Opinion The complex future of farming

The Nov. 23 Business article on the future of farming, “Climate change is pushing farmers to confront what’s next,” failed to mention two of the most vexing facts about our agri-food system. First, our dominant chemical-intensive row crop agriculture (corn, wheat, soy) has resulted in a dramatic loss of healthy soils. According to a recent University of Massachusetts at Amherst study, the rate of soil erosion in the Midwest is 10 to 1,000 times greater than pre-agricultural erosion rates because of destructive farming practices. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization reports that 90 percent of the world’s topsoil might be at risk by 2050 because of excessive tilling and use of pesticides and fossil-fuel based fertilizers.

Second, our industrial approach to meat and crop production results in 31 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally. As The Post’s article pointed out, the way we produce, package and move food products is a leading cause of the very climate impacts that make farming so challenging. Yet the article quoted farmers who are clinging to conventional farming techniques. The new approaches mentioned were almost solely technological — indoor farming, genetically modified crops, hydroponics, methane digesters. Regenerative agriculture was largely dismissed, yet states from California to Oklahoma are promoting regenerative practices that rebuild soil and sequester carbon, through diversification of what is on the land, no-till farming, cover crops, composting, rotational grazing and organic production. At scale, a shift from conventional agriculture to regenerative practices could result in a 15 to 25 percent return on investment for farmers.

Regenerative agriculture is the future, not the agriculture reflected in the article or photographs.

Betsy Taylor, New Haven, Vt.

The Nov. 23 Future of Farming section pointed out the challenges of farming in the United States with the article stating, “Drought, floods and other extreme weather have challenged many of the traditional ways, causing yields to fall.” This is not only a national problem but a global one as well. There is a food crisis in the world that affects millions of people, and climate change is a significant driver of the crisis.

Adaptation programs that help farmers adjust to a changing climate are essential for strengthening the resiliency of communities worldwide. These programs help communities build a thriving future for themselves. The actions and leadership of the U.S. government alongside the efforts and collaboration of many nations worldwide are needed to address the impacts of climate change and support those in need globally. Individuals can urge our members of Congress to prioritize global leadership and action on climate change adaptation efforts. With this season of giving, this is a natural time to call attention to local and global hunger.

Stephen Knippler, Fairfax

The writer is a member of Virginia chapter of Catholic Relief Services.

Thanks to The Post for addressing one of the most important issues of our time. Our food system has profound impacts on everyone and on the health of our shared planet.

Animal agriculture is a major contributor to the climate crisis, the destruction of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity. It uses 10 times more land than plant-based agriculture in the United States while disproportionately depleting water and other increasingly scarce resources. With a swelling human population fed by unsustainable and extractive agricultural practices, we are now facing existential ecological threats.

We must reform our food system, and in doing so, we need to recognize that we can feed more people with less land and fewer resources by growing and eating plants instead of animals.

Gene Baur, Arlington

The writer is president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary.