AN INTRODUCTION Global Warming Sequester Carbon Regenerate Soil Nutrient-Dense Food Produce Biofuels...

an introductionan introduction

Global WarmingSequester CarbonSequester Carbon

Regenerate Soil Regenerate Soil

Nutrient-Dense FoodNutrient-Dense Food

Produce BiofuelsProduce Biofuels

Unstable Economics

Biological Degeneration

Fossil Fuel Addiction

How toHow to

PARADIGMPARADIGMSHIFTSHIFT

Climate ChangeClimate ChangeConfrontingConfronting

ConfrontingConfrontingClimate ChangeClimate Change

a DEFINItiona DEFINItion

1. 1. Soil TestsSoil Tests

3. 3. BiocharsBiochars

4. 4. CompostsComposts

5. 5. InoculantsInoculants

2. 2. Mineral RatiosMineral Ratios

6. 6. Cover CropsCover Crops

7. 7. RotationsRotations

8. 8. MarketingMarketing

annual increase in measured carbon, up to 9%annual increase in measured carbon, up to 9%

program to adjust major minerals & trace elementsprogram to adjust major minerals & trace elements

minimum annual application: initial 1000 lbs./acreminimum annual application: initial 1000 lbs./acre

organic matter digestion & feeding programorganic matter digestion & feeding program

microbe inoculation & feeding for The Soil Food Webmicrobe inoculation & feeding for The Soil Food Web

continuous ground cover & minimum tillagecontinuous ground cover & minimum tillage

long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestocklong-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock

low carbon, eco-local distribution & salelow carbon, eco-local distribution & sale

Cover CropsCover Crops continuous ground covercontinuous ground cover & minimum tillage& minimum tillage

Identical to farms from Ohio to Nebraska– vast fields of corn & soybeans

Summer : industrial-scale agriculture

WinterNeighbors’ fields lie fallow – bare & brownBrandt’s fields are green with cover cropsFall plantings with up to 14 plant species – – blanket soil in winter– protect soil from extreme weather– feed sugar to soil microbes– support biological diversity & complexity– rot in place in spring

: no-till, cover crop agriculture

Half Brandt’s corn & soy flourish without fertilizer,and no herbicides;Other half gets less than consultants recommend

Promise of no-till, cover-crop FarmingReduce agrichemical useRegenerate soil food web biologyAdapt to extreme weather & climateKeep heartland churning out food

David BrandtDavid Brandt1,200 acre farm1,200 acre farm

CarrollCarroll, central Ohio, central Ohio (pop. 524) (pop. 524)

Four PracticesFour Practicesset Brandt apart from other farmersset Brandt apart from other farmers

FirstFirst: dedication to off-season cover crops: dedication to off-season cover cropsCurrently used on 1% of US farmland yearlyCurrently used on 1% of US farmland yearly

SecondSecond: hostility to tilling : hostility to tilling Sold his tillage equipment in 1971Sold his tillage equipment in 1971Considers tillage a disruptive practiceConsiders tillage a disruptive practiceDisassembles soil food web infrastructuresDisassembles soil food web infrastructures

ThirdThird: fondness for earthworms: fondness for earthworms

FourthFourth: adds wheat to corn-soy rotation : adds wheat to corn-soy rotation Corn-soy favored all over Corn BeltCorn-soy favored all over Corn BeltThird crop disrupts weed & pest patternsThird crop disrupts weed & pest patterns

2012 Iowa State University study2012 Iowa State University study: : 3rd crop cuts herbicide & agrichemical use3rd crop cuts herbicide & agrichemical use

USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServiceAdvocates Soil StewardshipTrains agents to teach farmers about cover cropsBrandt’s farm is a site used to train NRCS agentsNational Conference on Cover Crops & Soil Health


National Conference on Cover Crops & Soil Health Soil health is a new initiative of

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)February 18, 2014

kicks off this major effortForum on Cover Crops and Soil Health:

Harvesting the Potentialwebinar broadcast live from Omaha

200 free meetings and soil health demonstrations

Howard BuffettIL farmer, conservationist, philanthropist

Tom VilsackUSDA Secretary of Agriculture

The Big Picture: Conservation, Cover Crops & Soil Health

Four Midwest cash crop farmersDan DeSutter, IN - Dave Brandt, OHClay Mitchell, IA - Gabe Brown, ND

noted for focus on soil health, cover crops conservation tillage, and farm profitability

will describe benefits of their soil managementCover crop use ranges from cereal rye& ryegrassto crimson clover, hairy vetch & oilseed radishes

