A farmer, a biologist, and the future of civilization
January 8, 2009
Our ability to feed ourselves rests on the ability to nourish the soils that provide the plants that we and our food animals eat. While many other issues are important, there are probably none as immediately linked to our survival as this.
For this reason, a recent op-ed discussing soil and agriculture by a farmer and a plant biologist was much more interesting than it might sound. Along with supplying clean freshwater, managing soil and agricultural land is the bedrock of our civilization – and their viewpoint is well worth the time it takes to read.
It’s also a good illustration of the importance of ecology in our daily lives. By understanding how plants, soil, and erosion are related, we can better protect the precious soil that nourishes us. Crafting smart policies in farm bills to help this process are an important part of this, and ecologists and farmers have a large role to play.
