Mar 27, 2022

Feeding Minds Press Books Feature Sustainable Farming Practices

Farmers are outside every day. They need the land to thrive and survive for future generations. Agricultural practices have come a long way and need to continue to advance for a safe and stable food supply.

There are several ways farmers are trying to prevent runoff, pollution, and erosion – but we need young people to study agriculture and innovate so our future is one that continues to provide food in a sustainable way.

Here are a few ways farmers are stewarding the land today which are highlighted in a few of our books. We hope our stories cultivate curiosity in young readers to learn more about agriculture!

No Till

In tilled fields, soil is broken up to make it easier for crops to grow. Because the soil is loose it can blow away in the wind or be washed away by rain, so some farmers chose to not till their fields. This means that they do not break up the soil in their fields, keeping the soil in place when it rains and helping moisture stay in the soil.

Buffer Zones, Crop Rotation, & Cover Crops

With buffer zones, farmers plant strips of vegetation between fields and bodies of water such as streams and lakes. These plants help keep soil in place, keeping soil out of the water source. Buffer zones also act as a filter for water that flows from the field to the waterway.

Crop rotation is a technique of planting different crops in the same field, but during different times. This helps soil because some plants take nutrients from the soil while others add nutrients. Changing, or rotating, crops keep the land fertile because not all of the same nutrients are being used with each crop. Historians believe that that crop rotation was used as early as 6,000 B.C.!

Cover crops are plants grown to protect and enrich soil and make sure soil is healthy by putting nutrients back into it. They help slow erosion, control pests and diseases, and increases organic matter. The use of cover crops has also been shown to increase crop yields. This means a farmer can grow more food and feed more people.

Integrated Pest Management

What do you do when a bird tries to attack your garden at home? A pest is an unwanted plant or animal that can damage crops and spread disease. Farmers use a strategy called Integrated Pest Management which helps prevent their crops from damaging pests.

For example, ladybugs can be introduced to a crop to eat pests called aphids. Netting or fencing might keep larger animals out. Pulling weeds from a garden is even part of a smart Integrated Pest Management plan. Sometimes chemicals can be used on crops to prevent pests; if used, an adult should handle the chemicals and always follow directions exactly on the label to make sure they are safely used.

Are you curious how you can help? Check out some of the Purple Plow Puzzlers to learn more about science and agriculture. This season's challenge is "Room to Grow" which focuses on how we can solve food insecurity issues in our own communities.

Still curious about farming and the environment? Check out this video from Food and Farm Facts.