Since the Industrial Revolution, agricultural practices have continued to advance, and this trend has accelerated since the “green revolution” in the middle of the 20th century. At every step, improvements in agricultural methods led to enormous gains in crop yields per unit of arable land. 

The Impact of Agricultural Modifications

The three ways extensive agriculture jeopardizes the fragile balance of non-agricultural ecosystems are briefly described here.

Irrigation

70% of the freshwater consumed by people worldwide comes from agriculture. Several types of irrigation plans are used to shift a significant amount of this water to agriculture.

By 2050, experts project that water extraction may have increased by another 15% to feed a burgeoning population.

The high harvest yields needed by such a large population are supported by irrigation. 

Animals Grazing

A sizable portion of agricultural land is primarily used for cattle and other livestock. Hundreds of millions of acres are set aside for this use in the western United States, more than for any different land use, if one includes government-controlled and privately held grazing grounds. 

Synthetic Fertilizers

From World War II until now, nitrogen and phosphorus-containing synthetic fertilizers have been at the core of increased farming. These chemical inputs have become essential to modern agriculture, increasing the number of people fed by global farms. They are beneficial for growing corn, wheat, and rice and are primarily to blame for the current explosion in grain agriculture. 

In the simplest terms, vertical farming is the practice of growing food in slightly inclined areas. There are many ways to define this novel farming technique.

Contrary to conventional farming, which raises crops in a single layer, this novel method of growing food in vertical layers that are fully stacked works well with a variety of structures like shipping crates or skyscrapers and has a huge potential for output while reducing food-related emissions.

Four Ways Showing the Usefulness of Vertical Farming

Learn about the four ways that vertical farming can help the environment:

1. Reduce water consumption

Due to high temperatures and ineffective watering techniques, agricultural irrigation systems use a substantial amount of water. Smart systems and controlled temperatures will aid in reducing water loss and use.

2. Regulated environment

Vertical gardening gives you greater control over the environment in which your plants develop as opposed to an outdoor garden, which is impacted by temperature changes, sunlight, and frost.

3. Agricultural diversification

4. Space preservation

Plants can be stacked to conserve space and produce more crops. Since not everyone has access to a backyard, vertical farms enable everyone to grow their own food, whether or not they have a backyard garden.

When agronomists discovered that razor-thin layers of polyethylene film could successfully adjust surface temperature, limit weed development, and minimize moisture loss, they began using it across farmlands in the 1950s. This approach was found to boost cotton, maize, and wheat yields, which are all important elements in crop production. Farm plastics have grown into a multibillion-dollar business thanks to the promise of improved yields at a low cost.

Primary pollutants emitted by the polyethylene layer can last for centuries in the soil. Polyethylene residue, often known as white pollution, is becoming more common in treated soils.

Plasticulture, or the use of plastics in agricultural cultivation, is quickly becoming the most popular method for increasing farm yields and profitability.

In agriculture, a variety of plastics are utilized in a variety of applications, including:

Micro-Irrigation

Irrigation water and sprinklers are examples of micro-irrigation on farms.

Artificial Ponds

During the monsoons, artificial ponds made of plastic are created to preserve water.

Greenhouse

Greenhouses are a type of farming where the crop is cultivated in a contained way and is protected from the elements by firm netting or plastics suspended from a frame.

Plastic Mulching

Plastic mulching is a farming practice that involves growing crops using holes in a covering that is put across the ground.

Even though New York City is a major metropolitan area, inhabitants of all ages can gain knowledge regarding agriculture and farming. Aside from the newest farming trend known as vertical farming, there are also other programs about farming that you must have to learn.

If you want to know much about agriculture activities in NYC, check out the latest agricultural education programs for people of all ages and abilities.

Programs for Agricultural Education in NYC

Here is the list of programs where you can learn more about farming in New York.

Citywide Program of Farm School NYC

The Citywide Program is a one-year food justice-based urban agriculture training program. Before immersing in classes that consider the flow of a growing season, the program begins with a framework in universal education, food justice, and botany.

Farm Beginnings of Grow NYC

Farm Beginnings is a holistic agriculture education established by professional farmers and Farmer Assistance employees for farmers in New York City.

The program intends to assist persons in the northeast (particularly those from underprivileged populations) in establishing an ecologically responsible and financially profitable farm business.

Summer Camp of Harlem Grown

The summer camp program at Harlem Grown is designed to engage and inspire youngsters to experience the beauty of nature, become skilled farmers, taste and produce delectable foods, and live healthier lives.

Over the last 150 years, half of the world’s topsoil has vanished.

