As food prices rise, environmental groups in Kentucky are urging for sustainable food systems and regenerative farming practices to be included in the new Farm Bill. The current legislation, which was enacted in 2018, will expire this fall, and lawmakers are working on shaping the new bill.
Hank Grady, a member of the Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter, points out that Kentucky has many farmers working on over 75,000 farms who want to move away from industrial farming. They believe that regenerative farming will lead to better and healthier products compared to the current industrial methods.
The Sierra Club emphasizes that certain soils are good at capturing carbon, but industrial farming practices like excessive tillage, overgrazing, erosion, and overuse of fertilizers have harmed their ability to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change.
Grady also mentions that water quality needs improvement in industrial agriculture. Although the state's Agriculture Water Quality Authority is a step forward, more support is needed to implement sustainable practices that ensure clean waterways and promote healthy food production.
Advocates are calling for changes to protect Kentucky's water quality from agricultural pollution and to prioritize soil health by reducing the use of chemicals and monoculture practices. Contaminated waterways often result from poorly managed practices in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and the misuse of pesticides, irrigation water, and fertilizers.
Including regenerative farming and sustainable approaches in the Farm Bill can address these concerns and create a more resilient and environmentally friendly agricultural future.
Categories: Kentucky, Government & Policy