving 103 applications from community gardens and farms across 29 states, 55 organizations were carefully selected to receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, providing a total of $125,000 in financial support to nurture these unique neighborhood spaces. In the spirit of continued growth, Pure Farmland increased its financial commitment by 25% this year in hopes of positively supporting as many green spaces as possible.
Pure Farmland joined Summit Community Gardens to celebrate the local green space's achievements and highlight the amazing impact their hard work has on the neighborhood. The event included a check presentation of $10,000 to help fund the garden's free Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which delivers fresh-grown produce directly to families in need. By creating a weekly delivery option, the garden has been able to break down barriers so neighbors with lack of transportation or busy work schedules can still have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. In an especially difficult time for families facing food insecurity, this grant will allow Summit Community Gardens to double the number of recipients receiving food baskets.
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"Choose Fairtrade. Choose The World You Want." Campaign Raises Awareness Of Fairtrade's Positive Impacts on People and the Planet
Washington, DC
In honor of October as Fair Trade Month, Fairtrade America is launching its second annual, national campaign to generate broader awareness for how a simple action, like purchasing a Fairtrade certified product, can be a powerful way to make a difference in the lives of the almost 2 million farmers and workers participating in Fairtrade across the globe.
The 'Choose Fairtrade. Choose the world you want.' campaign features murals in three major U.S. cities -- Austin, Minneapolis, and Tacoma, Washington --that connect stories of the people who produce the things we enjoy every day, such as cocoa, bananas, coffee and more, to the positive impacts of Fairtrade. Now in its second year, this campaign brought inspiring murals to Denver, Los Angeles and Nashville in 2020. Throughout October, consumers can participate in online giveaways and learn more about Fairtrade via educational resources at choosefairtrade.org. When shoppers see the Fairtrade America label on a product, it means farmers were fairly compensated and the ingredients were sourced in compliance with Fairtrade's rigorous gender equality, fair wage, climate change and child labor standards.
Fairtrade America partnered with notable mural artists and key retailers in three major metropolitan cities where mural art is already a prominent part of the culture. Each mural features real farmers and a key benefit of choosing Fairtrade. While consumer awareness and purchase intent of Fairtrade products is increasing in the U.S., this campaign is intended to reach more Americans and educate them about the value of purchasing Fairtrade certified products. Visit Fairtrade's new Product Finder to easily identify and purchase thousands of certified products.
"We are thrilled to continue a campaign that beautifully celebrates and honors the hardworking farmers and workers who produce the goods we enjoy everyday, while overcoming tremendous challenges to do so," said Peg Willingham, Executive Director of Fairtrade America. "We hope this positive expression of Fairtrade's mission inspires shoppers to give more thought to the people behind the foods they purchase, and opt for Fairtrade certified products when possible. Choosing Fairtrade certified products actively supports initiatives that fight poverty, foster gender equality and more across the globe."
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'Keep your promises' -- COP26 climate call from 1.8 million Fairtrade farmers to world leaders
Washington, DC
An open letter sent on behalf of 1.8 million Fairtrade producers worldwide, ahead of COP26, urges world leaders to keep their promise to provide $100 billion in annual finance to low-income nations disproportionately hit by the climate crisis. The letter criticizes rich nations most responsible for climate change for not honoring their pledges to cut their emissions and adequately support farmers suffering the worst effects of climate breakdown.
Signed by representatives of Fairtrade producer networks in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the letter warns governments that their lack of action is threatening farmers' livelihoods and global food supplies.
Titled 'Be fair with your climate promise,' it says: "We grow the food eaten by people all around the world... But our ability to do so has been badly damaged by the reckless harm done to our environment from years of broken promises concerning the climate crisis.
"You promised to cut the emissions that drive extreme weather, which dry up our fields one day and flood them the next. But emissions are increasing dangerously, while your ambition remains too low. You promised to provide climate finance, to help us keep growing food despite the changing weather. But next to nothing is reaching us."
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SunPower Launches 25X25 Initiative to Make Renewable Energy More Accessible for Historically Marginalized Communities
San Jose, California
Today SunPower Corp., a leading solar technology and energy services provider, launched SunPower 25X25, its new justice, diversity, equity and inclusion (JDE&I) commitments designed to ensure the resiliency and economic benefits of distributed solar and battery storage to serve American families, job-seekers and businesses that have been historically marginalized. The commitments include ambitious targets with initiatives to achieve them by 2025 -- spanning workforce diversity, solar access expansion and dealer diversity programs.
"Distributed solar and battery storage offer tremendous benefit to our environment, are vital in building a resilient energy infrastructure, can provide lower-cost electricity, and create good, well-paying jobs," said Peter Faricy, CEO of SunPower. "We must use this moment-in-time to ensure the rapid deployment of this critical technology benefits all Americans."
