Farm Bill and soil erosion
The 2023 Farm Bill, under consideration in Congress, could reshape agricultural policy by shifting federal resources to encourage farmers and ranchers to practice healthy soil management techniques. These techniques would help prevent erosion and deadly dust storms like the one that occurred in May. It would also reduce the problems of water scarcity and pollution, nutrient deficiencies in soil and losses from farms that threaten farmers’ livelihoods. In addition, this approach would foster the growth of more nutritious food for consumers and the potential to make farming more profitable because of the reduced need for fertilizers and pesticides.
The disastrous crashes on Interstate 55 on May 1, caused by strong winds blowing dirt from farm fields, killed eight people and injured dozens of others. The dust was fertile topsoil from newly plowed farm fields. Implementing climate-smart regenerative agriculture practices, including no-till and cover crops on farms, would prevent future dust storms and tragedies.
Researchers from Earth’s Future estimate the Midwest has lost more than 57 billion metric tons of soil in the last 160 years. Smithsonian Magazine indicated this loss of topsoil has occurred despite conservation efforts implemented in the 1930s after the Dust Bowl; it is estimated to be double what the U.S. Department of Agriculture says is sustainable. The USDA has reported that no-till practices have been implemented by 51% of soybean, cotton, corn and wheat farmers in the U.S., but other studies have shown that cover crops — plants grown during the offseason that are also part of the solution — protect only 4.8% (1 in 20 acres) of corn and soybeans across Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Minnesota. A satellite-imagery study conducted by the Environmental Working Group confirmed the number of acres protected by cover crops is a small percentage.
Farmers need incentives in the 2023 Farm Bill to expand cover crops to mitigate topsoil loss from high wind conditions and rainstorms. We need to see the broader consequences of our eroding topsoil and press federal policymakers to include incentives for soil health management practices in the Farm Bill. The focus now should be on preventing future tragedies.
— Donna Twickler, Don Viecelli and Pamela Tate, Climate Reality Project, Chicago