The Environmental Defense Fund is collaborating with Smithfield Foods on an initiative with feed grain farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce fertilizer runoff. The program is designed to educate farmers on optimal fertilizer applications and cutting down on nitrogen losses that can run off into lakes and streams, or emit potent greenhouse gas. According to Don Carr with the Environmental Defense Fund they’re hoping to bring the program to the Midwest in 2015.
Since the program is designed to help farmers utilize the optimum amount of fertilizer, Carr says yields are expected to increase, while decreasing environmental harm.
EDF and Smithfield are hoping the program will both help farmers save money on inputs while bending back the emissions curve. Cutting emissions will help mitigate climate change and ultimately help agriculture be more sustainable.