Focusing the future of farming on agro-ecology

Authors: Franzluebbers, Alan; WENDROTH, OLE - University Of Kentucky; CREAMER, NANCY - North Carolina State University; Feng, Gary

Submitted to: Agricultural and Environmental Letters
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/9/2020
Publication Date: 10/15/2020
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J., Wendroth, O., Creamer, N., Feng, G.G. 2020. Focusing the future of farming on agro-ecology. Agricultural and Environmental Letters. 5, Article 20034.

Interpretive Summary: The future of humanity and how agriculture can continue to support the food and fiber needs of a burgeoning population is threatened by agriculture’s persistent negative effects on the environment. The essential natural resources that will be needed in increasingly greater capacity are being undermined from contemporary agricultural practices that continue to deplete the soil resource base, pollute freshwater and coastal estuaries needed for life support, reduce habitat to support biodiversity, and emit harmful greenhouse gases that compromise our ability to withstand changes to the climate. Solutions to these problems are available in known and increasingly well documented approaches that manage agricultural systems in harmony with nature, not against her. This commentary provides a message that we should be seeking healing of our planet, not just less harm than in the past. It’s an important distinction that needs to be considered for the future health of the people and the planet.

Technical Abstract: Not a formal research paper. Please see interpretive summary.