{"id":18274,"date":"2019-10-17T02:05:08","date_gmt":"2019-10-17T02:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/?p=18274"},"modified":"2019-10-18T12:48:51","modified_gmt":"2019-10-18T12:48:51","slug":"iowas-farmers-and-american-eaters-need-a-national-discussion-on-transforming-us-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/iowas-farmers-and-american-eaters-need-a-national-discussion-on-transforming-us-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa’s farmers \u2013 and American eaters \u2013 need a national discussion on transforming US agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lisa Schulte Moore<\/a>, Iowa State University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Iowa\u2019s first-in-the-nation caucuses<\/a> bring the state a lot of political attention during presidential election cycles. But in my view, even though some candidates have outlined positions on food and farming<\/a>, agriculture rarely gets the attention it deserves.<\/p>\n

As a scientist<\/a> at Iowa\u2019s land-grant university<\/a>, I believe our state is at the forefront of redefining what agriculture could be in the U.S., and addressing environmental and economic challenges associated with the extensive monocultures that dominate our current system. I think these conversations should be at the forefront nationally. After all, everyone needs to eat, so all Americans have a stake in the future of farming.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Judging produce on opening day of the 2019 Iowa State Fair.<\/span>
\nAP Photo\/Charlie Neibergall<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Iowa farms, so farms the nation<\/h2>\n

Iowa is a leading global producer<\/a> of corn, soy, pork, beef, eggs, ethanol, biodiesel, biochemicals and agricultural technology. Because it is home to just 3.2 million people<\/a>, Iowa farmers export the vast majority of what they produce. Most multinational agricultural businesses have Iowa offices, and the state also has considerable influence on U.S. farm bill<\/a> legislation.<\/p>\n

Iowans are also acutely aware of the challenges of modern agriculture, which affect their lands and livelihoods. They include soil degradation<\/a>, water contamination<\/a>, flooding<\/a> and loss of carbon<\/a> and habitat for native species.<\/p>\n

Farmers understand these effects, and many are actively working to reduce them<\/a>, as operational, financial and social conditions allow<\/a>. One example in which I am involved is the STRIPS project<\/a>, in which scientists, farmers, land owners and others are partnering to test the effects of seeding narrow strips with native prairie plants within and around corn and soybean fields.<\/p>\n

Over the last 13 years, we have shown that prairie is a valuable tool for protecting water supplies and providing habitat for wildlife<\/a>, including pollinators. Planting just 10% of farm fields \u2013 often in the least productive zones \u2013 with stiff-stemmed native prairie grasses helps hold water and sediment in place, reducing erosion and nutrient loss from fields. The strips also contain flowering plants that support birds and insects, including pollinators and natural enemies of crop pests.<\/p>\n