Article Review Hollis Bennett. “Conservation for the Future of the Family Farm”. National Geographic. 11 September, 2017.
Introduction The article chosen is “Conservation for the Future of the Family Farm”, written by Hollis Bennett (2017). The article discusses on the Kevin Ross that practice sustainability farming in their six generations old farm for both to help business prosper and to care for the land in the long term.
According to Häni, Pintér and Herren (2006), sustainability of the agri-food system and farming as a multi-functional enterprise is of increasing importance. In the upcoming 25 to 50 years, rural areas will need to supply two to three billion more people than today with food (World Bank, 2003). Providing this growing population with food will be the predominant role of farmers (Häni, 2006). Overgrazing and inappropriate cropping have caused soil fertility to decrease in many places; large areas under agricultural production have been completely lost due to soil degradation. The expansion of agricultural land has increasingly come up against ecological limits. Consequences of current production methods include a loss of biodiversity, overexploitation of natural resources and contamination of soil, water and air, as well as other devastating environmental impacts. To overcome these problems, she suggests that sustainable production is the most important leading principle to solve the predominant problems of agriculture worldwide. Transcribed for practical use in agriculture and to make it operational for assessment tools, the definition for sustainable agriculture reads (SAI, 2003, modified):
Sustainable agriculture adopts productive, competitive and efficient practices, while protecting and improving the environment and the global ecosystem, as well as the socio-economic conditions of local communities in line with human dignity.
Only the farmer can manage and harvest the enormous, natural potential of regenerating raw material (renewable resources) without having to deplete non-renewable resources. The social and economic situation of the farmer is, therefore, a key factor for a sustainable society (Häni, 2006).
Article summary As indicated in the article, the farmer Kevin Ross carries on a tradition six generations old farm on the rolling hills of western Iowa with his own way to both provide for his family and be ready for the time his children might take up the family business. He focused on long-term thinking to practice sustainable farming method by using terrace methods, no-till farming and putting cover crops. Moreover the conservation and low-impact farming keep the land healthy for future generations.
The main plant in that place is corn because 9 out 10 U.S. corn farms are family owned. To protect the environment and preserve the land, Ross and other farmers committing to work towards it’s with several farming practices. One of the ways to preserve their land and protect the health of the soil is by using terrace method. Terracing practice is one of the conservation practices for hills farm by forming row around the hills that also act as a small dam to support drainage and water issues. This practice also has been effective for many years in their place.
Next, they use no-till method that helps to keep moisture in the soil while at the same time protecting it from heavy rains. No-till method also keeps the water from move downhill in speed since the soil is in compact composition. Combination no-till method and terrace practice along being effective tool to slow down water surface run-off.
Another method Ross used is putting cover crops for soil health and extra food for his cattle. By putting cover crop, Ross can also use it to produce organic fertilizer. Apart from that, Ross also thinking of provide different food habitat for pollinators like bee and butterflies for them along with other wildlife in the future to emphasize biodiversity and sustainability in their farming area.
At last, Ross also plans to plants other crops apart from corn using those sustainable practices and helps other farmers to follow his path by conserve and preserve their farms for next generation and better future.
Critical evaluation This article of farmer Kevin Ross provides inspiring efforts and practicing methods to protect the environment by preserving and conserving their farms that will benefit the land and his children. Moreover, Ross efforts also inspiring other farmers by sustainability farming practices to ensure better future for food production and biodiversity. Ross sustainability practices by using terrace method, no-till methods and crop cover plant are really environment-friendly by reduced the cost for producing dam water drainage. These methods also save fuel by preventing extra trips across the fields and reduce cost for cattle extra foods.
This short and simple article is really inspiring other people on how important to practice sustainability methods in farming. But to improve people understanding, the writer should add up more information on how Kevin Ross and other farmers use sustainability methods in their farms. In conclusion, Hollis Bennett (2017) have presented an article that could have huge influence on farming practice around the world especially place that have same environment and biodiversity as their farm. Apart from provide better future for their family, they also inspiring other people to preserve and conserve surrounding environment starting with small and expanding effort.
References Häni, F. J., Pintér, L. and Herren, H. R. (2017). From Common Principles to Common Practice. Proceedings and outputs of the first Symposium of the International Forum on Assessing Sustainability in Agriculture (INFASA), March 16, 2006, Bern, Switzerland.
Hollis Bennett (2017). Conservation for the Future of the Family Farm. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/sponsor-content- conservation-for-the-future-of-the-family-farm0/
World Bank (2003). World Development Report 2003: Sustainable Development in a Dynamic World. Washington DC.