Climate change and other challenges are motivating many producers to rethink how they produce food. Similarly, the world of environmental conservation is changing, with First Nations, for example, leading the development of new approaches to the stewardship of working landscapes.
Issues like climate change require rapid transformations in both conservation and food production practices. Rather than perpetuating polarization, bold leadership should work toward consensus among groups. This must start with recognizing that food production and conservation are not opposing ends of the spectrum. via theconversation.com
Issues like climate change require rapid transformations in both conservation and food production practices. Rather than perpetuating polarization, bold leadership should work toward consensus among groups. This must start with recognizing that food production and conservation are not opposing ends of the spectrum. via theconversation.com
The Greenbelt for Agricultural Land Conservation
Greenbelt is a vital, creative force in protecting the places that people love and in supporting a healthy environment. Land trusts it work with families, municipalities and organizations to help them realize their land conservation goals, protecting native plants and wildlife, preserving access to nature for the well-being of future generations, and creating an environment that is more resilient to the impacts of climate change. via www.newburyportnews.com
The US Soil Nitrogen Run-Off Problems
The need to better control nitrogen run-off is a major concern.
Every summer, a "dead zone" forms in the Gulf of Mexico. Plumes of oxygen-robbing algae, fed by excess nitrogen coming in from the Mississippi River, kill off marine life and threaten the livelihoods of those who fish the Gulf. States bordering the Mississippi River are putting strategies in place to limit nitrogen from wastewater treatment plants, surface runoff, and agricultural fields. In a new study, University of Illinois scientists have estimated that a new conservation practise known as saturated buffers could reduce nitrogen from agricultural drainage by 5 to 10 percent.
Saturated buffers are vegetated strips of land, as little as 30 feet across, between tile-drained agricultural fields and waterways. Ordinarily, tile pipes carrying drainage water from the fields empty directly into ditches or streams. With a saturated buffer, the water is re-routed to a perforated pipe running below the surface and parallel to the stream. Water then flows through the soil of the saturated buffer into the stream. via phys.org
What is Conservation Agriculture?
Conservation agriculture (CA) can be defined by a statement given by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as "a concept for resource-saving agricultural crop production that strives to achieve acceptable profits together with high and sustained production levels while concurrently conserving the environment" (FAO 2007).
via en.wikipedia.org
Over the past 25 year, NRCS has worked with landowners to protect more than 4.4 million acres of wetlands and agricultural lands, a value of over a billion dollars in a diversified real estate portfolio that has resulted in improved soil health, water and air quality and wildlife habitat. Read more about the easement successes around the nation at www.nrcs.usda.gov
What Action is Being Taken to Conserve Agricultural Land?
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, NRCS helps American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.Over the past 25 year, NRCS has worked with landowners to protect more than 4.4 million acres of wetlands and agricultural lands, a value of over a billion dollars in a diversified real estate portfolio that has resulted in improved soil health, water and air quality and wildlife habitat. Read more about the easement successes around the nation at www.nrcs.usda.gov
The Cap-and-Trade Program
The cap-and-trade program creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.The Role of Anaerobic Digestion
The Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion for Conservation of Agricultural Land.
Healthy soil and water is important to farmers, their families, and the community.
The vast majority of farms in America are family-owned, and active conservation practices can continue to pass this legacy from one generation to the next.
Implementing manure digesters on livestock facilities can improve soil health by converting the nutrients in manure to a more accessible form for plants to use.
Help protect the local water resources, by reducing nutrient run-off and destroying pathogens.
EPA Case Study: Blue Spruce Farm, Vermont.
On Blue Spruce Farm, post-digester liquid fertilizer is applied to the fields with an aerator, or directly onto the growing hay crops.
We hope you found this article about the "The Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion for Conservation of Agricultural Land", helpful.
The video at the start of this page forms training video number 3 of 5, in a free AD Training course at the AD Training club.
The video at the start of this page forms training video number 3 of 5, in a free AD Training course at the AD Training club.
Alternatively, why not visit www.anaerobic-digestion.com for more about Anaerobic Digestion and biogas.
(Video slides shown are illustrative and do not show the farm referred to. )
The source of our information is:
https://www.epa.gov/agstar/benefits-anaerobic-digestion#rural-economic-growth
Take the free biogas training course at: https://adtraining.club/
Read the article: https://anaerobic-digestion.com/benefits-anaerobic-digestion/
--------------------------------------------
CONNECT WITH US:
------------------------------------------
Don't forget to check out our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AnaerobicDigestion
and click the link below to subscribe to our channel and get informed when we add new content:
https://www.youtube.com/user/AnaerobicDigestion?sub_confirmation=1
--------------------------------------------
