Download are increasing the effects of climate change

LOCAL AGRICULTURAL EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
By Rich Casale
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
INTRODUCTION
SELF- Rich Casale, District Conservationist, USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), serving Santa Cruz County for more than 40
years. Certified Professional Erosion & Sediment Control Specialist #3.
Graduate of Humboldt State University - Bachelor’s degree in Natural
Resources Management. Own & operate a small horse ranch in Aptos.
NRCS- “Helping People Help the Land”. NRCS is a Non-Regulatory federal
agency under USDA. 80 years old with offices in practically every county in
the United States and all U.S. Territories. NRCS provides free technical and
financial assistance to agricultural producers and other private land users
including planning advice and design assistance on conservation practices
that can help reduce the effects of Climate Change.
OVERVIEW OF HOW FARMING PRACTICES EFFECT CLIMATE CHANGE
Exposed and depleted soil increase greenhouse emissions by releasing
carbon into the atmosphere resulting in a negative effect on climate. Farm
equipment emissions from over cultivation and other unnecessary cultural
operations also contributes to additional carbon being released when fossil
fuel are burned. “Soil carbon is the foundation of farm profitability” = Soil Health.
HOW LOCAL FARMERS AND RANCHERS ARE BEING AFFECTED BY CLIMATE
CHANGE
Drought, Groundwater Depletion, Seawater Intrusion, Soil Erosion, Intense
& Unusual Storm Events, Increased Crop Pest & Disease, Crop & Livestock
Decline, Crop Loss, Farmland Taken Out of Production, Increased Costs to
Produce Farm & Ranch Products, etc.
HOW LOCAL GROWERS (CONVENTIONAL & ORGANIC) ARE INCREASING THE
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
By year-round farming and over cultivation
By growing conventionally and using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides
By not incorporating soil building and other soil health practices into their
farm management program
By causing soil erosion
By not maintaining adequate soil cover on areas where crops are not grown
including areas between crop rows
By using more energy to produce crops than necessary
By using equipment and vehicles with poor fuel efficiency
By farming land that should either not be farmed or growing crops outside
the limits of soil capabilities
By having a short term outlook and no long range management plan
WHAT SOME LOCAL GROWERS ARE DOING TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF
CLIMATE CHANGE
Transitioning to organic and sustainable farming
Crop rotations
Hedgerows
Cover crops and permanent conservation cover especially in orchards and
vineyards. Incorporating livestock (sheep) in vineyards. Grazing Mgt.
Furrow bottom and road seeding on strawberry lands
Wildlife enhancements
Water conservation improvements
Soil erosion control and prevention practices
Signing up for conservation practice incentives (includes long term farm
management plan) under various Farm Bill Program. Highest number of
applications received in history of program in 2015.
By replacing farm equipment and vehicles with more fuel efficient or
alternative fuel equipment/vehicles
Grower initiated and led Pajaro Valley Community Water Dialogue
WHAT MORE COULD GROWERS DO TO REDUCE THEIR IMPACT ON CLIMATE
CHANGE (Eliminate Deep Tillage; Cover Soil; Perennials; Biodiversity; Increase Photosynthesis)
The opposite of all the practices listed above under “How local growers are
increasing the effects of Climate Change”
By more growers transitioning to organic
By planting more cover crops and especially in a crop rotation. Note: cover
crops can increase soil carbon by 4x
By practicing no-till or reduced till farming
By incorporating practices that increase soil organic matter. Note: 1% of
organic matter in the soil translates to holding 25,000 gallons of water per
acre.
By increasing soil protection with more and improved vegetative cover
Note: Combining conservation practices together as a system with an
ecological base offers the greatest benefit to reducing greenhouse
emissions and carbon sequestration.
WHY CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS OF FARMING, RANCHING & FORESTLAND
MANAGEMENT ARE IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE
Note: Climate Change affects us all and it is affecting us NOW whether we realize it or not. More
than 20 million trees have died or are dying in California forests as a result of Climate Change
resulting in drought, wildfire, tree pests and disease. To get 1” of water to enter the soil on well
managed soil=10 seconds; on poorly managed soil- up to 30 minutes!
Climate Change can and has also caused:
Increased food and wood prices
Contributed to lower quality food products
Declined landscape aesthetic beauty
Reduced clean surface and groundwater supplies
Degraded air and water quality increasing public health issues
Increased energy costs
OTHER BENEFITS OF REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE WITH
AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PRACTICES
Helps growers stay in regulatory compliance
Improves aesthetics of farm/ranch and property values
Reduces farm/ranch maintenance and operation costs and labor expenses
Reduces potential food safety issues on the farm
Helps insure long term agricultural sustainability
Enhances beneficial wildlife & insect values
Protects fish and wildlife habitat
Reduces hazard of downstream flooding and water quality
Promotes more efficient energy use
Conserves water and reduces demand on depleted groundwater aquifers
Improves agricultural soil quality and fertility
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Support Sustainable and Organic Farms by purchasing organic and/or
sustainable food products.
Become more aware of Climate Change effects on local agricultural and
vice versa and share the knowledge.
Get involved in climate change, conservation, sustainable agriculture
and/or organic farming organizations.
Do your part in your own “backyard”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rich Casale, NRCS at: [email protected]; 831-475-1967 ext. 101