As we work to counter the effects of global climate change, carbon accounting—the ways we measure greenhouse gas emissions and reduction—is becoming more important than ever.

In this new field, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide gas emissions from fertilizer use present a problem, not only at the field level, but up through the supply chain to the companies that sell goods produced from the crops that farmers grow.

So making sure that these impacts are being measured accurately is so important, the Securities and Exchange Commission is even considering regulating the emerging carbon marketplace.

And growers have a vested interest in making sure that new regulations don't sap productivity at a field level in pursuit of on-size-fits-all, silver-bullet solutions.

In this episode, Tom and Sally discuss what growers need to know about this increasingly important conversation, and why it's imperative for growers to stay involved in the discussion so they can continue to feed a growing population in the most efficient, environmentally-sound manner possible.

NASCAR drivers may get all the glory.

But just like a grower depends on their hands in the field, a driver depends on the team around them.

And without the eyes in the sky of the team spotter, a NASCAR team would be blind as they tried to coordinate their strategy on the track.

So in this episode, we’re back at the Charlotte Motor Speedway with Brett Griffin, NASCAR spotter for Kaulig racing, owner of Spot-On Activations, and host of the podcast, Door, Bumper, Clear.

He also hosts “Leading the Field,” Nutrien Ag Solutions’ new video series, and we’re going to talk about what he’s learned from touring growing operations across North America, where the business worlds of sustainable agriculture and NASCAR racing intersect, and how NASCAR spotters help foster the teamwork that it takes to win races. 

Over the last six years at Kaulig Racing, Matt Kaulig and Chris Rice have built a winning Xfinity series program, bringing in veteran NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger to lead them to a series of big wins this year and positioning them to compete for a championship in Phoenix.

Similarly, growers are building, growing and planning sustainability in their farming operations year over year as well, prioritizing long-term success.

Nutrien Ag Solutions is proud to be a sponsor of Allmendinger's #16 Chevy Camaro, because he exemplifies the hard work and determination that it takes to find success in the field.

So in this episode, Tom and Sally visit with AJ in the infield at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a few hours before his thrilling comeback win in the Bank of America ROVAL 400.

He tells us what it means to represent agriculture on the track, how cooperation and hard work power success in both the worlds of racing and farming, and how he's positioning himself to bring home a championship this year in Phoenix. 

Growers build their legacy in the farming success they have today, but also the impact they leave for the future.

But if an operation doesn't have the financial support it needs, that could affect its viability for future generations.

So in this episode of the Future. Faster Podcast, we're talking to John Maman, sales and marketing director at Nutrien Financial.

We'll discuss some of the financial tools Nutrien offers for supporting a grower's economic and operational sustainability, how these financing tools support Nutrien's broader ESG goals, and how to limit risk for growers in sustainable practice-specific farming operations.

Plus, Tom and Sally discuss the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in the state of Florida and throughout the American Southeast. They explore what crops and farming operations suffered the most, how the affects will ripple out across the agriculture industry, and what it means for sustainability practices.

Having their hands in the dirt is nothing new to farmers in North America.

But it turns out they're not the only ones "working the field."

In every cubic inch of soil, there's a miniature ecosystem living, breathing and feeding—and the health of that ecosystem can have a vast impact on crop yields, water retention and even the overall success or failure of a given planting season.

So in this episode, we're talking to Lizzie French, a principal scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions' Champagne, Illinois research lab, for a critical year-end overview on ensuring next year’s soil health, and how that can reduce our reliance on other inputs.

We'll talk about soil sampling, cover crops and other critical tools to ensure that your soil is working for you, plus hear about her incredible background as the daughter of missionary parents that sparked her interest in soil management practices.

Plus, Tom and Sally discuss equipping growers with the terminology and tools they need to discuss sustainability practices with consumer products groups, and why that's so important in 2022. 

Another growing season is winding down, and harvest time is upon us in the American South.

And so, in this episode, we'll talk with Nutrien Ag Solutions South Region Agronomist Clara Millsaps to get an update on how the harvest is expected to progress in her area, what sorts of conditions and yields farmers can anticipate this year, and why now is the time to make plans for cover cropping and soil sampling.