After the webinar: local discussion groups

plan Grower Discussion meetings & summer field daysInfo & assistance for soil health management

““Try to mimic Mother Nature.Try to mimic Mother Nature.Cover crops work togetherCover crops work together

like a community like a community – – you have many people helping you have many people helping

instead of one.”instead of one.”

continuous ground cover continuous ground cover & minimum tillage& minimum tillage

Cover CropsCover Crops

Under Cover FarmersUnder Cover Farmerswww.youtube.com/watch?v=nWXCLVCJWTU

28-minute youtube video28-minute youtube video

Three farmers in Stanley County, NC on how they use multi-species cover crops

to realize economic returns on their investmentthe first year

video produced in partnership byDr. Robin 'Buz' Kloot, Earth Sciences & Resources Institute

University of South CarolinaUSDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWXCLVCJWTU






a DEFINItiona DEFINItion

1. 1. Soil TestsSoil Tests

3. 3. BiocharsBiochars

4. 4. CompostsComposts

5. 5. InoculantsInoculants

2. 2. Mineral RatiosMineral Ratios

6. 6. Cover CropsCover Crops

7. 7. RotationsRotations

8. 8. MarketingMarketing

annual increase in measured carbon, up tp 9%annual increase in measured carbon, up tp 9%

fertility program to adjust element levelsfertility program to adjust element levels

minimum annual application: initial 500 lbs./acreminimum annual application: initial 500 lbs./acre

soil digestive system & feeding programsoil digestive system & feeding program

microbial inoculation & feeding programmicrobial inoculation & feeding program

continuous ground cover & minimum tillagecontinuous ground cover & minimum tillage

long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestocklong-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock

Low carbon, eco-local distributionLow carbon, eco-local distribution

long-term, rapid rotationslong-term, rapid rotationsRotationsRotations of crops & livestockof crops & livestock

Dr. Allan SavoryDr. Allan Savory Holistic ManagementHolistic Management

Abe CollinsAbe Collins Carbon Farmers of AmericaCarbon Farmers of America

Joel SalatinJoel Salatin Mob grazing & Chicken tractorMob grazing & Chicken tractor

Greg JudyGreg Judy Grass-fed beefGrass-fed beef

Gary ZimmerGary Zimmer Biological AgricultureBiological Agriculture

CropsCropsplant successions & servicesplant successions & services

biodiversity & polyculturesbiodiversity & polycultures

plant & insect communitiesplant & insect communities

: land improvement by grazing: land improvement by grazingLivestockLivestock

Soil Carbon CoalitionSoil Carbon Coalitionwww.soilcarboncoalition.orgwww.soilcarboncoalition.org

long-term, rapid rotationslong-term, rapid rotationsof crops & livestockof crops & livestock

RotationsRotations Climate ChangeClimate ChangeConfrontingConfronting

To advance the practiceTo advance the practiceput the carbon back where it belongsput the carbon back where it belongs

to turn atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter to turn atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter and engage people in opportunitiesand engage people in opportunities

Grass-fed beef is better for people and land. Grass-fed beef is better for people and land. Feeding cattle grass throughout their life is Feeding cattle grass throughout their life is the most sustainable way to raise beef.the most sustainable way to raise beef.

weed & pest controlweed & pest control

home-grown fertilityhome-grown fertility

UK National TrustUK National Trust

This is contrary to belief livestock farming This is contrary to belief livestock farming must intensify to feed increasing must intensify to feed increasing population.population.Debate on climate change & food often Debate on climate change & food often calls for reduced meat eating and plant-calls for reduced meat eating and plant-based diet, but overlooks the fact many based diet, but overlooks the fact many grasslands are unsuitable for continuous grasslands are unsuitable for continuous cropping.cropping.Grasslands support many ecosystem Grasslands support many ecosystem services: watersheds, wildlife, biodiversity, services: watersheds, wildlife, biodiversity, carbon capture, weather, etc. carbon capture, weather, etc.

Grazing livestock can contribute to Grazing livestock can contribute to grassland maintenance to turn grass into grassland maintenance to turn grass into human food.human food.

