It is time for California’s leaders to take bold action to improve the health of our soils, which would improve water storage capacity, two climate advocates say.
that works to stop and reverse climate change, testrada@carboncycle.org.
California is in the early stages of a severe multi-decadal drought, exacerbated by the climate crisis. As Dan Walters pointed out in his recent commentary, we must move quickly to prepare for water shortages and wildfires.
A potent strategy to improve the state’s water storage capacity involves an ancient technology so ubiquitous that it is often overlooked: soil. The urgency of California’s drought and wildfire risks require that we invest in soil health now.
California is an agricultural powerhouse in large part due to its fertile soils. But historical agricultural practices have depleted their organic carbon content and diminished their water holding capacity. When soil’s carbon is restored through regenerative agriculture, it absorbs and retains more water, restores aquifers, draws down and stores more carbon from the atmosphere, sustains biodiversity, yields more and healthier crops, and increase
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture will be holding stakeholder meetings in February to solicit feedback from the public and agricultural stakeholders on farmer-and rancher-led climate solutions that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases and enhance biodiversity.
“These outreach meetings are essential to ensure we gain information and knowledge from the people who live and work on the land and the organizations that support them,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “We want to hear from all those interested in discussing farmer- and rancher-led efforts to help ensure climate resilience, greenhouse gas mitigation, biodiversity and food security.”
The meetings will be organized around three agricultural categories: livestock and dairy; row and field crops (annual crops); and trees and vines (perennial crops).
Todd Fitchette
Some financial incentives aim to replace older, inefficient, nut harvesting equipment with newer models that create less dust. Healthy Soils, NRCS equipment replacement programs help board strive for 2025 goal.
The use of incentives to drive innovation and achieve the Almond Board of California s 2025 goals of using less and doing more covered a lot of existing programs dealing with things like healthy soils, sustainability programs, mating disruption, and whole orchard recycling.
Aaron Tarango of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Central District recently outlined one increasingly popular program aimed at reducing air pollution via partially reimbursed low-dust harvesting equipment.