Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
@iatp.bsky.social
IATP works at the intersection of policy & practice to ensure fair & sustainable food, farm & trade systems.
Offices in Minneapolis, D.C. and Berlin.
iatp.org
Offices in Minneapolis, D.C. and Berlin.
iatp.org
The Trump administration recently announced the launch of the Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, a gesture toward “MAHA” promises to reform America’s broken food systems. We took a look at the details of the plan. Unsurprisingly, it falls far short of what is needed. www.iatp.org/new-regenera...
USDA’s new Regenerative Agriculture Initiative: A step forward or greenwashing?
In late 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of a Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Pr...
www.iatp.org
February 10, 2026 at 6:20 PM
The Trump administration recently announced the launch of the Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, a gesture toward “MAHA” promises to reform America’s broken food systems. We took a look at the details of the plan. Unsurprisingly, it falls far short of what is needed. www.iatp.org/new-regenera...
Despite being major sources of the potent greenhouse gas methane, factory farms aren’t required to report their emissions. In recent years, researchers have begun using satellite imaging to detect methane plumes from factory farms — but the picture is still incomplete. www.iatp.org/factory-farm...
Flying Under the Radar: Gaps in satellite detection of factory farm methane emissions
Summary
www.iatp.org
February 9, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Despite being major sources of the potent greenhouse gas methane, factory farms aren’t required to report their emissions. In recent years, researchers have begun using satellite imaging to detect methane plumes from factory farms — but the picture is still incomplete. www.iatp.org/factory-farm...
NEW: USDA & HHS recently announced the launch of the "Regenerative Agriculture Initiative" (RAI), which sets aside $700 million in existing conservation funds for practices designated as “regenerative.” The program has potential — but falls fall short of what is needed. www.iatp.org/new-regenera...
USDA’s new Regenerative Agriculture Initiative: A step forward or greenwashing?
In late 2025, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the launch of a Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Pr...
www.iatp.org
February 5, 2026 at 8:59 PM
NEW: USDA & HHS recently announced the launch of the "Regenerative Agriculture Initiative" (RAI), which sets aside $700 million in existing conservation funds for practices designated as “regenerative.” The program has potential — but falls fall short of what is needed. www.iatp.org/new-regenera...
Last week, IATP and the @ips-dc.org submitted comments to the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Climate Change for an upcoming study on food systems built to prevent climate harm and protect human rights.
Read the full submission and introduction in our latest article: www.iatp.org/comments-int...
Read the full submission and introduction in our latest article: www.iatp.org/comments-int...
IATP comments on the intersection of climate change, food systems, and human rights
The challenges to our climate and food systems intersect in important ways, not only because of the impacts of erratic weather on food production or the emissions generated by agricultural production,...
www.iatp.org
February 3, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Last week, IATP and the @ips-dc.org submitted comments to the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Climate Change for an upcoming study on food systems built to prevent climate harm and protect human rights.
Read the full submission and introduction in our latest article: www.iatp.org/comments-int...
Read the full submission and introduction in our latest article: www.iatp.org/comments-int...
As the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Climate Change prepares for a major study on transforming food systems to protect human rights & prevent climate harm, IATP & @ips-dc.org submitted comments highlighting how policies protecting corporations are key barriers to progress. www.iatp.org/comments-int...
IATP comments on the intersection of climate change, food systems, and human rights
The challenges to our climate and food systems intersect in important ways, not only because of the impacts of erratic weather on food production or the emissions generated by agricultural production,...
www.iatp.org
February 3, 2026 at 8:21 PM
As the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Climate Change prepares for a major study on transforming food systems to protect human rights & prevent climate harm, IATP & @ips-dc.org submitted comments highlighting how policies protecting corporations are key barriers to progress. www.iatp.org/comments-int...
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) can fund on-farm renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. But funds are limited, and grants for industrial-scale manure digesters lock in the factory farm system and close out smaller farms from support. insideclimatenews.org/news/2801202...
Are Incentives for Fuel Made from Livestock Manure Leaving Small Farmers Behind? - Inside Climate News
Biogas made from dairy and pig manure has long been an energy source non grata for environmental groups across the country. The fuel is touted by agribusiness, utilities and renewable natural gas dev...
insideclimatenews.org
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) can fund on-farm renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. But funds are limited, and grants for industrial-scale manure digesters lock in the factory farm system and close out smaller farms from support. insideclimatenews.org/news/2801202...
