Summit County farmers share strategies for climate-resilient agriculture practices – Park Record
Summit County farmers share strategies for climate-resilient agriculture practices The Park Record
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Adaptive Agriculture Practices in Summit County to Offset Impacts of Extreme Weather and Drought
East Side farmers, land managers, climate activists, health experts, natural resources consultants, and even a veterinary emergency planner emphasized how adaptive agriculture practices in Summit County could help offset the impacts of extreme weather and drought.
More than 60 “movers and shakers” from across the Wasatch Back attended the Summit County Health Department discussion last month at the DeJoria Center in Kamas, making it the largest turnout for the speaker series yet. The Utah State University Extension also participated.
The meeting spotlighted innovative strategies in northern Utah and Summit County to manage and combat growing threats related to climate change while also acknowledging the interconnections of agriculture, mental health, and community resilience.
Conservation Practices for Resilient Agriculture
- Implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, no-till farming, composting, and solar energy
- Cultivating cover crops to enhance biodiversity, bolster soil health, and improve water retention
- Using techniques such as rotational grazing or beaver dam analogs to help restore the land
Colby Pace, owner and operator of Half Circle Cross Ranch, Bill White Farms manager Craig McKnight, U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarian Dr. Leah Trapp, and Gregg Simonds, owner of Open Range Consulting, the event’s panelists, stressed the importance of these conservation practices.
Pace, who received the 2020 Utah Leopold Conservation Award, highlighted the challenges faced by agriculture due to drought and emphasized the need for resilient practices.
Transition to Regenerative Agriculture
- Encouraging diversity in nature and moving away from monoculture in the agricultural industry
- Utilizing solar energy to improve soil health and community well-being
McKnight emphasized the importance of diversity in nature and the benefits of solar energy for healthier soil, animals, and communities. Trapp, the president-elect of the National Association of Federal Veterinarians, spoke about the shift from regenerative agriculture to extractive agriculture and the need for long-term stability.
Water Management and Soil Health
- Implementing water management strategies to enhance water retention and soil health
- Reducing bare ground to turn landscapes into water banks
Simonds shared his experience in transforming the Humboldt Ranch in Nevada into a thriving ecosystem through water management, drought insurance, and reducing bare ground to enhance water retention and soil health.
Supporting Local Farmers and Ranchers
The discussion also highlighted the importance of local support for farmers and ranchers. Community members were encouraged to buy through programs like “Utah’s Own” or the “Farm to Fork” program through the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, as well as at local farmers markets and livestock sales.
By implementing adaptive agriculture practices and supporting local farmers and ranchers, Summit County aims to build resilience in the face of climate change and ensure food security for the community.
Conclusion
The Summit County Health Department discussion brought together various stakeholders to emphasize the importance of adaptive agriculture practices in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather and drought. The speakers highlighted the need for conservation practices, transition to regenerative agriculture, water management, and local support for farmers and ranchers. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to building a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
For more information about environmental health or upcoming events, visit health.summitcounty.org.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality | Not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning | Not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | Not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries | Not mentioned in the article |
Source: parkrecord.com
