VIDEO: Rodale CEO video interview explains how organic farming will combat climate change

No doubt that the expansion of organic farming is needed to mitigate impacts of warming. As well soil associated with organic farming is much healthier and can produce more than conventional agriculture that weakens the soil structure therefore making conventional farming susceptible to droughts and erosion. We must relearn real farming and not rely on WalMart or Target to purchase bagged soil, chemical fertilizers and pesticides

Just my 2 cents on the hunger issue, a very important question indeed. In my opinion one of the main reasons for hunger today is poverty and not low yields. The highest yields can't feed those who can't afford to buy food or who have no access to it. I don't think that American surplusses feed the starving in different parts of the world.

Another thing one should consider is the nutritional value of HFCS processed from corn, and the like. At least I can think of better ways to use that acres and acres of farmland for.

But apart from that, yields do not automatically have to be lower in organic production. It depends, as ecology is a complex matter.

The empahasis with organic farming, indeed sustainable ag, is on locally grown food. It is already being done by Whole Foods and a few other box stores including Walmart where it is possible for them to do it. The problem, as it is with the Dallas Farmer's Market, is a shortage of farmers, especially organic farmers. Presently we are heavily dependent upon the San Joquin Valley, the Rio Grand Valley, Mexico and Florida. Too dependent, actually. as farming became so hugely industrialized we lost focus on small local producers, who with the correct practices could largely impact food production and limit the amount that needs to be shipped long distances.

Industrial ag caters to large factory farms, to the point that small farmers really no longer have a voice. It would be better if all farms were organic, or nearly so, and I believe market forces will cause that to happen if producers will take advantage of the opportunities available to producing amd marketing locally in a sustainable system.The market is definitely there.

I think it has been brought up in an earlier comment here, but wouldn't using organic (as in not using petroleum - based fertilizers and pesticides) farming, due to lower yields and the requirement for cover crops, lead to more farm land and therefore the requirement for transporting the produce even farther to the consumers? It looks like we can end up damaging more of what we are trying to protect in the first place! On the other hand, instituting more stringent emission regulation for agricultural equipment (think agricultural equivalent of Toyota Prius if you will) which there aren't any as far as I know may save more greenhouse gas emissions than eliminating most of the oil-based fertilizers.

I studied Environmental Engineering at Iowa State and one of the subjects we coverd in depth was the runoff of pesticides from farm fields. It is a huge problem! Iowa has some of the worst water in the country as a result. Pig Farming waste control is also a large issue.

With such grace Mr LaSalle talks of carbon sequestration. No doubt he has been talking of virtues of organic matter for many years.
Thank you all those pioneers of the Rodale institute. (And other organic Research institutes around the world) Those years of studies and field trials can benefit so many. I will be encouraging others to listen to this video, learn more about soils vital role on our planet. An especially big thanks to all the farmers who have built up their soil fertility through organic farming. I trust that one day you will be recognised as the true warriors of Climate Change, gardening and farming that can save the planet.

Here in Australia we have a thin mantel of soil that covers a vast ancient land is organic farming more vital to our survival? i live at Bondi Beach in an apartment. My contribution? buying organic food to eat, knowing many beings benefit from the microbes in the soil, to the plants animals farmers, millers, bakers and other food makers on its route to my table, to share with family and friends

It is an " inconvenient truth” that industrial agriculture has such a destructive effect on ecological systems and the climates health. building up soil fertility, What a great way to save the planet.

This is truly amazing what could be done if all would work together. However the costs may become too high for some farmers to start farming with this organic farming nomatter what the benefits are from it. It just may not be possible to do on most farms because of the costs it's going to take to reorganize their working habbits and routines towards organic farming. A great insight this video has and a good value to all of us to really start thinking what could be done to the climate temperature raising issue.

For over 15 years I've been doing soil research, with a focus on composting, and how quality compost can improve Soil Health, and soil productivity, including natural disease and pest resistence, along with the incredible moisture management of compost amended soil.

I believe we can create massive synergy by working together, and look forward to working more closely with The Rodale Institute.

John Crockett, Mother Nature's Farms, New York

these are a few things to convince farmers to swith. 1) health issues with cancer causing chemicals 2) gentic modified foods have not been tested long enouf to know the true outcome of this science 3) educating the people who buy the food to know how many chemicals are beeing used on the food they buy. Some crops are sprayed up to 4 times with chemicals that kill plants or insects or rodents. These chemicals can kill even large animals in far fields like coyotes . 5) when all else fails price is the key. If organic crops payed super high premuims even the greediest non caring farmer would switch to growing organic food. btw i am an organic farmer in saskatchewan canada. and these are my personal views

We could all benefit from eating more nutrition dense foods and the research has proven that eating less is healthy and adds longevity.

Let's eat less more tasty delicious food sit with our friends and family talk and enjoy the bounty. Organic nourishes the soil, the person eating it and the planet. That sounds like a triple win to me!

kim
reddale farm
pennsylvania

Organic farming really helps the environment because any chemical use like pesticides will always have an impact to the environment and the air we breathe.

Staying as natural and plant organic plants is the best, just like nature tended it to be.

I don't make much money, but I still have enough to go to movies, go out for dinner, go golfing, go on a yearly trip out of state, and do various other entertainment-based activities. So paying more for my food should be possible. And the more I think about how much work goes into producing food, the more I realize it should cost more. Let's all think about our willingness to pay for what sustains our lives.

25% is a big number... My main question would be.. doesn't organic farming generally produce much smaller yields (tonnage per acre)? If that is true (I may be wrong) it seems like we would be improving the environment on the one hand.. while contributing to world hunger on the other. Organic typically costs the consumer more and with lower yields seems like it would be doing more damage than good.

Very interested video. Every one of us must do something to fight this, according to me, huge problem.If we don´t do something to reduce this global warming who will...

Will this system also reduce the addition of manure for farmers. Will this ecological way of farming produce similar incomes for the farmers and is adding manure no longer necessary.

manure, especially if used too much for increased crop grow, can do considerate damage to the environment. Especially bodies of water can get too much nutrients in this way and oxygen depletion will kill most animals or through the system off balance.

Does this new system also take on that problem?

Thanks for a very interesting interview. Concerning global warming problem the key question is how many thousand years will it take for the dramatic effect to the farming

Hi Tim, you just did a great job in sharing your earth and humanity healing solutions from Rodale. I would like to use this in my presentations, too. I'm a policy activist cum lobbyist in Pakistan and think there still is no better practical and physical solutions to climate change, food and energy crises than your experience. Congratulations for keeping the solutions simple and user friendly. More power!

Grace

Dear friend its a question that every body facing.Most of the farmers are aware of what is happening in the ecosystem.But its their intuitive opinion,we need to bring in the science of natural/organic methodology to the fore front.Alternative,community based,equitable marketing system needs to be looked at.The existing market system is unjust,manipulative and biased.
The main stream market is not interested and it doesnt recognise organic/natural products.This is the major question that prevail over many honest efforts done in the field of organic farming.
In India the aquifer depth has gone down till 400 metres.This un judicious and unfair to ecosystems.Now its innevitable for farmers to shift the land in to not only organic/natural but this requires a complete paradigm shift in the crop pattern that we have practiced so far.There is an urgent need to go in for biological diversity to meet the immediate requirements of soil for biological remediation and restoration.We nee to identify the local plant species that sustain both ecosystem and livelihood.
Regards
L.C.Nagaraj

Great Job, Tim!

I,intend to use this one in some of my presentations.

gwb

hi mate, how can you encourage framer to do organic farming? can u please answer of this que. as soon as possible. thankx