Visit to the Netherlands Highlights Trade and Climate Collaboration

Apr 20, 2023

By Karen Ross

(Photos: Right — Secretary Ross with US Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal, USDA Under Secretary Alexis Taylor, and Josette Lewis of the Almond Board of California. Below — discussing sustainable pest management solutions at Koppert)

The Netherlands portion of California’s Climate Smart Ag Policy Mission began with a focus on trade collaboration and innovation. Joining with the USDA Agricultural Trade Mission to the Netherlands, we were welcomed by U.S. Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal and USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor, who emphasized the Netherlands as an important trading partner as well as a partner on climate and innovation.

Our visits to Royal Steensma’s Food Innovation Academy and Koppert focused on innovation, both within the food industry and in agricultural production.

Royal Steensma highlighted bakery ingredient innovations and also workforce development opportunities provided to young adults and college students to improve engagement and career development within the food system. Royal Steensma is a supplier of a wide range of bakery products that include an array of California almond ingredients.

Crop

At Koppert, we had a chance to engage on sustainability – discussing research and innovation to provide natural solutions for growers and farmers on sustainable pest management. In “Partnering with Nature,” Koppert is working to provide biological solutions to agricultural sustainability challenges and is a strong potential partner in assisting the agricultural sector on California’s Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap.

As we continue our Netherlands visit – I look forward to engaging with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and visiting with producers focusing on circular agriculture and ag tech partnerships.

Source : ca.gov

Video: Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

After weeks of rain delays and frustration, we finally have a reason to smile — it’s hay time again at Ewetopia Farms! In today’s episode, we head out to the fields where Arnie is baling hay, and I attempt my second drone flight to capture it all from the air. The drone still had some hiccups, but I managed to get some aerial footage of the baling process.

Back at the farm, the work doesn’t stop. Arnie brings the bales home, and the next critical step begins — wrapping and stacking the bales to make haylage. This process is essential for preserving feed for our sheep and ensures they have nutritious forage in the months ahead.

It’s a good day on the farm — the sun is out, the drone is flying (sort of!), and we’re making progress. Join us for a satisfying and productive day that brings a long-awaited sigh of relief to this year’s challenging hay season.

?? Let us know in the comments: Have you had to deal with weather delays this season?

?? Thanks for watching and supporting Ewetopia Farms — where every day is an adventure in sheep farming. Please like, comment, and subscribe to follow our daily journey with the flock!