48 Feeding Tomorrow: Strategies for Sustaining the Global Food Supply (PR)

Introductions

Before diving into the practices that will help support the growing population, an understanding of the importance of these food systems and services is needed to fully appreciate the role agriculture plays in feeding the 8.1 billion people living on Earth today. While the food supply is still lacking for a large portion of the world’s population, advancements in agriculture have contributed to the security of basic food to live for billions of people. Without this infrastructure of food security and organization of agriculture, those who can spend their time in other industries instead of securing basic resources ultimately allocate their time to help develop new technologies, acquire knowledge not previously known, & advance our understanding of many other disciplines that help build a better world.

To appreciate the impact of organized food systems, imagine a world without it. Stripped back to humanity’s earliest days, hunter-gatherer societies allocated societies based on the skills of individuals/groups to secure basic resources to live. Instead of “leisure” or other pursuits of knowledge, simply surviving was the focus of humans for much of our existence. In comparison to today’s time, where developed countries organize time, resources, & money to the agricultural industry that effectively eliminates the need for entire societies to focus solely on the basic resources that keep us alive. This significant shakeup in the structure of human’s time to focus on other issues has ultimately been an accelerant of knowledge to better understand our world as well as develop solutions to the current impacts of climate change and the associated problems it creates for the agricultural industry. To continue to support the growing population and its food needs, continued effort must be applied to the practices that invest back into the land and allow future generations to inherit an Earth that supplies adequate resources.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

One of the ways in which individual human behavior can be altered to help reduce the impact of climate change is through the use of CSAs. By localizing access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer season, these operations are key in reducing the total amount of CO₂ used to transport these goods from the place where they are harvested to the grocery stores where they are bought. Not only do these initiatives greatly improve the diet and health of humans who participate in these operations, but also create an environment where education can occur in sustainable practices that can be implemented on a person-to-person basis. This education can be greatly important as these individuals are more likely to be conscious of their impact on the planet through these programs highlighting sustainability. Another benefit of these programs is also the land receives a wide variety of produce that not only enriches the soil, and houses more biodiversity but also creates options for families to have access to many different types throughout the season.

In Iowa, the directory of CSA organizations across the state is also conveniently provided by Iowa State and serves as a program that benefits Iowans’ access to these resources and allows for an entire state to organize around sustainable practices that benefit everyone. In an effort to localize food systems, this specific action invests in the community that would otherwise rely on large carbon footprints just to get to the stores in their communities.

Iowa CSA Directory | Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development (iastate.edu)

No-Tillage Farming Techniques

Another important farming technique that can have great impacts on the environment is through the process of tilling. Tilling as a farming practice has occurred for a long time, unknowingly by the majority of farmers from the past as well as those apart of developing countries that lack knowledge on the impacts of this practice. When the fertile topsoil is disturbed through physical actions (tilling), wind and water erosion occur more rapidly, as the area becomes looser from breaking the thick layer that occurs naturally. By disturbing the soil, moisture content decreases significantly, and as a result makes the soil more prone to erosion as a consequence. In fact, according to the Journal of Soils and Sediments which specifically looks into the research behind why tillage is harmful as a practice, state that, “Soil loss dropped over 400% annually after the incorporation of no-till.” ¹ By preventing the top layer from being disturbed, organic matter is able to continue to build on top of each other and allows for nutrients to sequester inside the soil.  By improving soil quality as well as preventing erosion from occurring, this practice is a simple way that farmers can become more sustainable by building the top soil layer instead of diminishing it. In fact, a local Iowa farmer who has over 25 years of experience in the field, Mark Johnson² participates in this practice actively with his corn and soybean crop. Benefits of this practice include weed prevention, reduced soil erosion, greater water holding capacity, and increased yields as a result of his personal implementation of this technique. Ultimately, the practices implemented by Johnson are incredible and are a testament to his experience in taking care of the land and providing for future generations. Overall, without techniques such as no-tillage farming, fertile soil will become less prevalent and result in erosion to occur that washes away/blows away the important soil that feeds our world.

Minimal Soil Disturbance: Conservation Tillage – Lower Fox Demonstration Farms Network (wisc.edu)

Cover Crops & Crop Rotation

Highlighting another farming technique that greatly invests in the soil is the process of using crop rotation to diversify the crops used to add nutrients to the soil, improve soil quality, & reduce monoculture that strips/degrades the soil over extended use. In tandem with this practice, cover crops (rye, alfalfa, grasses) are used to cover the soil to reduce erosion, allow for nutrients to be reinvested in the soil, increase total yield, decrease pests/weeds, & greatly improve biodiversity within the soil layer as well as the pollinators who will utilize the plants for their purposes. Ultimately, the introduction of multiple species to utilize these cover crops will in turn greatly improve the environmental quality of all parties involved. With a simple rotation, the soil is better off due to this practice and contributes to more sustainable and resilient land.

