Texas Farmers Embrace Regenerative Agriculture to Combat Climate Change
Texas farmers are turning to regenerative agriculture and organic practices in an effort to combat the impacts of climate change on their livelihoods. With the state experiencing long droughts and relentless heat waves that have cost the agriculture industry billions of dollars, farmers like Jeremy Brown and Eric Simpson are looking for sustainable solutions to conserve water and maintain healthy soil.
Brown, a fourth-generation farmer near Lamesa, views himself as a steward of God’s creation and sought ways to leave behind fertile land capable of withstanding an unstable climate. He began by transitioning to organic cotton farming and eventually embraced regenerative agriculture, which prioritizes year-round soil health rather than focusing solely on harvest yields. While it has been challenging for him to implement these practices in dry West Texas, Brown remains committed, adapting the principles of soil health to suit his environment.
Over the past three years, Brown has implemented various regenerative practices, including providing more space for planting to establish crop cover and protect the soil from overheating and drying out. This allows him to use less water as the soil retains moisture. He also employs techniques like crop rotation, minimal tilling to avoid disturbing the soil, and utilizing livestock for grazing and natural fertilization.
Similarly, Simpson, whose family owns At’l Do Farms near Shallowater, has seen the benefits of regenerative agriculture on his crops. By growing winter cover crops and leaving the residue to protect the land, he has managed to conserve moisture and mitigate the effects of extreme heat and wind. Simpson believes that these practices have made a significant difference in conserving water and improving the resilience of his crops.
While the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices is not yet widespread in Texas, farmers like Brown and Simpson are hopeful that they will prove beneficial as the state continues to experience hotter and drier conditions. Soil scientist Katie Lewis, from Texas A&M AgriLife in Lubbock, has witnessed an increase in farmers investing in regenerative practices, particularly after failed cotton crops last year. Lewis encourages farmers to implement these practices in order to improve soil health and moisture retention.
Regenerative agriculture is not without its challenges, and some farmers may be hesitant to adopt certain practices due to their individual circumstances. However, experts like Lewis are optimistic about the future of regenerative agriculture in the High Plains and its potential to capture and store moisture better.
As Texas farmers grapple with the impacts of climate change, they are increasingly turning to sustainable practices like regenerative agriculture to secure their agricultural future. By prioritizing soil health and water conservation, these farmers are taking proactive steps to combat the challenges posed by a changing climate and ensure the viability of their farms for generations to come.
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