SAN CARLOS, Calif. & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GradableTM, one of the leading technology and services provider that facilitates the scoring, sourcing, and pricing of Low-Carbon Grain from farm-to-fork, today announced the appointment of the Gradable Environmental Advisory Board, which includes representatives from the Environmental Defense Fund, Argonne National Laboratory, The Nature Conservancy®, and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR).
Gradable enables comprehensive environmental transparency, and supports a market for premium, environmentally-scored grain. Gradable also provides buying intelligence software that directly connects farmers with consumer packaged goods companies, animal feed providers, biofuel makers and the world’s other major grain buyers.
The Gradable Environmental Advisory Board will provide third-party scientific, agronomic, and economic counsel for Gradable initiatives. These efforts help maximize the positive environmental impacts of these campaigns and assist Gradable in aligning stakeholders in the agriculture supply chain, from farmers to grain buyers to consumer packaged goods companies to policymakers around practical solutions.
Board members represent numerous world-class research organizations and environmental groups around the globe.
The Board includes Jenny Ahlen, Senior Director of Sustainable Food and Products for the Environmental Defense Fund’s EDF+Business program. She works with leading consumer goods companies and retailers to reduce the climate impacts of global supply chains. EDF, one of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law and innovative-private sector partnerships.
“We see enormous opportunities for supply chain and policy innovations that reward farmers for climate-smart practices,” Ahlen said. “By increasing conservation data availability and transparency, Gradable can enable solutions that deliver results for farmers, businesses and the planet. We're excited to be part of this effort.”
The Nature Conservancy's director of agriculture innovation, Renée Vassilos, has also joined the Board. Vassilos manages the organization’s investments in innovative companies working to scale regenerative agriculture practices. The Nature Conservancy is one of the world’s leading global conservation organizations dedicated to conserving the lands and waters upon which all life depends.
“If we are truly going to ensure the long-term food security of billions around the world, profitable livelihoods for growers, farmers, and ranchers, and a healthy environment, innovation in regenerative agriculture must be a business imperative,” said Vassilos. “Taking proactive steps to innovate the global food supply chain, while also implementing policy solutions that reward growers for adopting climate-friendly practices, is a win-win for agriculture and the environment.”
Michael Wang, a Distinguished Fellow, Senior Scientist, and Director of the Systems Assessment Center of the Energy Systems Division at Argonne National Laboratory, also joined the Board. At Argonne, he oversees the evaluation of energy and environmental impacts of vehicle technologies, transportation fuels, and energy systems. He is the original developer of Argonne’s GREET® model, which is used by industries and government agencies. Argonne is a multidisciplinary science and engineering research center that seeks solutions to pressing national problems, with a focus on “understanding the planet, climate and cosmos.”
“I am pleased to see that Gradable is benefitting from the GREET model and its results. Credible, transparent carbon footprint results are key to encourage farmers to pursue sustainable farming practices,” Wang added.
Dr. LaKisha Odom, Scientific Program Director at the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) brings expertise on soil health to the board. Founded in 2014, FFAR builds partnerships to address today’s food and agriculture challenges, seeking to enhance the economic and environmental resilience of our food supply.
“We’re proud to welcome the distinguished environmental leaders to our board,” said Devin Lammers, CEO of Gradable. “They’ll bring unparalleled experience and expertise to ensure Gradable maximizes its positive impact on the environment, farmers, rural economies, and beyond.”
The Gradable Environmental Advisory Board will begin by assisting the company in solidifying a carbon intensity scoring model for grain, and will counsel on topics such as soil health, traceability, regenerative agriculture certifications, and farm-level financial instruments.
About Gradable:
Gradable, launched by Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. (FBN®), provides new technology and services that facilitate the scoring, sourcing, and pricing of Low-Carbon Grain, making environmental transparency in the grain industry a reality now. Gradable enables comprehensive environmental transparency and supports a market for premium, environmentally-scored grain. Gradable also provides buying intelligence software that directly connects farmers with consumer packaged goods companies, animal feed providers, biofuel makers and the world’s other major grain buyers.
To learn more, visit www.gradable.com
About FBN:
Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. is an independent ag tech platform and farmer-to-farmer network with a mission to power the prosperity of family farmers around the world, while working towards a sustainable future. Its Farmers First® promise has attracted over 24,000 members to the network with a common goal of maximizing their farm’s profit potential. FBN has set out to redefine value and convenience for farmers by helping reduce the cost of production and maximize the value of their crops.
The FBN network has grown to cover more than 67 million acres of member farms in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Blending the best of Midwestern agricultural roots and Silicon Valley technology, the company has over 600 personnel and offices in San Carlos, Calif., Chicago, Ill., Sioux Falls, S.D., a Canadian Headquarters in High River, Alberta and an Australian Headquarters in Perth.
To learn more, visit: www.fbn.com.
*Fees may apply for certain product and service offerings other than FBN membership.
The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” and “Farmers First” are registered trademarks or service marks of Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. GREET is a registered trademark of the Argonne National Laboratory. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
