This month, we celebrate World Bee Day. While bees are often seen as a nuisance to people, they actually serve a number of important roles. In addition to providing us honey and wax, bees are our leading pollinators. Pollination is critical to our world. Not only do 75% of the world’s flowering plants rely on pollinators, but 35% of our food […]
Celebrating World Bee Day by Protecting the Bees Read More »
The world is facing a soil crisis, and the US is no exception. More than 50% of America’s topsoil has eroded away. If this continues, we could run out of usable solid in as little as 60 years. Since it takes 500 years to form just 1 inch of topsoil, we don’t have any choice but to protect
Restoring Health to Your Farm’s Soil Read More »
The agriculture industry faces a number of growing challenges. The loss of pollinators and pollinator habitat is making it difficult to grow certain crops. Intensifying scrutiny is being placed on emissions and water pollution caused by farmers. An increasingly global economy causes unexpected demands and market price shifts. The list goes on. But there’s one problem that poses a bigger threat any other: the loss of healthy soil.
Are We Facing a Soil Crisis? Read More »
The new administration continues to promote conservation initiatives across the agriculture industry. Earlier this year, the USDA announced that enrollment for general CRP in 2021 would stay open indefinitely. Now, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced plans to further expand and enhance the program moving forward. It should come as no surprise that the administration is first
USDA Announces Expansion of CRP Read More »
While modern farming provides the foods, materials, and resources that our civilization relies on, it can also negatively impact the surrounding environment in a number of ways. Practices such as excessive tillage, removing natural habitat, and planting the same crop season after season have drained soil of its nutrients and left it exposed. Excess irrigation increases
Implementing Sustainable Farming Practices Read More »
As our population continues to grow, our need for resources grows with it. This ultimately means that farmers need to continue to produce more food, materials, and other goods. In order to do this, however, the agricultural industry needs to ensure that their practices are sustainable. Unsustainable farming practices can lead to serious consequences. During the late 1800s and early 1900s,
The Continuing Problems of Unsustainable Agriculture Read More »
The USDA recently announced they will be extending enrollment in general CRP for 2021. Originally, enrollment was set to close on February 12. As of now, there is no official end date set for closure, and interested parties may continue to submit bids to enter the program. “USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity
USDA Extends Enrollment for General CRP in 2021 Read More »
With the recent switch in US presidents, it’s natural for farmers to wonder how they will be affected over the next four years. After all, emission reduction and environmental protection are top priorities of the Biden administration. With farming’s impact on the environment becoming an increasingly popular topic, the ag industry is likely to become more eco-centric across the board. It’s understandable that farmers might be
How the Paris Climate Agreement Affects Farmers Read More »
The Biden administration has made it clear that environmental protection/sustainability is a primary focus for the next four years. Farmers are expected to play a key role in these efforts by planting cover crops, establishing native vegetation, reducing carbon/nitrogen pollution, and helping sequester carbon. The question is, who is going to pay for it? Though environmental friendliness can provide numerous
What a Carbon Bank Could Mean for US Farmers Read More »
On January 20, 2021, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. Since then, he has passed over 50 executive orders with more on their way. Despite the lingering effects of the global pandemic, climate protection and clean energy remain primary focuses for President Biden’s administration. This includes setting the US on a course of eliminating carbon pollution
How Will the New Administration Impact Farmers? Read More »