https://homesteadandchill.com/crop-rotation-benefits/

Riparian, Buffer, Edge Zones

One important facet of agricultural sustainability is the prevention of runoff from soils that are treated with elements such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus to promote growth in crops that have the potential to enter freshwater ecosystems from rains, floods, or by simple diffusion from being close together. This problem ultimately leads to the eutrophication of these ecosystems which can have numerous effects that greatly change the environment. To prevent this from occurring, farm techniques called edge/buffer/riparian zones protect these ecosystems by providing a barrier between the cultivated crops and the freshwater ecosystem by preventing runoff to spillover. By planting perennials or other grass species between these two separate locations, greenhouse gasses are more efficiently sequestered, resulting in less emissions and carbon footprint. In addition to greatly reducing runoff, these zones are also helpful in reducing soil erosion, as forests/trees/plant species in between the two defined zones establish root systems that absorb the excess runoff that attempts to reach freshwater as well as keeping soil in place with these roots. In fact, through research conducted by the University of New Mexico³ analyzing the impact of these zones found that environmental health is greatly improved with the introduction of these zones. Another benefit of these zones is their ability to house more biodiverse areas where many species can live or interact within, and improves soil quality/fertility. Ultimately, simply including another species of plants to separate freshwater ecosystems and agricultural land is an easy fix to the huge problem of eutrophication, making this technique vital to sustaining the food supply in the long run.

https://www.musimmas.com/resources/blogs/how-do-riparian-buffers-protect-the-environment/

Definitions of Note

Sustainability: Avoidance of the complete depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.

Monoculture: Cultivation or growth of a singular crop/particular species on agricultural and forested land. (EPA)

Agricultural Runoff: Pollutants that enter freshwater ecosystems, created by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. These processes can be natural or human-made.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): A community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes the community farm. With the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. (USDA)

Eutrophication: The process of agricultural waste entering freshwater ecosystems and stimulating the growth of algae from excess elements such as Nitrogen or Phosphorus. By providing overavailability of food resources to algae, these species block other aquatic plant species that die without proper sunlight that is covered by the excess algae. Eventually, bacteria will eat away at this algae and cause for an excess of carbon dioxide to be produced and a lack of oxygen present in these aquatic ecosystems. As a result, fish and other marine life cannot sustain life in these areas of no oxygen causing fish dieoffs/kills that greatly change the species present in these ecosystems.

Works Cited:

“Community Supported Agriculture.” Community Supported Agriculture | National Agricultural Library, www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/community-supported-agriculture. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). “Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up: April 15 – April 19, 2024.” EESI, www.eesi.org/articles/view/no-till-farming-improves-soil-health-and-mitigates-climate-change.%20Accessed%2022%20Feb.%202024. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

“Main Navigation.” Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/iowa-csa-directory. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

¹ “Minimal Soil Disturbance: Conservation Tillage.” Lower Fox Demonstration Farms Network, fyi.extension.wisc.edu/foxdemofarms/conservation-agriculture/minimal-soil-disturbance-conservation-tillage/. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Professor, Robert A. PierceAssociate, and Ryan MilhollinState Specialist. “University of Missouri.” Field Borders for Agronomic, Economic and Wildlife Benefits | MU Extension, 1 Oct. 2020, extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9421#:~:text=Many%20species%20of%20wildlife%20have%20adapted%20to%20%22edge%22,between%20a%20woodland%20and%20crop%20field%20or%20pasture. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

³Salehin, Sk. Musfiq-Us-, et al. “Grass Buffer Strips Improve Soil Health and Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Center-Pivot Irrigated Cropping Systems.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 27 July 2020, www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/15/6014. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Sharma, Devane. “How Do Riparian Buffers Protect the Environment?” Musim Mas, 2023,

www.musimmas.com/how-do-riparian-buffers-protect-the-environment/. Accessed 12

Feb. 2024.

“Social Responsibility.” MMPA, 1 Mar. 2024, www.mimilk.com/about-the-cooperative/social-responsibility/. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Streeter, Matthew T., et al. Journal of Soils and Sediments, vol. 18, no. 4, 28 Dec. 2017, pp. 1756–1766, doi:10.1007/s11368-017-1900-4.

²Southwest Farm Press, “University Libraries.” Off Campus Access – The University of Iowa Libraries, global-factiva-

com.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/ha/default.aspx#./!?&_suid=1707326602101027228045599401707. Accessed 07 Feb. 2024.

www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-Y3_T25-PURL-LPS106845/pdf/GOVPUB-Y3_T25-PURL-LPS106845.pdf. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Talerico, Deanna. “How to Practice Crop Rotation (Garden Benefits Explained).” Homestead and Chill, 10 Aug. 2023, homesteadandchill.com/crop-rotation-benefits/. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What Is Eutrophication?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, 2 Apr. 2019, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/eutrophication.html. Accessed 02 May 2024.