The Feed

Before the first Earth Day was held in 1970, American farmers dealt with the aftermath of the Dust Bowl that hit the Southern Plains throughout the 1930s. Farmers recognized that their farming practices needed to change to prevent continued loss of topsoil. Today’s farmers continue to see the need to protect an array of cherished natural resources—clean water, clean air, pristine wilderness areas and other natural habitats, and abundant wildlife.

2017 4R Advocates, Joe Huebner, CHS, and Kyle Brase, Brase Farms, briefed members of the Congressional Fertilizer Caucus and other Congressional staff on 4R Nutrient Stewardship. The event was attended by more than 65 staff members. Huebner and Brase were welcomed by Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), a third-generation farmer who served as the director of Washington state’s Department of Agriculture prior to being elected to Congress in 2014.

Research and experience tell us there is a delicate balance between sufficient fertilizer to make a crop and excess fertilizer resulting in environmental loss. The complexities of managing a system with biological, physical and chemical properties are confounding. And water “aka rain” - whether too little, just right or too much – creates even more consternation. We can’t let these challenges be excuses for inaction.