Page 258 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

ardship Program, each of which have subsidized the Nielsens’ supports innovative approaches to resource management
investments in cover crops. In addition, the Mississippi River and sustainable agriculture in eight Asian nations. This
Basin Initiative funds the Nielsens for using cover crops and program studies success stories and tries to help farmers
for monitoring and improving water quality. This federal elsewhere duplicate successful efforts. Rather than fol-
program was enacted to enlist farmers in helping to reduce lowing a top-down, government-controlled approach, the
the nutrient runoff into the Mississippi River that causes FARM program calls on the creativity of local communi-
a hypoxic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico each year (see ties to educate and encourage farmers to conserve soils and
Chapter 15; pp. 428–429). secure their food supply. Indeed, we will need improved
The Nielsens also are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve policies and practices at all levels throughout the world
Program, which pays farmers to stop cultivating damaged and if we are to sustainably provide for our planet’s growing
highly erodible cropland and instead make these lands conser- human population.
vation reserves planted with grasses and trees. Lands in this
program now cover an area nearly the size of Iowa, and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that each
dollar invested in the program saves nearly 1 ton of topsoil. WeIGHING THe ISSUeS
Besides reducing erosion, the Conservation Reserve Program SoIL, SUBSIDIeS, AND SUSTAINABILITy Do you think that
generates income for farmers, improves water quality, and financial incentive programs such as the Conservation Reserve
provides habitat for wildlife. Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program are a good use
Farmers like the Nielsens apply for the program, and of taxpayers’ money? Are financial incentives more effective
the U.S. Farm Service Agency selects the farmers who will than government regulation for promoting certain land use
be awarded contracts based on an “environmental ben- goals? Do you think they can help lead us toward agriculture
efits index.” This index includes the predicted benefits to that is truly sustainable?
wildlife, water quality, air quality, and the farm through
reduced erosion, as well as benefits likely to endure
beyond the contract period, with all these balanced against
the cost of payments. Contracts generally run for 10–15
years. Of all U.S. states, Iowa is most heavily invested in Conclusion
the Conservation Reserve Program; the state has 102,000
contracts with 52,000 farms worth over $200 million per Our species has enjoyed a 10,000-year history with agricul-
year. Nationwide, the government pays farmers about ture, yet despite all we have learned about land degradation
$1.8 billion per year for the conservation of lands totaling and soil conservation, challenges remain. Many of the policies
11 million ha (27 million acres). The area tends to vary enacted and the practices developed to combat soil degradation
with market prices for crops; for instance, conservation in the United States and worldwide have met with success, par-
reserves have decreased since 2007 in response to higher ticularly in reducing topsoil erosion. It is clear, however, that
food prices as farmers have withdrawn lands from the even the best-conceived soil conservation programs require
program and planted them with crops. research, education, funding, and commitment from both
Internationally, the United Nations promotes soil con- farmers and governments if they are to fulfill their potential. In
servation and sustainable agriculture through a variety light of continued population growth, we will likely need bet-
of programs led by the Food and Agriculture Organiza- ter technology and wider adoption of soil conservation tech-
tion (FAO). As just one example, FAO’s Farmer-Centered niques if we are to achieve sustainable agriculture and feed the
Agricultural Resource Management Program (FARM) 9 billion people expected to crowd our planet by mid-century.

Reviewing objectives

you should now be able to: Outline major developments in the history of agriculture CHAPTER 9 • So I l AN d A gr I culT ure

• At least 10,000 years ago, people began breeding crop
Explain the importance of soils to agriculture plants and domesticating animals through the process of
selective breeding, or artificial selection. (p. 235)
• Successful agriculture requires healthy soil. (p. 234)
• Agriculture originated multiple times independently in dif-
• Soil is a renewable resource, but its renewal occurs slowly. ferent cultures across the world. (p. 235)
(p. 234)
• Industrial agriculture is replacing traditional agriculture,
• Our society’s future depends on sustainable agriculture, and which largely replaced hunting and gathering. (p. 236)
soil integrity is a key component of this pursuit. (pp. 234–235) 257

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