NEW: With an influx of IRA funding, EQIP conservation practices designated as “climate-smart” quickly became the most popular contracts in Midwest states. This step forward for climate resilience is now at risk following changes to EQIP funding in the latest budget bill. www.iatp.org/climate-smar...
Climate-smart farming has risen the ranks in Midwest states
Since 2021, EQIP contracts for "climate-smart" practices have increased above general practices in all 12 Midwest states with help from IRA funding Summary
www.iatp.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:08 PM
NEW: With an influx of IRA funding, EQIP conservation practices designated as “climate-smart” quickly became the most popular contracts in Midwest states. This step forward for climate resilience is now at risk following changes to EQIP funding in the latest budget bill. www.iatp.org/climate-smar...
New from IATP Europe: Germany's biogas industry is propped up by public subsidies and has had consequences for the environment & agriculture sector. Learning from Germany’s mistakes, the EU should only include biogas as one part of a holistic food system transformation. www.iatp.org/germany-biog...
Learning from Germany’s decades of public biogas support
While biogas — energy produced mostly from crops or animal manure — has long been promoted as part of the European Union’s (EU) energy transition, it now receives renewed attention as a tool to addres...
www.iatp.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:59 PM
New from IATP Europe: Germany's biogas industry is propped up by public subsidies and has had consequences for the environment & agriculture sector. Learning from Germany’s mistakes, the EU should only include biogas as one part of a holistic food system transformation. www.iatp.org/germany-biog...
IATP will be closed Friday as we join the state-wide strike to halt economic activity in Minnesota and demand ICE leave our state. www.iatp.org/iatp-joins-i...
IATP joins ICE OUT Minnesota statewide strike
IATP is joining hundreds of businesses, faith communities, labor unions, schools, and nonprofits across Minnesota on Friday, January 23 in closing our office doors and putting away our keyboards for I...
www.iatp.org
January 21, 2026 at 7:51 PM
IATP will be closed Friday as we join the state-wide strike to halt economic activity in Minnesota and demand ICE leave our state. www.iatp.org/iatp-joins-i...
Reposted by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Here - I write about the emergency bailout cycle for farmers without a plan to address fundamental issues (low prices, high costs, corp concentration, dysfunctional trade policy). Cycle of emergency bailouts likely to continue.
Trump’s trade wars have ravaged an already fragile farm economy, between lost export markets & soaring input costs. On New Year’s Eve, USDA announced the details of yet another farm bailout plan, with no plan to address the root problems and no end to the cycle in sight. www.iatp.org/trump-bailou...
Trump administration throws money at an emerging farm crisis, with no end in sight
On New Year’s Eve, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the details for $11 billion of a $12 billion farm bailout plan.
www.iatp.org
January 21, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Here - I write about the emergency bailout cycle for farmers without a plan to address fundamental issues (low prices, high costs, corp concentration, dysfunctional trade policy). Cycle of emergency bailouts likely to continue.
Trump’s trade wars have ravaged an already fragile farm economy, between lost export markets & soaring input costs. On New Year’s Eve, USDA announced the details of yet another farm bailout plan, with no plan to address the root problems and no end to the cycle in sight. www.iatp.org/trump-bailou...
Trump administration throws money at an emerging farm crisis, with no end in sight
On New Year’s Eve, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the details for $11 billion of a $12 billion farm bailout plan.
www.iatp.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Trump’s trade wars have ravaged an already fragile farm economy, between lost export markets & soaring input costs. On New Year’s Eve, USDA announced the details of yet another farm bailout plan, with no plan to address the root problems and no end to the cycle in sight. www.iatp.org/trump-bailou...
While we work nationally & internationally, IATP is deeply rooted in our home state of Minnesota and our city of Minneapolis, where we have been based since our founding nearly 40 years ago. Our community has been facing a surge of ICE violence. Here’s how you can help: www.iatp.org/ice-in-minne...
An Update from Minneapolis: What’s going on, and how you can help
While we work nationally and internationally, IATP is deeply rooted in our home state of Minnesota and our city of Minneapolis, where we have been based since our founding nearly 40 years ago.
www.iatp.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
While we work nationally & internationally, IATP is deeply rooted in our home state of Minnesota and our city of Minneapolis, where we have been based since our founding nearly 40 years ago. Our community has been facing a surge of ICE violence. Here’s how you can help: www.iatp.org/ice-in-minne...
