The critical need for collaborative action to address climate change is becoming more and more apparent as its effects spread over the world. Local farmers are among the groups leading the charge in the fight against climate change. These landowners are vital in promoting sustainable practices that can lessen the consequences of climate change, in addition to providing the food that keeps communities alive.
Making educated decisions that support environmentally friendly practices as consumers can help to magnify the impact of these local efforts. You can support local farmers in the fight against climate change by doing the following things:
Cover crops
Nutrient-rich soil is essential for producing wholesome crops and providing food for animals. The nutrients in the soil can eventually run out and make growth difficult. Some farmers plant cover crops during the non-growing season to save nutrients for the following year and avoid this from happening. Our farms are kept in good condition to produce the food we need for generations by practicing healthy soil management. Additionally, cover crops may aid in carbon sequestration or greenhouse gas mitigation.
Pro tip for home gardeners: A healthy piece of soil should resemble crumbly chocolate cake. You’ll know you’re in the ideal place if your soil has a dark color, breaks up readily, and has a fresh, living smell. If not—perhaps it smells awful or appears musty—it’s time to add manure or compost to the top 10 to 15 centimeters.
Careful tilling
Turning and breaking up the soil is called tilling it. Tilling the soil to allow for the planting of seeds and the removal of weeds is a frequent procedure; however, excessive tilling can interfere with the worm and microbe activity that maintains the soil’s fertility. Some farmers are making every effort to preserve the health of their soil by minimizing or eliminating tilling or even making equipment modifications. Long-term effects of the process are noticeable, as soil revitalization can take years or even decades.
Pro tip for home gardeners: Till only when direct planting is planned or when manure is to be mixed onto the top of a newly created garden bed.
Rotational grazing
Large farm fields are split up into smaller areas for animals to graze on a staggered schedule in a practice known as rotational grazing. It gives plants time to regrow and send deeper roots into the soil, preserving the soil’s structure and ability to hold water, preventing erosion. Rotational grazing contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions and increased soil carbon storage.
Pro tip for home gardeners: You may rotate your garden, too, didn’t you know that? Changing up your garden’s crops from one season to the next will help keep diseases and pest infestations at bay. Additionally, think about planting particular crop varieties next to one another so they can complement one another. Consider how nicely the “three sisters”—squash, corn, and beans—grow in tandem.
Learn more farming tips and how to help fight climate change at https://newscanada.com/en/like-local-farmers-2c-you-too-can-fight-climate-change-137501
Reference: https://newscanada.com
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