USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was founded in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service in response to the devastation caused by the Dust Bowl. Drought conditions and poor soil management had caused widespread soil erosion throughout the county, robbing farmers of their valuable resource.
From the day it was formed and in the more than 80 years since, the NRCS has worked with farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners to protect and restore the environment while conserving our nation’s soil, air and water.
This work continues every day of the year, but was particularly important on Earth Day, as millions of people took part in opportunities geared around this year’s theme “Restoring the Earth.”
It is up to each and every one of us to restore the Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we are each affected by its dynamic changes — like our climate.
As the climate changes and temperatures rise, it will have a lasting impact on our agriculture producers and their ability to grow food, raise livestock and produce other vital products.
To continue feeding our growing population, NRCS is available to help landowners adopt the latest techniques to support both large and small operations, renew their land and capture carbon through regenerative agriculture practices.
Regenerative farming promotes the health of degraded soils by restoring its organic carbon and sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide, helping to reverse contributions to climate change.
Research shows that regenerative practices such as no-till farming and cover cropping are reducing erosion and water pollution, and in turn producing healthier soils. These practices play an important role in restoring the Earth in the face of a changing climate because healthier soils can hold more water, allow more water to infiltrate and also sequester more carbon, a key cause of climate change.
Along with the environmental benefits, these regenerative practices may also help farmers increase their yields and reduce their inputs, helping to improve their bottom line.
But we aren’t just stopping with our farmers. The NRCS also had multiple programs available to help private forest landowners manage their land. Best management practices such as controlling invasive species and timber stand improvements can help forests to flourish and grow, allowing them to continue to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere — positively affecting our climate
In Indiana, we have made great headway with our farmers and private forestland owners by helping them adopt practices that can help improve their land and play a role in restoring the whole Earth.
There is more work to be done though, and as NRCS founder Hugh Hammond Bennett said, “Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.”
Jerry Ranor is the state conservationist in Indiana. Send comments to [email protected].