The Faces of Agricultural Sustainability: A Moving Target
In today’s world, nearly every issue carries at least two polarized perspectives, and agricultural sustainability is no exception. On one side, some view it as a bogeyman—a harbinger of regulations, increased costs, and government oversight. On the other, advocates see it as the proverbial knight in shining armor, arriving to ensure a future where resources aren’t just maintained but renewed. Neither side tells the full story, as sustainable agriculture evolves in the space between these two extremes, driven by pragmatism and necessity.
Only a few years ago, “sustainability” in farming circles drew a mixture of scorn and skepticism. The rationale was understandable: farmers worried that incentives to adopt sustainable practices would inevitably transform into mandates, making already challenging work even harder. Yet, recent data suggests a shift in thinking. USDA’s 2022 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) provides the latest detailed data on farmers’ adoption of various conservation practices. Not surprising, that and other reports suggest that more than half of America’s farmers are using some form of conservation practice such as conservation tillage, nutrient management, cover cropping or pest management, with variations by region and crop type. And that was two years ago.
The push toward environmentally conscious farming is more than a trend. Driving this change is innovation and technology, such as precision agriculture, data analytics, and biological solutions. These advances help farmers manage their operations more efficiently, profitably and sustainably.
The ability to monitor and transfer data in real-time is also allowing farmers to manage instantly. With GPS guidance and agtech sensors that track soil health and plant health, issues such as moisture, fertility and pests can be handled as they occur on the spot rather than broadly and preemptively. And when farmers apply resources precisely where needed, that reduced waste, saves money and optimizes yields.
Farmers, ever the pragmatists, don’t jump into new methods without proven benefits. Yet, they’re seeing sustainable practices not only validated but profitable, supported by incentive programs that reward these changes. Still, as soon as farmers gain comfort with sustainable practices, the bar is raised.
The term “regenerative agriculture” has entered the scene, challenging farmers to go beyond sustainability to actively improve their land, ecosystems, and biodiversity. For many, the ask can seem unreasonable. Unlike traditional sustainability, regenerative agriculture calls for practices that increase biodiversity, enrich soils, and even “sequester” carbon, addressing climate change directly.
Certain regenerative methods are reported to increase soil organic matter up to 40%, which improves water retention and may mitigate climate change by capturing carbon in the soil. However, these approaches sometimes require more labor and upfront costs, something that feels overwhelming during this year’s dismal farm economy.
In agriculture, we often talk about the key to sustainability is economic sustainability for the farmers. This should also be the keystone to regenerative agriculture…does it generate revenue over and above traditional farming practices. If the answer is yes, it will be adopted. One thing that will not encourage change is well-intentioned pressure from external voices. That only creates a disconnect by calling for rapid change that’s easier said than done.
The ultimate success of caring for the land while feeding its people will always rest in the hands of those who live and work on the land. Farmers may be skeptics, but when something works they become pragmatic. They’ve seen trends come and go, and they know that while terminology and demands may change, the core values of efficiency, productivity, and respect for the land remain constant.
At Stratovation Group, we see farmers as endlessly resilient, understandably navigating this moving target with that healthy measure of skeptical pragmatism. They continuously find ways to enhance productivity and protect the environment, regardless of trends or buzzwords. Because ultimately, true agricultural innovation has always come from those who live and work the land.
We are equally proud to support farmer advocacy groups, sustainability-focused organizations and agribusinesses in areas such as biologicals, agricultural drones and real-time data gathering. Working together with their farmer members and customers, they are transforming challenges into opportunities.