Iowa could lead sustainable farming revolution with new practices, writes natural resources professor - Entrepreneur Generations

Politicians pay a lot of attention to Iowa because it holds the first caucuses in the presidential election, but the state's agriculture issues still don't get the attention they deserve, writes Lisa Schulte Moore for The Conversation. Schulte is a Natural Resource Ecology and Management professor at Iowa State University.

Schulte believes Iowa is well-placed to tackle the environmental and economic issues associated with monoculture farming. "Iowa is a leading global producer of corn, soy, pork, beef, eggs, ethanol, biodiesel, biochemicals and agricultural technology. Because it is home to just 3.2 million people, Iowa farmers export the vast majority of what they produce," Schulte writes. "Most multinational agricultural businesses have Iowa offices, and the state also has considerable influence on U.S. Farm Bill legislation."

Iowan farmers are well aware of the problems that come with modern farming (including soil degradation, water contamination, flooding) and many are trying to reduce them as much as "operational, financial and social conditions allow," Schulte writes. Plenty of groups are pitching in to help, including Iowa State University scientists, Practical Farmers of Iowa, and the state chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

A growing number of Iowa farmers are adopting more environmentally sustainable practices in hopes of preserving the state's water and soil resources, Mark Bittman reports for PBS NewsHour Weekend. For instance, sixth-generation corn and soybean farmer Sam Bennett has begun adding small grains like oats and rye into his crop rotation. "This practice of growing a variety of crops — taking a break from the corn and soy beans — is called 'diversified crop rotations.' Bennett says he plants these crops closer together, so there are more of them. That means more roots in the soil, which improves soil and water quality," Bittman reports.

Schulte writes that market demand will continue driving the shift toward more economically and environmentally sustainable farming methods, and that federal policies and new technologies will aid in this. But, a more unified and widespread effort could yield impressive results, she writes: "Such an effort could usher in a new era of economic and environmental wealth in Farm Belt states. It would start with investing in regenerative systems – farming methods that produce agricultural goods and services while also improving soil and water resources, unique habitats and pastoral countrysides. And it would require simultaneous investments in rural infrastructure, new businesses and local and regional markets."

Sam Bennett thinks it's time for a shake-up in agriculture. "I think my dad comes from a generation that if you work harder you'll be more successful," he told Bittman. "And I think what I'd like to say in my generation is that if you work smarter, you'll be more successful and taking on some of these newer practices some of these sustainable practices is working smarter."

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/35I9dnA Iowa could lead sustainable farming revolution with new practices, writes natural resources professor - Entrepreneur Generations

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