Opinion: With Sky-High Fertilizer Prices, There’s an Opportunity to Grow Crops More Sustainably
The Biden administration is paying US companies to boost synthetic fertilizer production to compensate for an unstable global fertilizer market, but there are other, more sustainable ways to cultivate crops.
What the Future of Almonds Looks Like in a Dry California
The state grows the vast majority of the global almond supply. As water becomes scarcer, what will happen to this versatile crop?
Tomatoes Are the Latest Victim of Climate Change
Researchers expect global tomato production to decline as droughts and rising temperatures affect major growing areas.
Why Scientists Want to Bring Farming to Swampy Peatlands
Wet agriculture, called paludiculture, turns peatlands into productive growing areas.
Can Dryland Farming Help Growers Endure Increasing Heatwaves and Drought?
Indigenous practitioners around the world have farmed with only rainwater for millennia. But it’s unclear whether conventional agriculture, which relies heavily on irrigation, will learn any of their lessons.
Facing Another Drought, California Proposes Buying Out Farmers’ Water Rights
Lawmakers are considering using part of the state’s $100-billion budget surplus to buy water rights back from farmers, putting money in their pockets while keeping water in rivers for endangered fish.
The Past, Present and Future of the West’s Water Woes
Western states are getting hotter and drier each year, with little to no water to support agricultural operations. How did we get here, and where do we go?
High Winds Are Rattling US Farmers This Spring
Farmers aren’t just battling water issues. They’re losing topsoil, moisture and crop residue, on top of other wind-related issues.
Can Biodigesters Save America’s Small Dairy Farms?
The sustainable technology presents an opportunity to turn cow manure and food waste into renewable energy and added income. But biodigesters are not always easy to operate, and they can be costly to replace.
