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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