Long-term farm success depends on sustainable practices
March 23, 2020 – An American poet once said, "Nature is not a place to visit, it is home." This quote especially rings true for farmers and ranchers. The March 22ndSustainable, Secure Food blog explores why farmers care so much about conservation.
Blogger Rachel Leege explains, "It's easy to find examples of public land being set aside for conservation efforts and wildlife habitat. However, conservation on private lands makes up the majority of habitat for wildlife in the United States. Private landowners, like farmers, play a vital role in the game of conservation."
Ultimately, farmers cannot afford to not take care of the land – it supplies their income, recreation and future dreams. Over 90% of American farms are family owned. So, the preservation of natural resources will also likely determine the success of a farm as it's handed down to the generations to come. Caring for these resources is also like an unwritten agreement between neighbors, as the resources, like water, are shared.
"Farmers and ranchers are looking into ways to protect the ecological balance on their land now more than ever," says Leege. "And, the public is paying attention."
In this blog, Leege explores how natural systems were broken, farmer challenges and solutions, and restoring ecological balance.
"It's hard to find anyone who doesn't love the outdoors. We care about the environment, and we want to protect our natural ecosystems. Farmers are right there with us!"
To learn more about the conservation efforts of farmers, read the new Sustainable, Secure Food blog: sustainable-secure-food-blog.com/2020/03/22/why-do-farmers-care-about-conservation
The American Society of Agronomy is an international scientific and professional society with its headquarters in Madison, WI. Our members are researchers and trained, certified professionals in the areas of growing our world's food supply, while protecting our environment. We work at universities, government research facilities and private businesses across the United States and the world.
