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by Marianne Landzettel (Author)
Fires, floods, hurricanes, drought and extended periods of heat - extreme, 'once in a lifetime' weather events now happen frequently and over prolonged periods. 'There is no normal anymore, all we have is abnormal, ' says Cynthia Daley, professor with the College of Agriculture at CSU, Chico. 'Maybe we have ten years to turn this around. We need all hands on deck to do this. We have to elevate consciousness to what is happening.' Improving and maintaining soil health are at the center of any such effort. Marianne Landzettel looks back at the Dust Bowl era to show what happens when fertile soil is carried away by dust storms. The agrichemical industry promises to end world hunger with genetically engineered seeds, chemical fertilizer and pesticides - she saw the consequences of this approach on Hawai'i. Travelling the US - the east coast, the west coast, the Midwest and the High Plains - she met farmers and ranchers who use methods of regenerative and organic agriculture. Their farms and ranches are proof that agriculture can be part of the climate solution while delivering plenty of healthy food. Their main focus is on soil quality. And by enhancing and maintaining it they make sure that future generations will be able to grow food, too.