“This is kind of a perfect storm, and that’s why people are really concerned about a potential emerging farm crisis, if it’s not already here." @benlilliston.bsky.social
“When [the federal government] starts using my commodity as some sort of leverage, some sort of weapon, I'm the one that suffers.” - Farmers face the aftermath of a soybean showdown between the U.S. and China.
Soybean Wars: When a Commodity Becomes a Political Weapon
A boycott on soybeans by China left U.S. soybean farmers without their primary customer for the bulk of 2025, with many still struggling after China agreed to resume purchasing in October. Soybeans were just one of dozens of farm products that saw lower prices in 2025 because of global trade wars initiated by President Trump, who slapped tariffs on nearly every country in the world this past year.
dailyyonder.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:30 PM
“This is kind of a perfect storm, and that’s why people are really concerned about a potential emerging farm crisis, if it’s not already here." @benlilliston.bsky.social
Amid ICE violence in Minnesota, USDA announced Friday that federal financial awards to the state would be suspended, citing unproven accusations of fraud. Confusion remains about which programs will be impacted — but the move continues a concerning trend from USDA. www.iatp.org/usda-funding...
USDA funding freeze is latest in string of federal attacks on Minnesota programs
The announcement continues a concerning trend of partisanship within the USDA, hurting its credibility and harming our farmers, rural communities, and those facing hunger
www.iatp.org
January 14, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Amid ICE violence in Minnesota, USDA announced Friday that federal financial awards to the state would be suspended, citing unproven accusations of fraud. Confusion remains about which programs will be impacted — but the move continues a concerning trend from USDA. www.iatp.org/usda-funding...
NEW: Late Friday afternoon, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a suspension of USDA funds to Minnesota — the latest action in a dangerous trend of partisanship from the agency. Four days later, the state still lacks clarity about which programs will be impacted. www.iatp.org/usda-funding...
USDA funding freeze is latest in string of federal attacks on Minnesota programs
The announcement continues a concerning trend of partisanship within the USDA, hurting its credibility and harming our farmers, rural communities, and those facing hunger
www.iatp.org
January 13, 2026 at 10:13 PM
NEW: Late Friday afternoon, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a suspension of USDA funds to Minnesota — the latest action in a dangerous trend of partisanship from the agency. Four days later, the state still lacks clarity about which programs will be impacted. www.iatp.org/usda-funding...
IATP condemns the murder of Renee Nicole Good yesterday at the hands of ICE agents. ICE has brought chaos and violence to our city of Minneapolis and across the U.S. No one in our communities should have to endure this — regardless of citizenship status. We call for ICE to be abolished immediately.
January 8, 2026 at 6:27 PM
IATP condemns the murder of Renee Nicole Good yesterday at the hands of ICE agents. ICE has brought chaos and violence to our city of Minneapolis and across the U.S. No one in our communities should have to endure this — regardless of citizenship status. We call for ICE to be abolished immediately.
This week is the Oxford Real Farming Conference, an alternative farming conference which brings together voices from across the food system in the U.K. and beyond. IATP’s Sophia Murphy will speak on a panel this Friday, available to stream live for online ticketholders: orfc.org.uk/session/food...
Food, Trade And Turmoil: Navigating Global Disorder - Oxford Real Farming Conference
Sweeping US tariffs are sending shockwaves through global markets, sparking retaliations, market upheaval & fears of a global recession. The Global South — already grappling with a historic debt crisi...
orfc.org.uk
January 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM
This week is the Oxford Real Farming Conference, an alternative farming conference which brings together voices from across the food system in the U.K. and beyond. IATP’s Sophia Murphy will speak on a panel this Friday, available to stream live for online ticketholders: orfc.org.uk/session/food...
From tracking food & climate issues through a tumultuous year to drafting a new model treaty for sustainable agriculture and trade, 2025 kept us busy!
Read Executive Director Sophia Murphy's blog reflecting on the year, and what we're looking forward to taking on in 2026. www.iatp.org/2025-review
Read Executive Director Sophia Murphy's blog reflecting on the year, and what we're looking forward to taking on in 2026. www.iatp.org/2025-review
2025: A Challenging Year in Review, and What’s Next
From tracking food and climate issues through a tumultuous year to drafting a new model treaty for sustainable agriculture and trade, 2025 has kept us busy.
www.iatp.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
From tracking food & climate issues through a tumultuous year to drafting a new model treaty for sustainable agriculture and trade, 2025 kept us busy!