It's certainly been a year of extremes in North America, and Clara will tell us how that's impacted the growers she talks to on a regular basis.

Plus, we'll look ahead to how growers can incorporate other sustainable practices into their operations next year, detail the sorts of ROI they can expect, and discuss the regional differences that make some practices better than others for growers in the South.

Clara will offer her insights about which cover crops work best in this unique region, and Tom and Sally will detail how soil sampling can be a game-changer for your sustainability strategy.

Controlling nutrient runoff is essential for protecting waterways, improving water use efficiency and boosting growers' profitability.

So in this episode, Tom and Sally discuss how Nutrien Ag Solutions is helping farmers take on the challenge. Through the Sustainable Nitrogen Outcomes (SNO) program, growers can get paid to reduce their nitrogen use through improved management practices—for example, introducing products like enhanced efficiency fertilizers. Plus, they'll talk about a similar sustainability reporting program by Nutrien's downstream partner Ardent Mills.

What's more, Brandon Laws and Taylor Ivy, senior product marketing managers at Loveland Products, are on the show to talk about how their products can make sustainability goals like more efficient nitrogen use and water management more achievable. They'll be highlighting how their current products fit into sustainability programs like SNO, as well as what impact they have on both crop yield and quality. They'll also be telling us about other upcoming products that will fit into that sustainability portfolio.

For more information on SNO and how Loveland Products fit into the program, go to info.nutrienagsolutions.com/sno

For more information on Ardent Mills's program, contact [email protected].

California is in the middle of a historic drought. And since 1990, average annual water allocation to growers from state water systems has been cut in half as water resources dwindle.

So how do growers plan for their crop when faced with an unreliable water supply?

On this episode, Chris White, General Manager of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, is going to explain how they get water to the 240-thousand acres of agricultural land east of the Diablos. He'll give an in-depth explanation of water transfer markets, including how much it costs and how transportation affects water quality.

He'll also talk about regulatory decisions that have affected water use and distribution in the area, including one which pushes water agencies to achieve groundwater balance by 2040.

Plus, Tom and Sally will be telling us about farmers in the Netherlands protesting government restrictions on nitrogen fertilizer use, how even banks are targeting net-zero scope three carbon emissions goals, and how data-sharing by growers can help negotiate more realistic and effective sustainability practices.

In earning the distinction of being "carbon neutral," Ontario-based Maple Leaf Foods had to reduce its carbon footprint, and then invest in projects that offset its remaining output of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

It certainly wasn't an easy process.

But it was absolutely worth it, according to Director of Sustainability Strategy and Partnerships Mauricio Alanis.

So in this episode, we ask Mauricio why it was so important for Maple Leaf Foods to achieve this goal, how they made it happen, and what it has meant for the company's bottom line. He also shares insights from Maple Leaf's ongoing carbon partnership with Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Plus, Tom and Sally discuss how this summer's water management efforts are playing out across North America, where many growers are dealing with historic drought conditions, while others are stuck with submerged farm fields from *too much* rain.

The agriculture industry isn't the only one grappling with massive supply chain disruptions right now.

But any grower can tell you they're feeling the pinch in the cost of their inputs, which have risen as a result of a cascade of global pressures and unexpected interruptions.

So in this episode, we talk to Mat Taylor, Senior Director of Procurement at Nutrien Ag Solutions, about his experience managing the company's fertilizer supply chains.

He'll help us understand what's causing the disruptions, how ag inputs are shipped around the world, why economic sustainability is an important factor in long term decision making, and how growers can take steps today to help address tomorrow's potential supply chain issues.

Plus, Tom and Sally will discuss notable news from Indigo Agriculture, which has announced that its carbon farming program has produced 20,000 tonnes in soil carbon credits that it will sell as emissions offsets to buyers including JPMorgan Chase, Barclays and the North Face.

They are the first agricultural soil carbon credits to be verified and issued by the Climate Action Reserve, a non-profit registry with the distinction of being the largest state-level climate market.

Read more about the story here.