Take time to thank the original environmentalists on this Earth Day

As we celebrate Earth Day on Friday, April 22, let's take a minute to thank the original everyday environmentalists -- America's farmers and ranchers.

According to data from the U.S. Census and the National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS), in 1960 there were 3.9 million farms feeding a U.S. population of 183 million. In 2007, there were 2.2 million farms feeding 301 million people. That is a population increase of 64 percent while farm numbers decreased by 1.7 million.

In order to maintain a safe, plentiful food supply, farmers and ranchers must remain efficient and effective at what they do.

This is done by implementing good environmental practices into their operations to not only conserve but to also improve natural resources and enhance land productivity. Farmers and ranchers utilize soil testing, brush and weed management programs, grazing plans and minimum or no-till systems as ways to manage natural resources.

Grazing lands that are managed for both livestock production and wildlife often times have better wildlife species survival than when managed separately. In the Eastern and Central United States, wildlife are almost entirely dependent on ranch, farm or other private lands to survive.

Nearly 85 percent of U.S. grazing lands are unsuitable for producing crops; by utilizing these lands we more than double the area that can be used for food production. Cattle play an important role in our ecosystem by converting forages that humans cannot utilize into nutrient-dense food.

U.S. farmers and ranchers are responsible stewards of the air and atmosphere as their livelihood is closely connected to preserving a healthy, safe, clean environment. Controlling dust and maintaining good air quality has been priority for generations.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the entire agricultural industry in the U.S. accounts for only 6 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions while livestock is only a small percentage (2.9 percent) of the total ag emissions. Methane levels have declined 7.4 percent from 1990 while livestock accounts for only 2.6 percent of total U.S. emissions.

Other ways they help the environment on a daily basis include: fencing off streams and ponds, planting trees for windbreaks, providing habitat for ground nesting birds, practicing contour farming, fertilizing with livestock manure, establishing grass on highly erodible land, using solar-powered electric fence chargers and planting cover crops to increase soil fertility.

Farmers and ranchers are committed to leaving the environment in better shape for future generations. Preserving, conserving and restoring natural resources like grasslands, wetlands, clean air and water and wildlife habitat are as important to them as they are to anybody. This commitment allows one U.S. farmer to feed 144 people worldwide, compared to 25.8 in 1960.

Editor's Note: Delta George is a K-State Research and Extension agriculture and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720.