Read Executive Director Sophia Murphy's blog reflecting on the year, and what we're looking forward to taking on in 2026. www.iatp.org/2025-review
Read Executive Director Sophia Murphy's blog reflecting on the year, and what we're looking forward to taking on in 2026. www.iatp.org/2025-review
2025 was a challenging year, but we accomplished a lot! Here’s a look back on some of our work, achievements, and moments of joy from this year!
youtube.com/shorts/U7jW0...
youtube.com/shorts/U7jW0...
IATP's 2025 Wrapped
YouTube video by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
2025 was a challenging year, but we accomplished a lot! Here’s a look back on some of our work, achievements, and moments of joy from this year!
youtube.com/shorts/U7jW0...
youtube.com/shorts/U7jW0...
For years, well over half of farmer applicants to a key farmer conservation cost-share program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), have been turned away. Meanwhile, expensive and polluting practices have been eating up a disproportionate share of the program's dollars. (1/2)
Costly versus cost-effective
This report takes a close look at the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a farmer-focused conservation cost-share program. In the report, we examine the agricultural practices that EQIP ...
www.iatp.org
December 16, 2025 at 10:02 PM
For years, well over half of farmer applicants to a key farmer conservation cost-share program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), have been turned away. Meanwhile, expensive and polluting practices have been eating up a disproportionate share of the program's dollars. (1/2)
NEW: Cutting livestock methane emissions is one of the fastest ways to slow the worsening climate crisis. Our latest publication makes the case for downscaling and transforming the livestock industry in the U.S. and EU to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
www.iatp.org/climates-eme...
www.iatp.org/climates-eme...
Climate's Emergency Brake: The imperative for a livestock transition to slow global warming
Download a PDF of this policy brief here.
www.iatp.org
December 10, 2025 at 6:12 PM
NEW: Cutting livestock methane emissions is one of the fastest ways to slow the worsening climate crisis. Our latest publication makes the case for downscaling and transforming the livestock industry in the U.S. and EU to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
www.iatp.org/climates-eme...
www.iatp.org/climates-eme...
The Trump administration announced a $12 billion farmer bailout package today, to compensate for diminished export markets caused by the administration’s chaotic trade policies. But this aid package is an inadequate response to a deeply broken agriculture economy. www.iatp.org/farmer-bailo...
Farmer bailout package is a quick fix that fails to address systemic issues
MINNEAPOLIS — The Trump administration announced a $12 billion farmer bailout package today, created to soften the blow of diminished export markets due to the administration’s own chaotic trade polic...
www.iatp.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The Trump administration announced a $12 billion farmer bailout package today, to compensate for diminished export markets caused by the administration’s chaotic trade policies. But this aid package is an inadequate response to a deeply broken agriculture economy. www.iatp.org/farmer-bailo...
With the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) up for review, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative is holding hearings this week in Washington. IATP’s Karen Hansen-Kuhn testified on Wednesday, calling for three main changes to the trade agreement: www.iatp.org/usmca-review...
USMCA in Review: 3 changes we want to see for more just, transparent trade policy
This week, IATP testified in hearings convened by the office of the U.S. Trade Representative on what should be addressed in the formal review of the U.S.-Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The hearing ...
www.iatp.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
With the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) up for review, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative is holding hearings this week in Washington. IATP’s Karen Hansen-Kuhn testified on Wednesday, calling for three main changes to the trade agreement: www.iatp.org/usmca-review...
In 2020, governments signed on to the Global Methane Pledge, agreeing to cut methane pollution substantially by 2030. So far, at the halfway point to the 2030 deadline, they’re failing to deliver. www.iatp.org/global-metha...
Global action on cutting methane pollution is falling short: Why this matters for agriculture
www.iatp.org
December 4, 2025 at 6:44 PM
In 2020, governments signed on to the Global Methane Pledge, agreeing to cut methane pollution substantially by 2030. So far, at the halfway point to the 2030 deadline, they’re failing to deliver. www.iatp.org/global-metha...
Reposted by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
We urged the US Trade Rep to prioritize the inclusion of mandatory Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL) for meat and to back off attacking Canada's dairy supply management program in the USMCA review - www.thefencepost.com/news/most-ag...
Most ag groups urge 16-year extension of USMCA
At a public hearing Wednesday in preparation for the first six-year joint review of the U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, a series of mainstream agricultural groups urged the Trump administration to ext...
www.thefencepost.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:29 PM
We urged the US Trade Rep to prioritize the inclusion of mandatory Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL) for meat and to back off attacking Canada's dairy supply management program in the USMCA review - www.thefencepost.com/news/most-ag...