Pollinators play a vital role in our world. Not only do 75% of the world’s flowering plants rely on pollinators, but 35% of our food crops require animal pollination (e.g. bees, butterflies and birds) to thrive. In just the US, pollinators contribute $24 billion annually to the economy. Unfortunately, our most prominent pollinators are facing habitat […]
The Current State of Pollinators Read More »
Fall is known for many things: colorful leaves, bonfires, apple cider, jacket weather, and a lot of pumpkin-spiced items. For hunters, however, fall is best known as the start of hunting season. Between October and November, hunting licenses for pheasants, ducks, deer, and more become available, allowing countless hunters to enjoy this time-honored tradition. But hunting is
How CRP Helps Keep Hunting Alive Read More »
Farmers have long relied on synthetic fertilizers to provide their crops with much needed nitrogen. Though nitrogen makes up 80% of our air, this gaseous state is unusable for plants. Fertilizers, on the other hand, are filled with nitrates, chemical compounds that provide plants with easily absorbed nitrogen. While effective at helping plant life thrive, these
Synthetic Fertilizers and the Dangers of Nitrogen Pollution Read More »
As support for a regulated carbon market continues to grow, many parties are eager to join. A carbon market incentivizes participants to reduce emissions and/or store carbon. These actions provide them with carbon credits which they can then sell to other parties in the market. Though carbon markets do exist in select US areas, pricing structures aren’t well regulated, and participation is restrictive, especially for
How Farmers Can Join the Carbon Market Read More »
As global temperatures have continued to rise in modern times, there has been an increasingly vocal push for a reduction in CO2 emissions. From a business standpoint, however, green initiatives are often equated with added expenses, scaling back of productions, excessive red tape, and ultimately, a decrease in profits. That’s why many are hoping that the promotion of carbon markets can help change how industries see CO2 reduction. Carbon
The Carbon Market: Incentivizing CO2 Reduction Read More »
The increased presence of CO2 in the air poses a number of threats as temperatures around the world rise. Farmers rely on consistent patterns and cycles to effectively cultivate their crops. Increased CO2 disrupts these cycles, ultimately leading to poor crop health and lower yields. It is also believed to be a cause behind the population declines of major pollinators, which are critical to the farming industry. By reducing the
Is Herbaceous Carbon Sequestration the Key to Lowering the Earth’s CO2 Levels? Read More »
Only about .04% of the air we breathe is made up of carbon dioxide, yet it plays a critical role in our world. Unlike nitrogen and oxygen, carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbs heat. This creates a natural greenhouse effect as the carbon dioxide traps the sun’s rays and helps heat our planet. Without it, our world would be 59 degrees colder and plant
The Relationship Between Carbon Levels and Agriculture Read More »
Haying and grazing can be performed under CRP in certain situations where it either improves the quality and performance of the land or provides emergency relief to livestock. While it can be beneficial for CRP contract holders to utilize haying and/or grazing on their CRP acres, they need to be authorized to do so, and they must follow the rules. There are two types
Understanding Haying and Grazing in CRP Read More »
Water is one of our most precious resources, second only to the air we breathe. While we’ve generally had an abundance of fresh, useable water across the US, that has slowly been changing. Freshwater usage has tripled in the last 50 years, and it only continues to rise. Meanwhile, water shortages are becoming increasingly common in America. Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico,
Protecting Water Supplies Through Agriculture Read More »
Last month, Cargill announced their commitment to reducing water waste and restoring water supplies across the world. In addition to eliminating 11 million pounds of water pollutants and providing access to safe drinking water, they are working to restore 159 billion gallons of water to priority watersheds by 2030. They are doing this through a multi-faceted approach. To reduce water waste, they are utilizing smart irrigation technology that improves the
Cargill’s Water Saving Initiative and the Impact of Agriculture on Our Water Read More »