Happy Earth Day - April 22, 2015

Statement by Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation Regarding Earth Day
Steve Nelson, President

“Earth Day was founded in the belief that we all have a role and responsibility in caring for the natural resources that we have been given and in the idea that we all have a part to play in leaving things better than the way we found them.”

“That belief is deeply embedded in Nebraska’s farm and ranch families. As farmers and ranchers, we take great pride in our ability to use these resources to help make food, fuel and fiber for others, as well as ourselves. As so many of us in agriculture know and understand, the resources we have today are a direct result of the care that was given to the land by past generations. It’s also the reason we’re committed to do the same for future generations.”

“Every day farmers and ranchers work to become better at what they do and Nebraska agriculture has a history of finding new and better ways to do things. Over the last 50 years farmers and ranchers have seen dramatic increases in productivity, while at the same time using fewer resources and inputs to do so, thanks in part to improved land management practices and farming techniques.”

“Earth Day is a time to recognize the good that has been done in taking care of our land and resources, while at the same time acknowledge that we can always work to make things better, which is the ongoing goal of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.”



On the Farm, Every Day is Earth Day

Today, the world commemorates Earth Day. Around the globe, communities will take part in activities, campaigns and events on this day to promote awareness of environmental issues. However, for farmers, promoting the health and stability of nature resources happens every day.

"Our farmers understand they have a great and enviable connection with the earth," said National Corn Growers Association Production and Stewardship Action Team Chairman Don Glenn, an Alabama corn grower. "Each day, farmers are busy implementing solutions that will allow us to produce food more sustainably, while protecting and preserving the environment. This job requires constant dedication to improving our operation and the land we work. Our livelihood depends on it."

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, American corn farmers have made great strides.  Based on the Field to Market Environmental Indicators report, since 1980, corn yields have increased by a remarkable 88 percent. Corn farmers have significantly reduced the environmental impact of producing corn, including using 30 percent less land, 44 percent less energy and 53 percent less water.

Guided by its farmer leaders, NCGA develops programs and initiatives to assist corn farmers in the never-ending need to operate more efficiently. These projects include developing educational sessions and materials in the areas of water quality, insect and weed resistance, crop protection management and seed traits and treatment. Checkoff funds are invested in biorenewable product research to help make biobased products economically viable. Awareness of best practices in sustainable corn production is expanded by highlighting an individual farmer each year in the Good Steward Recognition Program.

NCGA farmers also collaborate with other like-minded organizations. The Soil Health Partnership brings farmers, industry leaders, environmental advocates and academic personnel together to demonstrate the contributions improved soil health makes agricultural productivity, profitability and environmental sustainability. The Field Print Calculator analyzes the impact of management choices on natural resources and operational efficiency. These efforts have given the agricultural community tools and forums to measure performance and exchange ideas.



Growth Energy Commends the American Farmer on Earth Day

Today, April 22, marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. For 45 years, concerned citizens have been taking action to help ensure our planet and our environment are protected for generations to come. But long before the first Earth Day was recognized, the American farmer was sustainably providing food, feed, fiber and fuel for Americans and citizens across the globe. As true stewards of the land, American farmers have ensured we will always be able to grow the crops we need for food AND fuel. In recognition of Earth Day and the American farmers’ contribution to sustainability, Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, issued the following statement:

“For hundreds of years, America’s farmers have been working our land and providing the country and the world with high quality food, feed, fiber and fuel. These same farmers are committed to meeting the challenges of the 21st century with both cutting-edge innovations and a deep-rooted respect for the Earth. Farmers know that protecting the environment and sustaining the resources they use is critical to our current way of life and their livelihood. Furthermore, they understand the commitment that must be made must be made for future generations to continue their legacy and thrive.

“The American farmer is also the backbone of the renewable fuels industry. America’s biofuel industry is producing the cleanest fuels in the world, and thanks to American farmers’ hard work and commitment to our planet, we are making even bigger leaps forward right now. We are reducing our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating new American jobs that cannot be outsourced.

“Today, on Earth Day, we are proud that our industry will keep getting cleaner, keep farming more efficiently and keep discovering new ways to fuel America with biomass and waste products that represent a smarter, cleaner, homegrown alternative to foreign oil.

“There is no one more committed to protecting the Earth’s resources than America’s farmers. Adopting new innovation and stewardship practices to protect the Earth and efficiently feed AND fuel the world is the goal of America’s farmers, and they’re just getting started.”



NFU Salutes Earth Day, Family Farmers as the Original Conservationists

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today saluted Earth Day and family farmers, ranchers and fisherman for their role in protecting the earth while providing the world with a safe and abundant food supply.

“America’s family farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists, working to preserve and cultivate our natural resources while providing the world with the safest, most affordable and abundant food supply available,” said Johnson. “Earth Day is a celebration of clean air, land and water, and today we salute family agriculture for its contributions to a cleaner environment and sustainable food supply for everyone.”

Johnson said that family farmers and ranchers have historically been this nation’s best soil and water conservationists when given the economic incentives and flexibility necessary to do so.

“Conservation programs should be fully funded to benefit the environment, reward stewardship of land and water resources and marine habitat, discourage speculative development of fragile land resources, strengthen family farming, and enhance rural communities,” said Johnson.



Soil Makes the World Go Around - Earth Day 2015
Melissa Blair, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

Soil is such an important and integral part of our daily lives that most folks don’t even think about it. Often referred to as “dirt,” which is just displaced soil. Soil is critical for all forms of life. Soil is the basis of all ecosystems from the plant roots for crops that gives us food, fiber, and fuel as well as feeding assorted livestock that provide food and other daily byproducts that we use such as soap, medicine and leather to name a few.

Soil is also the basis of which the Soil Conservation Service, now known as the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), was founded 80 years ago. NRCS provides leadership along with partners to help America’s private land owners and managers conserve and protect their soil, water and other natural resources. NRCS employees across the U.S. daily provide sound science-based technical assistance and conservation planning, tailored to the land’s ability and the landowner’s goals and objectives. Participation is voluntarily and there is no fee for the assistance provided. NRCS programs also offer financial assistance to those wanting to install conservation practices recommended in their plan for improving soil health, water quality and quantity, and much more.

As population continues to boom, cities and towns continue to expand and industries grow to support the ever growing needs of our society, sustainability and soil health have become the focal points in helping meet the demands of our growing world, address climate change, while protecting the Earth and ourselves.

Franklin Roosevelt’s said it best in his 1937 letter to all State Governors on a Uniform Soil Conservation Law, “The Nation that destroys its soil destroys itself,” is as true today as it was back then. 

With world population is projected to increase from 7 billion in 2013 to more than 9 billion in 2050, it is estimated food production will have to rise by 70 percent to sustain this level of growth. Combine that with 14 million acres of U.S. prime farmland lost from 1982 to 2007 to development, improving soil health is going to be the key to long-term, sustainable agricultural production.* 

NRCS can help farmers, ranchers and landowners develop a soil health management plan, a roadmap to soil health, which provides environmental, economic, health, and societal benefits.

“Through implementing the conservation systems and practices to improve crops and soil functions, producers will see the benefits over time such as reducing erosion, improving soil filtration, increasing soil organic matter and water holding capacity, which helps protect against drought and other natural disasters,” said NRCS state conservationist, Salvador Salinas. “Healthy soils also reduce production costs, increase yields, decrease time spent working in the field or pasture, and can increase profits.”

 More than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate annually in Earth Day activities and events to celebrate protecting our environment, making it the largest civic observance in the world. NRCS is proud to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 since we spend every day protecting our environment and natural resources.