Farmers Save money, water by adopting climate-smart agriculture practices – California Agriculture News Today
Farmers Save money, water by adopting climate-smart agriculture ... California Ag Today
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Courtesy of UC ANR News
CDFA, UC ANR help farmers access $36 million in grants to improve water-use efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions
A Hmong small-scale farmer in Merced County has saved about 14.4 acre-inches of water annually and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 12.406 MTCO2e per year (equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions produced from burning 1,396 gallons of gasoline) after upgrading her farm. Rosie Lee – who sells Asian greens, green beans, corn, strawberries and other produce at her farm stand and to Asian markets – is one of hundreds of growers benefiting from California Department of Food and Agriculture incentives and funds with the assistance of Climate Smart Agriculture community education specialists.
“She is one grower who would not have access to those funds without my bringing my computer out to the field,” said Caddie Bergren, a Climate Smart Agriculture community education specialist who has been working with growers in Merced County since the program’s launch.
To make it easier for farmers to adopt new practices, CDFA and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources partnered to create the Climate Smart Agriculture program.
“Since 2019, UC ANR’s Climate Smart Agriculture Team has provided in-depth technical assistance to more than 1,300 farmers and ranchers in 24 counties,” said Hope Zabronsky, academic coordinator for UC ANR’s Climate Smart Agriculture team. “Through their strong relationships with diverse farming communities, they support the implementation of soil health, water efficiency, and manure management practices that optimize climate benefits for all growers and Californians.”
The program’s community educators work with farmers and ranchers in 24 California counties to get CDFA-funded grants and implement Climate Smart Agriculture projects. These efforts, which emphasize outreach to underserved farmers and ranchers, have resulted in a total of $36.5 million invested from the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program or SWEEP, the Healthy Soils Program, and the Alternative Manure Management Program.
“Agriculture is an important part of the climate solution,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This funding enables CDFA and UC ANR to partner with farmers and ranchers to scale up climate-smart agricultural practices. This is essential as we contend with our hotter, drier future.”
Lee, the Hmong grower, had been growing 18 acres of vegetables by flood irrigating with groundwater. To save water and reduce pumping costs, she asked Bergren to help her apply for SWEEP funds to convert to drip irrigation and install solar panels.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the efforts of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) to help farmers improve water-use efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts are directly connected to SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The article also mentions the installation of solar panels, which relates to SDG 7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Additionally, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions aligns with SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Finally, the emphasis on soil health and the implementation of practices that optimize climate benefits aligns with SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
- Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to improving water-use efficiency (Target 6.4), increasing the share of renewable energy (Target 7.2), integrating climate change measures into policies and planning (Target 13.2), and combating desertification and restoring degraded land (Target 15.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Water savings (acre-inches of water saved annually)
- Greenhouse gas emissions reduction (MTCO2e per year)
- Investment amount ($36.5 million)
- Number of projects funded (more than 420 projects)
- Water savings estimate (8.3 billion gallons of water saved during project lifetime)
- Carbon dioxide-equivalent reduction estimate (more than 355,000 metric tons)
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include water savings (measured in acre-inches of water saved annually), greenhouse gas emissions reduction (measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year), investment amount ($36.5 million), number of projects funded (more than 420 projects), water savings estimate (8.3 billion gallons of water saved during project lifetime), and carbon dioxide-equivalent reduction estimate (more than 355,000 metric tons).
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. | – Water savings (acre-inches of water saved annually) – Investment amount ($36.5 million) – Number of projects funded (more than 420 projects) – Water savings estimate (8.3 billion gallons of water saved during project lifetime) |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | – Investment amount ($36.5 million) |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Greenhouse gas emissions reduction (MTCO2e per year) – Carbon dioxide-equivalent reduction estimate (more than 355,000 metric tons) |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | – Investment amount ($36.5 million) |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: californiaagtoday.com
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