The Equation

JUNE 5, 2023

Unhealthy soil can be the end of a civilization Not being able to grow grain because of unhealthy soils translated into not being able to feed armies. The intense use of pesticides in the San Joaquin Valley has contributed to air pollution so much that the region is among the top three places with the worst air quality in the United States.

Agriculture 71

Agriculture Agriculture Fertilizer Food 71

Daily Yonder

APRIL 11, 2023

One way to reduce agricultural chemicals is planting cover crops in the Fall after the cash crop is harvested. Winter cover crops could mean using less fertilizer and herbicide in the Spring. This means that many farmers continue to apply herbicides to eliminate a winter cover crop. But the crop duster did.

Farming 52

Farming Farming Acre Seeding 52

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

JULY 14, 2023

Some farmers and researchers like those running the Wisconsin Integrated Systems Cropping Trial are developing increasingly sophisticated polyculture with two or more crop species in the same field at the same time. Rotating crops also significantly reduces pests and diseases.

Agriculture 98

Agriculture Agriculture Crop Rotation Pasture 98

Civil Eats

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

And when nitrates are present, it’s inevitable that other contaminants, such as pesticides , are also polluting the water. So, the program pays a farmer $55 an acre to grow their cover crops to at least 12 inches; at 24 inches, they receive an additional $20 per acre. But what can we do to prevent this in the first place?”

Crop 121

Crop Farming Farming Acre 121

Civil Eats

JULY 9, 2024

It was the annual field day at The Mill , a popular Mid-Atlantic retailer of agricultural products including seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides. During a demo of a drone spraying a pesticide over rows of corn, the operators laughed as a gentle breeze blew the mist toward the onlookers. First, the farmers embarked on a wagon tour.

Pesticide 130

Pesticide Marketing Seeding Fertilizer 130

Civil Eats

JANUARY 23, 2024

Along with reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, practices that build healthy soil, for example, make land more resilient to drought, flooding, wildfires, and erosion. As a result, smaller producers often face greater hurdles in adopting any practices that sit outside the mainstream.

Agriculture 93

Agriculture Agriculture Food Ranching 93