SunPower's new commitments align with justice, diversity, equity and inclusion commitments made by the Biden administration, as well as the historic Justice40 Initiative, which commits 40 percent of the benefits of federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities.
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American Lung Association Announces 24 COVID-19 Studies; Focus on 'Long COVID'
Chicago, Illinois
As the nation's trusted champion of lung health, the American Lung Association has announced it is supporting 24 COVID-19 research studies, including a few with National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to determine susceptibility and treatment for 'long COVID.' This research commitment is part of the organization's ongoing three-year $25 million COVID-19 Action Initiative.
Long COVID conditions involve a wide range of new, recurring or ongoing health problems that some people experience four or more weeks after being infected with SARS-CoV-2. Some individuals had mild symptoms or were initially asymptomatic yet are still experiencing long-lasting COVID symptoms post infection. Estimates indicate more than 12 million Americans are presently living with long COVID. Because of the growing number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 survivors, the Lung Association has identified long COVID as a high-priority research area.
The organization has invested in 24 research projects, including the support of grants with the NHLBI, Lung Association's COVID-19 & Respiratory Viruses Research Award, and Airways Clinical Research Centers' ancillary studies. "We're appreciative of the American Lung Association for our ongoing collaboration in lung disease research," said James P. Kiley, Director of the Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "These new supplements to our COVID studies will contribute to an improved understanding of long COVID and better patient outcomes."
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PSYCH Publishes Third Edition of The Psychedelics as Medicine Report
London, England
PSYCH, the premium business-to-business media and content platform for the psychedelic science and healthcare industry, has announced the release of the third issue of its flagship publication, The Psychedelics as Medicine Report.
The Psychedelics as Medicine Report is the most comprehensive account of the global psychedelics industry, with unparalleled market intelligence and insights empowering investors, operators, researchers and regulators to identify emerging opportunities. The report reveals the medical psychedelic market is currently valued at US$190 million, and is expected to exceed US$2.4 billion by 2026.
Attitudes towards psychedelics are shifting dramatically, with two-thirds of Europeans and North Americans supporting the legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Eighty per cent of doctors are familiar with psychedelic research surrounding mental health disorders, with the majority of healthcare providers excited by the prospect of psychedelics as medicines.
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New Partnership Will Deploy COVID-19 and Other Pathogen Detecting Canines Worldwide
Columbus, Ohio
Priority One Canine (P1K9), known worldwide for their elite canine protection force, is excited to announce a joint venture with French biotechnology company Neovacs using emerging technology to elevate canine services and security. The acquisition of the U.S. based company Bio Detection K9 further continues the efforts by the French government, aligning forces in the fight against COVID-19 and other pathogens.
"We are thrilled to have formed a joint venture with France-based Neovacs, continuing the efforts of the French government to deploy a national program for COVID-19 detection using K9 assets," said Wade Morrell, CEO of P1K9. "Seven years after our first appearance on Shark Tank as a startup, and millions of dollars in sales later, P1K9 is extremely proud to close this deal with the support of this COVID-focused biotechnology company."
Bio Detection K9 specializes in the scientific research, development and implementation of canine detection services that address current threats such as COVID-19 and emerging threats of additional biological contagions. The company intends to deploy COVID detecting K9 assets around the world, which will allow the general population to resume life in which they can safely attend much-needed social gatherings and sporting events.
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California Addiction Treatment Center Kicks Off Tree Planting Campaign to Honor 22+ Million Americans in Recovery and Promote Recovery of National Forests
San Juan Capistrano, California
To mark National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October, New Leaf Detox and Treatment in San Juan Capistrano, California announced its "New Leaves for Recovery" campaign to honor those in recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders, and support urgent reforestation of national forests.
An estimated 22+ million Americans, 1 in 10 adults, are in recovery--an achievement lost behind sobering headlines and grim statistics about opioid addiction, relapse, and drug overdose deaths. "People in recovery show there's life beyond addiction, that it's possible to resolve alcohol and substance use issues and lead healthy, productive lives," says New Leaf's Executive Director, Josh Hamburg. "Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of addiction recovery yield important insights about treatment methods to providers, clarify funding emphasis to policy makers, and offer hope and inspiration to those grappling with addiction and their loved ones," he said.
Overcoming addiction is arduous work that is done in private and in recovery community settings and rarely acknowledged. Thus the San Juan Capistrano addiction detox and treatment center launched "New Leaves for Recovery," -- a tree planting campaign with National Forest Foundation -- to honor the 22+ million strong recovery community. The effort celebrates those in recovery, while also promoting recovery of national forests that have been devastated by wildfires, droughts, and other disasters.
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