TL/DR –
The changing climate, with more frequent and severe extreme weather events, is significantly impacting U.S. agriculture, food systems, and rural communities. Soil degradation due to these changes is causing a loss of 4.6 tons of American agricultural soil per acre per year, costing farmers and ranchers $44 billion annually, and taxpayers nearly $100 billion. Two farmers advocate for regenerative agriculture, a farming approach that rejuvenates soil and increases biodiversity, as a solution, but state that they need Congress to protect funding for conservation and support the responsible stewardship of lands.
Climate Change and Agriculture: A Call to Action
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, U.S. agriculture and rural communities face grave threats, according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment. Climate change poses significant risks to crop harvests and livestock, our food systems, and the livelihoods of farmers.
Currently, the U.S. loses 4.6 tons of agricultural soil per acre each year. This loss costs farmers and ranchers $44 billion annually and taxpayers nearly $100 billion. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided a much-needed lifeline last year, investing nearly $20 billion in federal conservation programs. These programs, popular among farmers and ranchers, offer resources to rebuild healthy soil, improve water quality, and enhance wildlife habitats. However, up to 75 percent of eligible applicants are rejected due to funding constraints.
This significant funding is now at risk as some members of Congress plan to reallocate it to further subsidize large-scale farms. Healthy soil is crucial to our nation’s health, safety, and prosperity. Overuse of fertilizers and chemicals depletes our food of nutrients and causes extensive environmental damage, escalating farmers’ costs and food prices.
Recognizing the environmental impact of current agricultural practices, some farmers are turning to regenerative agriculture. This approach involves practices such as covering ground, integrating animals, eliminating tilling, and planting cover crops. Regenerative agriculture not only improves soil health but also increases resilience to climate change and profitability.
Despite political differences, farmers across the nation are uniting to advocate for regenerative agriculture through Regenerate America. This approach represents a brighter future for American farming, but Congress must embrace it and continue funding conservation initiatives.
Farmers are resilient and proactive when facing challenges. It’s time for Washington to show the same dedication, invest in a climate-resilient future, and remember the importance of our land’s health to our nation’s survival.
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