According to the UN biodiversity loss summary report, following and promoting good agricultural practices worldwide is step we can take to prevent species decline.
In Florida, agriculture is the second largest industry behind tourism, but is also one of the main sources of nutrient pollution. By following the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Best Management Practices for Florida Agriculture, agricultural producers can conserve water while reducing the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste and other pollutants that enter our water resources and pose a risk to plants and wildlife.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, sustainable agriculture means “good stewardship of the natural systems and resources that farms rely on.”
This involves:
- Building and maintaining healthy soil
- Managing water wisely
- Minimizing air, water, and climate pollution
- Promoting biodiversity
Thanks to decades of research about the best ways to feed ourselves, several key sustainable farming practices have emerged:
- Rotating crops
- Planting cover crops
- Reducing or eliminating tillage
- Applying integrated pest management
- Integrating livestock and crops
- Adopting agroforestry practices
- Managing whole systems and landscapes.
Read about each of the above practices at: What Is Sustainable Agriculture?
Next: Increase Capacity for Freshwater Storage