Land degradation is a problem that is caused by both natural and human influences including pollution, droughts, and overfarming. During land degradation, half of the topsoil on earth has already disappeared.

What is Vertical Farming?

Growing crops indoors and on vertically stacked layers is the best definition of vertical farming. Vertical farms can produce 1 ton of lettuce in 17% of the space required by typical farms, making them significantly more space-efficient. Although this is a straightforward remedy to land deterioration, the advantages do not end there.

Because pesticides are no longer required, environment-controlled farming reduces the usage of chemicals. According to a recent study from the United States, almost 71% of cases are attributed to soil contamination due to pesticides and reduced biodiversity.

In addition, thanks to recirculation, vertical farms can save up to 90% on water. When you consider that typical farms attributing to 70% of world water consumption, this is a huge step forward.

Benefits of Vertical Farming

Vertical farming makes use of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology, which includes the following:

AEROPONICS

Plants float in the air and solvents rich in nutrients are being sprayed.

HYDROPONICS

A water-based solution rich in nutrients is the source of the plant’s habitat.

AQUAPONICS

The ecosystem wherein plants grow is closely similar to that of the environment that houses fish.

In terms of agriculture and climate change, the Biden Administration and Congress are on a risky road that might favor the most harmful farm operations while unable to solve the climate crisis effectively. Aid for agriculture carbon environments and subsidies for harmful factory farms, two major pillars of their approach, will worsen concentration in the industrial agriculture sector while increasing pollution in low-income regions, particularly communities of color.

The Benefit of Agricultural Carbon Markets into the Agribusiness won’t Naturally Work

The carbon industries have a lengthy history of failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while causing harm to both the Black and brown communities.

Regardless of the financial effectiveness of the markets are, a few huge agrichemical and seed conglomerates seem to profit from this kind of soil carbon market strategy. For instance, Bayer and Syngenta are prepared to expand their market domination while sustaining chemical-intensive agriculture and food chain control.

Larger producers will most likely benefit from the carbon market leaving the smaller ones behind

In other areas, carbon markets have primarily benefited huge operators while leaving the smaller industries behind. Soil and other areas of the carbon markets will not have any distinction, increasing the consolidation of farmland ownership in the United States and eliminating small-scale farmers by introducing a new revenue stream that requires huge economies of scale to be sustainable.

Climate change is transforming the farming industry in approaches that we are just starting to getting to know with.

Wherever we go, climate change is highly present and felt by many. And, to be honest, this environmental phenomenon is such a big threat to the farming industry all over the world. Unfortunately, agriculture generally depends on good weather conditions such as rainfall, temperatures, wind, and the like.

With that in mind, farmers need to modify their practices in agriculture to be compliant with the continual change in the environment. Here are some ways that farmers generally adapt to reduce their effect on climate change.

Farmers’ Approaches in Reducing their Environmental Impact

1-Enhance Energy Efficiency

Energy utilization by farmers is generally higher as they use it for water heating, lighting, and space. This will then produces enormous amounts of operating costs and greater environmental impact. Knowing where and how to properly use such energy by farmers can effectively lower this effect.

2-Promote Proper Water Consumption

Due to climate change, there is an increasing scarcity of water. So, to promote farmers’ water conservation, try to adopt responsible water practices in agricultural settings.

3-Enhance Agricultural Diversity

The agricultural system can highly adapt to climate change once it becomes more diverse. Make use of farm integrated systems that mix crops, forestry, and livestock in one.

The following two areas are likely to see the most transformation during the coming year in agriculture: 1) alterations to support schemes, and 2), a concentration on the environment.

Rural areas are facing a period of revolutionary change. At Christmas, when people traditionally look to the future, it’s interesting to think about where new income streams could be found.

While there are a lot of issues to address, we think that businesses in the countryside have huge potential. If they do things properly and make some changes, they could see some great results.

Factors that may Trigger Change in Farming in 2022

Here are some of the key points to consider when you want to achieve a possible agricultural change by next year.

1-Carbon Credits

Carbon credits for rural businesses could bring new opportunities and income. But before selling carbon credits, people should understand how the market works and the long-term implications for their business.

2-Renewable Energy

Solar developers are likely to see a boom as the UK works to become carbon-neutral by 2050. Farmers and landowners are being encouraged to make use of their land, while the need for storage is expected to rise.

3-Environmental and Social Governance

Corporate efforts to offset their carbon emissions are turning former food-producing land into forestland. This creates opportunities for forest stewardship and rewilding but also threatens farmers’ livelihoods.