: carbon storage by plant biomass: carbon storage by plant biomass

www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change

Reversing desertification is a global warming mitigation strategy Reversing desertification is a global warming mitigation strategy because carbon is stored in stable, long-lasting organic matter in soilbecause carbon is stored in stable, long-lasting organic matter in soil

Karoo Region of South Africa Karoo Region of South Africa

Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazing

average rainfall: 23 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 23 cm/year

Conversion of semi-desert to healthy savanna = carbon capture of 25 to 60 t C/haConversion of semi-desert to healthy savanna = carbon capture of 25 to 60 t C/ha

Climate ChangeClimate ChangeConfrontingConfronting

higher stocking densities higher stocking densities tightly packed herds tightly packed herds frequent movementsfrequent movementswell-planned rotationswell-planned rotationsno technology, irrigation, or fertilizer no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predatorsmimic behavior of natural herds with predators

ConventionalConventionalContinuous GrazingContinuous Grazing

Improvement in soil and vegetation restores water tables Improvement in soil and vegetation restores water tables

quickens desertificationquickens desertification

Vegetation cover contributes to evaporative coolingVegetation cover contributes to evaporative cooling


RotationsRotations

PHOTO: Kroon Family

PHOTO: Kroon Family

Karoo Region of South Africa Karoo Region of South Africa average rainfall: 23 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 23 cm/year

Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazinghigher stocking densities higher stocking densities tightly packed herds tightly packed herds frequent movementsfrequent movementswell-planned rotationswell-planned rotationsno technology, irrigation, or fertilizer no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predatorsmimic behavior of natural herds with predators




Photos: ACHM, Seth Itzkan

Barren land eroding for decades transformed to healthy grassland savannaBarren land eroding for decades transformed to healthy grassland savanna

ZimbabweZimbabweaverage rainfall: 60 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 60 cm/year

heavy concentration of 500 cattle heavy concentration of 500 cattle corralled on site 7 to 10 evenings corralled on site 7 to 10 evenings

left excess dung & plant litterleft excess dung & plant litter

In one year, fast-growing, short-rootedIn one year, fast-growing, short-rootedannuals start to grow (white stringy plants) annuals start to grow (white stringy plants)

Land is put in a monitored grazing planLand is put in a monitored grazing plan

Dense annuals provide ground cover Dense annuals provide ground cover to retain moisture & build biodiversity in soilto retain moisture & build biodiversity in soil

Annuals are first-phase in restoration, Annuals are first-phase in restoration, but soil carbon capture is minimalbut soil carbon capture is minimal

After 8 years, perennials appearAfter 8 years, perennials appear(taller pinkish-beige plants)(taller pinkish-beige plants)

Deep roots accelerate soil carbon captureDeep roots accelerate soil carbon capture

Eventually, as grazing plan continues, site will be covered in perennialsEventually, as grazing plan continues, site will be covered in perennialsIf grazing stops, plants oxidize, and land likely returns to desertIf grazing stops, plants oxidize, and land likely returns to desert

After full recovery in 25−30 years, SOC density will increase to 25−60 tons C/haAfter full recovery in 25−30 years, SOC density will increase to 25−60 tons C/ha


PHOTO: Kroon Family

Karoo Region of South Africa Karoo Region of South Africa

Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazing

average rainfall: 23 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 23 cm/year

higher stocking densities higher stocking densities tightly packed herds tightly packed herds frequent movementsfrequent movementswell-planned rotationswell-planned rotationsno technology, irrigation, or fertilizer no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predatorsmimic behavior of natural herds with predators




PHOTOSPHOTOS: Guillermo Osuna: Guillermo Osuna

Las Pilas Ranch, Coahuila, MexicoLas Pilas Ranch, Coahuila, Mexicoaverage rainfall: 50 cm/yearaverage rainfall: 50 cm/year

In 25 years, barren land completely revivedIn 25 years, barren land completely revived

Looks to be more water in 1963, Looks to be more water in 1963, but runoff was captured by a man-made pond; but runoff was captured by a man-made pond;

a 1-inch rain filled the pond a 1-inch rain filled the pond

Restoration with Restoration with Holistic Planned GrazingHolistic Planned Grazing started in 1978 started in 1978Livestock doubled; grazing by a plan to give close attention to grass healthLivestock doubled; grazing by a plan to give close attention to grass health

In 2003, restored land holds six times more water than depleted terrainIn 2003, restored land holds six times more water than depleted terrain

Water is held in soil and vegetation in a state called “green water”Water is held in soil and vegetation in a state called “green water”

even a 6-inch rain is all absorbed,even a 6-inch rain is all absorbed,with no standing water in the pondwith no standing water in the pond

Pond is grown over and no longer needed,Pond is grown over and no longer needed,as dried-up springs flow year-round againas dried-up springs flow year-round again


AN INTRODUCTION Global Warming Sequester Carbon Regenerate Soil Nutrient-Dense Food Produce Biofuels...

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Transcript of AN INTRODUCTION Global Warming Sequester Carbon Regenerate Soil Nutrient-Dense Food Produce Biofuels...