How climate has changed farming in the Pacific Northwest
Capital Press reports on how rising average temperatures in the Pacific Northwest impact farmers and ranchers with different timelines for growing seasons, issues with access to water, and loss of certain viable crops. And yet, there are new opportunities to use agriculture to lead efforts to lessen the problems of climate change.
While agriculture is on the front lines of climate change, growers are also in a unique position to mitigate its effects through farming practices that sequester carbon and build the soil.
The article shares a 2017 study by the National Soil Project at Northeastern University that found soils from organic farms had 26 percent more potential for long-term carbon storage and 13 percent more organic matter than soils from non-organic farms.
Oregon Tilth’s Executive Director, Chris Schreiner, notes that all farms play a critical role in the Pacific Northwest to take on big agricultural challenges going forward.
Some of those organic practices that are used by organic farmers and required by organic standards have been incorporated on non-organic farms. Non-organic farms can also contribute to climate solutions by selective adoption of organic practices.