Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life

A MacArthur Fellow’s impassioned call to make agriculture sustainable by d the plow, covering the soil, and diversifying crop rotations. The problem of agriculture is as old as civilization. Throughout history, great societies that abused their land withered into poverty or disappeared entirely. Now we risk repeating this ancient story on a global scale due to ongoing soil degradation, a changing climate, and a rising population. But there is reason for hope. David R. Montgomery introduces us to farmers around the world at the heart of a brewing soil revolution that could bring humanity’s ailing soil back to life remarkably fast. Growing a Revolution draws on visits to farms in the industrialized world and developing world to show that a new combination of farming practices can deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions to problems farmers face today. Cutting through standard debates about conventional and farming, Montgomery explores why practices based on the principles of conservation agriculture help restore soil and fertility. Farmers he visited found it both possible and profitable to stop plowing up the soil and blanketing fields with s. Montgomery finds that the combination of no-till ing, cover crops, and diverse crop rotations provides the essential recipe to rebuild soil matter. Farmers using these unconventional practices cultivate beneficial soil life, smother weeds, and suppress pests while relying on far less, if any, fertilizer and pesticides. These practices are good for farmers and the environment. Using less fossil fuel and agros while maintaining crop yields helps farmers with their bottom line. Regenerative practices also translate into farms that use less water, generate less , lower carbon emissions―and stash an impressive a of carbon underground. Combining ancient wisdom with modern science, Growing a Revolution lays out a solid case for an inspiring vision where agriculture becomes the solution to environmental problems, helping feed us all, cool the planet, and restore life to the land.

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