11:374:279 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Regenerative Agriculture, Tillage, Land Values

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior
• Course: 11:374:279
• Professor: Schoolman

Document Summary

Large numbers of u. s. farmers are in financial jeopardy because of low farm commodity prices, high debt loads, and declining land values. 1 in every 7 farmers are in debt to a commercial bank. Unless something changes as many as of farmers will stop farming, which takes down their lenders too. The public has grown increasingly concerned about the sustainability of agriculture. Some chemicals are ending up in drinking water. Soil is being eroded and water and fossil deposits are being depleted. On the bright side, more sustainable and alternative technologies are being developed to reduce dependence on chemical technologies and conserve soil in methods of farming. Some farmers use a mixture of conventional and alternative farming technologies. Other names: organic, regenerative, biodynamic, biological, and ecological farming. Farmers have learned it"s not necessary to turn the topsoil every year.