I love this. I am what you might call an alternative farmer. Small acreage, lots of diversity, tons of regenerative/permaculture/organic management and lots of insects, including monarchs, lightning bugs and thousands of others. I also like Jesse Wells. Thanks for the read, this farmer appreciates the good news for the conventional guys
Thanks for this, Richard. I'll cite it in my next post from the prairie. I believe it was Michael Pollan who once said something to the effect that we humans are "corn walking." Perhaps it should instead be something like: subsidized, unprofitable corn walking and burning.
The industrialization of agriculture in America has been a folly, with growth the only measure of success. The use of food to drive vehicles is insanity, driven by chemical companies whose only measure of success is higher profits at the expense of a healthier world. Let’s call this bandwagon its proper name: A Disaster!
This excellent article should have wider distribution and discussion. We are being devastated by blanket coverage of agricultural lands with herbicides and pesticides. But we can say the same in the suburbs where the pursuit is the perfect manicured lawn.
I live beside our city’s reservoir and to the water’s edges such chemicals are being applied without much thought or consideration by the water authorities. Once the northern reaches harbored a tremendous annual crop of spring peepers. Now our springs are silent.
Those waterfront properties are also making a war upon the trees that shade and obscure their waterfront views. The woody verge is also the locale where grass clippings from the manicured lawns are dumped. It not something anyone wants to talk about.
Thank you for providing some hope for those of us living in the ethanol desert of Iowa. We lack the political will and regulations to improve the sad state of affairs. Perhaps the idea of making more money for less work will do the trick…🤷
Yes, corn farms could do less work, make more money, keep their families safer, and bring back the wildlife they used to enjoy. Only Bayer (Roundup) loses.
I love this. I am what you might call an alternative farmer. Small acreage, lots of diversity, tons of regenerative/permaculture/organic management and lots of insects, including monarchs, lightning bugs and thousands of others. I also like Jesse Wells. Thanks for the read, this farmer appreciates the good news for the conventional guys
I wrote this about beneficial insects on the farm https://ohiorganic.substack.com/p/natural-pest-control
Glad you liked it, and you are welcome. I'll check out that article. Richard
Thanks for this, Richard. I'll cite it in my next post from the prairie. I believe it was Michael Pollan who once said something to the effect that we humans are "corn walking." Perhaps it should instead be something like: subsidized, unprofitable corn walking and burning.
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Hi Richard, interesting post. You mention the fertilizer trade-offs a few times so thought you may be interested in my most recent post about Nitricity who are creating clean fertilizer - https://optimistictech.substack.com/p/optimistic-tech-newsletter-nitricity?r=y2n2m
The industrialization of agriculture in America has been a folly, with growth the only measure of success. The use of food to drive vehicles is insanity, driven by chemical companies whose only measure of success is higher profits at the expense of a healthier world. Let’s call this bandwagon its proper name: A Disaster!
This excellent article should have wider distribution and discussion. We are being devastated by blanket coverage of agricultural lands with herbicides and pesticides. But we can say the same in the suburbs where the pursuit is the perfect manicured lawn.
I live beside our city’s reservoir and to the water’s edges such chemicals are being applied without much thought or consideration by the water authorities. Once the northern reaches harbored a tremendous annual crop of spring peepers. Now our springs are silent.
Those waterfront properties are also making a war upon the trees that shade and obscure their waterfront views. The woody verge is also the locale where grass clippings from the manicured lawns are dumped. It not something anyone wants to talk about.
Yet another tripwire in American politics: $ave the farmer!
Looks like a great book proposal. Very enlightening. Most people are clueless.
Thank you for providing some hope for those of us living in the ethanol desert of Iowa. We lack the political will and regulations to improve the sad state of affairs. Perhaps the idea of making more money for less work will do the trick…🤷
I’d be cool with that…🤔
Yes, corn farms could do less work, make more money, keep their families safer, and bring back the wildlife they used to enjoy. Only Bayer (Roundup) loses.