By Doug Fabbioli We all share the same Earth, however, there has been a fair amount of disagreement from folks about what is the best way to care for our lovely blue planet. My goal in writing this column is to promote ideas that I hope we can all agree on. We need to keep Mother Earth moving in the healthiest direction for all. As farmers, our perspective on climate is connected directly with our land and the functionality of our operation. Our weather has been changing depending on where we live. For some it’s wetter or drier, colder or hotter, and sometimes just more intense. It’s not just words coming from our chosen source of media coverage, we need to adapt to changing weather conditions every time they come. Many times, with change comes less efficiency and more cost. Sometimes we need to invest in irrigation or drainage, repair buildings or equipment so the long term is addressed in a way that will be survivable. Also, as farmers, we have the ability to help mitigate airborne carbon by doing what we do best, grow things. Plants consume CO2 in their process of growing. Some plants are better than others at capturing this carbon and some can then be used to make fuel, or just buried to return the carbon to the ground. I am not an expert on all the science of this, but I am continuing to learn. I will say I am hoping to share what I know and gather a few more farmers and businesses along the way so we make the changes to adapt. But changes in business can often cost money, time and focus. Our efforts are to define the changes, find solutions, help with implementation, and promote the successes so others will join.... Continue Reading
