A New Generation Cultivates Tomorrow with Sustainable Farming – The Rockefeller Foundation

A New Generation Cultivates Tomorrow with Sustainable Farming

Meet Barsness, a young farmer who is passionate about sustainable farming. For him, working with his hands in the natural world is not only fulfilling but also a way to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Preserving Family Traditions and Building a Sustainable Future

Barsness is grateful for the notebooks his grandfather left behind, which contain detailed records of the farm’s activities. These records document when fields were tilled, planted, and harvested, as well as weather patterns and other important details. This sense of history and connection to the land motivates Barsness to continue his family’s legacy.

Living in his grandparents’ century-old home, Barsness feels a deep connection to his roots. He cherishes the memories of visiting and playing on the farm as a child. His home is filled with reminders of his family’s farming heritage, including a piano in the kitchen and a pottery shed taking shape outside.

Barsness often feels his grandfather’s presence, especially when he sees the tools and equipment that remain exactly as his grandfather left them. Each bolt represents a project, a story, and a moment in time. This connection to the past inspires Barsness to be a good steward of the land, just like his grandfather.

Continuing the Family Tradition with Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Although Barsness is the first in his family to venture into regenerative organic agriculture, he sees it as a continuation of his family tradition. He believes that sustainable farming practices align with his values and contribute to the SDGs.

By practicing regenerative organic agriculture, Barsness aims to promote sustainable land use, protect biodiversity, and reduce the environmental impact of farming. These efforts directly contribute to SDG 15: Life on Land and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Furthermore, Barsness recognizes the importance of sustainable farming in addressing global challenges such as food security, poverty alleviation, and climate change. By adopting sustainable practices, he contributes to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 13: Climate Action.

Conclusion

Barsness’s passion for sustainable farming not only preserves his family’s traditions but also contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. Through regenerative organic agriculture, he strives to build a sustainable future, protect the environment, and address pressing global challenges. Barsness’s dedication and commitment serve as an inspiration for future generations of farmers to embrace sustainable practices and work towards a more sustainable and equitable world.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. Specific Targets Identified:

• SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
• SDG 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

3. Indicators:

• Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
• Indicator 12.3.1: Global food loss index.
• Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

Explanation:

The article highlights the story of a farmer who practices regenerative organic agriculture, which is connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The farmer’s practice of sustainable agriculture contributes to SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger. By implementing resilient agricultural practices and increasing productivity, sustainable food production systems can be established, ensuring food security and reducing hunger.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The farmer’s commitment to regenerative organic agriculture aligns with SDG 12, which focuses on responsible consumption and production. By adopting sustainable farming practices, such as reducing chemical inputs and promoting soil health, the farmer contributes to more sustainable and environmentally friendly food production.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

The farmer’s efforts in regenerative organic agriculture also support SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. By implementing sustainable land management practices, such as improving soil quality and preserving biodiversity, the farmer contributes to the conservation of land and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

Based on the article’s content, specific targets can be identified:

1. SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

The farmer’s practice of regenerative organic agriculture aligns with this target by implementing resilient agricultural practices, improving land and soil quality, and maintaining ecosystems.

2. SDG 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

While not explicitly mentioned in the article, the farmer’s focus on sustainable agriculture and responsible production contributes to reducing food waste and losses along the production and supply chains.

3. SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

The article does not directly address this target. However, sustainable agriculture practices, such as regenerative organic farming, contribute to the preservation of forests and the prevention of deforestation by reducing the need for land conversion for agriculture.

The article mentions or implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.

The farmer’s adoption of regenerative organic agriculture can be measured using this indicator, which assesses the proportion of agricultural land that follows sustainable and productive practices.

2. Indicator 12.3.1: Global food loss index.

Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, the farmer’s efforts in reducing food waste and losses contribute to the overall goal of reducing global food loss. This indicator measures the extent of food loss along the production and supply chains.

3. Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

While not directly mentioned in the article, the farmer’s practice of regenerative organic agriculture contributes to sustainable forest management by reducing the need for deforestation and promoting sustainable land use practices.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators:

Source: rockefellerfoundation.org