Flip Your Soil: Climate Smart Agriculture New Name for Conservation Practices Designed to Promote Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration

Soli health practices can help Flip Your Soil from good to great.  These practices are also part of the new Climate Smart Agriculture push to sequester carbon and lower greenhouse gases.  

USDA recently announced nearly $3 billion in funding for climate smart agriculture projects, but this isn't a new concept for many farmers, they’ve been climate smart for years.  Nebraska Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Robert Lawson says it’s just a new name for the many conservation practices growers are utilizing on their farms.   "So, when we talk about climate smart ag, we talk about the practices we are implementing day in an day out.   So whether that’s no-till, cover crops, crop rotation, nutrient management, those are some of the specific practices."

The goal, he says, is to improve soil health and promote carbon sequestration.  "Using no-till, cover crops that’s helping to build the organic matter over time and that is only helping improve the soil, reducing erosion and also improving water quality as well."

Farmers are also using technology such as precision agriculture to better manage inputs and nutrients, which also improves soil health.  "Whether that’s irrigation water management and nutrient management and variable rate technology," according to Lawson.  

These conservation practices also help farmers reduce the ever-rising cost of inputs on their farm.   He says, "Oh absolutely it can help with the ledger sheet by reducing tillage practices over the field,  by going no-till, reducing the amount of diesel that you need to buy for the year using cover crops to help with weed suppression so its not another pass over the operation."

Lawson says many farmers integrated these practices into their operations, even before there was government or other incentives because they want their farms to be sustainable.  "They’re the stewards of this land and the reason they are is because they know they want to, they need to keep it for future generations."

And they want to leave the land better than they found it. 

 

Latest News

How new research could prevent frost damage in orchards
How new research could prevent frost damage in orchards

In this podcast episode, Advanced Agriscience's Collin Juurakko shares interesting discoveries he's made about how frost crystals form and how that lead to a potential solution for tree-fruit growers across the globe.

Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show
Cool Creations previews new products at AWG show

North Kansas City, Mo.-based Cool Creations LLC had two new products to show off at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division
Dole, Fresh Express nix sale of fresh vegetables division

Following Department of Justice concerns about competition in the packaged salad market, the companies have abandoned the proposed $308 million deal.

Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list
Fresh Del Monte named to most trusted companies list

Fresh Del Monte is among the honorees on the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024 list, recognized for a commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation in fresh produce.

Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring
Improved conditions for West Mexico produce may arrive with spring

West Mexico growers faced a tough fall/winter season, but distributors believe things are looking up for spring with increased supplies and more reasonable prices.

What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar
What’s next for retail foodservice: Retailers dish up insights in free webinar

"Impact Retail Foodservice 2024" will gather industry experts to discuss opportunities and challenges, as well as share insights for driving growth in the year ahead in one of the hottest departments in grocery.