Sustainability has become a bit of a dirty word for many farmers. But it’s not that farmers don’t want to embrace environmentally conscious practices. It’s that those practices often seem out of reach.
The reality is that too much of the industry-wide conversation focuses on the environmental imperative without acknowledging how these practices should fit into a farmer’s business. This gap in messaging makes it harder for farmers to adopt sustainable products and practices – and for retailers to justify selling them.
One solution for retailers? Change the way you talk about sustainability. Many farmers have practiced sustainability for years under a different name: stewardship. By redefining what good stewardship looks like today – and increasing access to helpful products – you can encourage farmers to practice more sustainable farming. Before we get into the specifics, though, let’s take a closer look at the current state of sustainability in agriculture.
In 2024, Sustainable Farming Can Be a Financial Burden
2024 has been a tough year for farmers. Although land values haven’t changed much, low commodity prices and still-high interest rates have made it hard to turn a profit. In fact, many farmers who successfully grew their operations just a few years ago now face the heaviest financial burden as they navigate an unforgiving market.
What does all of this mean for sustainable farming? With financial pressures this strong, farmers have to make tough choices about which inputs and practices they can afford. In many cases, cost – not environmental impact – is the deciding factor. Farmers are hesitant to take a chance on premium products, especially if they fail to boost (or worse, negatively impact) crop yields.
You can lower the barrier to entry by helping farmers understand that sustainability doesn’t have to be all or nothing. With a mindset of ongoing stewardship, there’s room for sustainable practices that align with farmers’ financial needs. We’ll explain how in the next section.
A Mindset of Stewardship Acknowledges Different Levels of Sustainability
Many farmers care for land that’s been in their families for generations – and they plan to keep it that way for generations to come. A mindset of stewardship acknowledges that need by balancing responsible land management with profitability.
It’s helpful to think of stewardship as existing within a hierarchy of sustainability (see Figure 1). At the base level, good stewardship simply means the ability to operate a farm year after year. The farmer’s first priority is generating enough revenue to cover expenses, support their family, and maintain ownership of the land.
Once those fundamentals are in place, farmers can turn their attention to sustainable practices like lower nutrient use, reduced tillage, cover cropping, etc. And as they move up the hierarchy of sustainability they can embrace increasingly sophisticated inputs.
But farmers don’t need to engage with advanced sustainability practices at all times. If economic conditions change (say, due to steep inflation or a natural disaster), they can adjust the practices they employ to better align with their financial health. This way, they’re able to continue stewarding the land under their care without wrecking their bottom line.
Figure 1: The hierarchy of sustainability
Retailers can support farmers at every level of stewardship. The key is to provide the right guidance up front – along with financial tools that lower the risk of adopting sustainable inputs and practices.
To Enable Good Stewardship, Offer Great Guidance about Sustainability and Lower the Financial Risk
Good stewardship isn’t always straightforward. For instance, consider a farmer who wants to improve their nutrient management. The big-picture goal might be to reduce nutrient use. But which nitrification inhibitor works best for the soil on their property? And how can they best implement the “Four Rs” of nutrient stewardship (right source, right rate, right time, and right place)?
Your agronomists can answer each of these questions and more. They already serve as farmers’ trusted advisors. You can lean into this relationship by empowering agronomists to tailor product recommendations to each farmer’s particular circumstances. This way, sustainability doesn’t have to come at the cost of yields.
You can further derisk sustainable product adoption with warranties and input financing. Warranties serve as a safety net for farmers trying new sustainable practices. So if a farmer adopts a recommended nitrification inhibitor and sees a dip in yields, they can make a warranty claim to cover the shortfall. This kind of assurance makes it easier for farmers to commit to sustainable changes; they’re protected if things don’t go as planned.
Input financing adds another layer of support at the point of sale. Instead of foregoing critical new crop inputs to keep costs low, farmers may opt to finance alternatives – and make payments at the right pace for their operation.
The takeaway? With expert guidance and financial flexibility, farmers can more readily embrace sustainable practices while protecting their bottom line.
Keep Farms Healthy for Generations to Come
Stewardship gives farmers a practical lens through which they can think about sustainability. At its core, stewardship simply means making smart choices that protect the farm and the land around it.
One of the best parts of this mindset is that good stewardship doesn’t have to be eye-wateringly expensive or risky. With financial tools like the ones we’ve discussed, you can give farmers more pragmatic ways to practice sustainable farming. After all, when farmers feel confident in their ability to mitigate loss and manage upfront costs, they’re more likely to make more sustainable choices that can help their land thrive for generations to come.
If you want a hassle-free way to introduce warranties and input financing, Growers Edge can help. Reach out today to start a conversation.