Just for Farmers Series, Part III Should You Market Your Farm As Climate Smart?
The newsletter for professionals cautiously approaching the discussion about climate, but pretty sure they should.
Issue Number : 13
It’s our last installment of this first ‘just for farmers’ series and we’ve been discussing climate smart farming. More specifically, the definition (s) of climate smart agriculture, the potential benefits, and the possibilities of marketing your farm -as it is today- as climate smart. If you want to go back and see those first pieces, search for the May 25 and May 11 newsletters.
To finish of this topic for now, let’s consider how your operation may already be doing practices or activities that could be considered climate smart. Whether you’ve taken that idea for granted or simply feel the below items are a basic and important part of your business, it doesn’t necessarily matter. What matters is that you and your family are able to continue to operate in a way that is sustainable now and for the generations to come that you want to see in this business.
With that in mind, let’s cover a handful of ways that your business may already be climate smart and you just hadn’t realized it!
Soil Health Practices
If you are doing any kind of soil health practices to build and improve the quality of the earth you farm (whether grazing or crops) you might be climate smart. The definition of regenerative is to put back that which may be depleted for the purpose of renewal or regrowth. Every soil health decision you make whether its’ cover crops or additional nutrients is climate smart.
Testing, Data Collection, and Evaluation
Very few operators today get by without the addition of evaluation and diagnostic tools in the operation. By determining a base line to build upon, reviewing your data each year, discussing prescriptions with your crop advisors, and then implementing those new or updated practices each year is certainly climate smart!
Use of your Own Products
Ever heard of a beef producer that is a vegetarian? Neither have I. That’s similar to a row crop farmer that doesn’t use ethanol or biodiesel. This is like your freezer beef. When you use these renewable fuels, they offer an immediate reduction in your farm’s emissions and reduce your carbon impact score. That’s climate smart!
Use of VRT and Other Technology
Today we use variable rates and advanced digital tools on our equipment. While that feels like an obvious choice for improved efficiency, reduction in cost, and accuracy of product placement, it’s also completely climate smart.
So, it turns out, that it took me three newsletters to say one simple thing: today’s agricultural producers are climate smart. Fact. Are there additional practices most can adopt -yes, absolutely. Are there improvements that may be highly beneficial to our future generations if we make (sometimes difficult) practice changes-yes. But, let it be said, our production system is engaged in the climate smart game. What’s most difficult for us may just be talking about it. That’s where IN-CLIMATE comes in. We are hear to help the agribusiness, energy, and farming sectors create a practical, productive dialog around climate. If you’re ready to learn more, join us! Join the climate conversation!