A 30-year study finds that nitrogen applied to crops has the potential to linger in soil for nearly a century after fertilizer is applied, creating serious water quality issues.
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that farmers’ and ranchers’ conservation efforts to improve water quality and quantity are working. The report is a culmination of a watershed-wide assessment of the impacts of soil and water conservation work, including methods to manage nutrients and reduce soil erosion on agricultural lands […]
As technology continues to play an increasing role in agricultural operations, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) launched the Water Quality Index for Agricultural Runoff (WQIag), which helps producers calculate how much impact their agricultural and conservation practices are having on water quality. Producers input information about a given field, such as slope and soil characteristics. They […]
A private-public partnership is working to improve rice productivity, as well as enhance waterbird habitat in California. Montna Farms, owned by Al and Gail Montna enrolled in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Waterbird Habitat Enhancement Program (WHEP), which pays incentives to landowners who implement pro-wildlife habitat practices on their land. The rice belt, where Montna Farms […]
When Ram Trucks aired its “God made a farmer” ad during the Super Bowl last month, it created a sensation inside and outside of the agricultural community. But, it largely missed on one highly important aspect of farming and ranching, the role of women. In an industry that has, traditionally, been dominated by men, female […]
A recent article, by William R. Wootton, linked below, argues that too many American colleges, especially liberal arts institutions, which typically advocate for issues like sustainability, environmentalism, and social justice, often turn to large corporate agribusiness to handle their food service. In fact 50-60% of college food service is handled by large corporations and three […]