This Saturday is Earth Day - the anniversary of the day a voice was given to the environmental movement. A day when we celebrate and get our hands dirty. Nearly five decades have passed since the launch of this historic movement, celebrating the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency, passing laws such as the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, and more recently the launch of the National Organic Program. 

Spring is just around the corner; warming weather, planted fields, birds heading north, and buds emerging from branches. While most people are thrilled to see the seasons change, spring is arriving across the country 2-3 weeks earlier than normal in certain areas. Not surprising since 2016 was the hottest year on record, right after 2015 and 2014. 

Article written by Jo Ann Baumgartner, Wild Farm Alliance and was printed in MOSES Organic Broadcaster January/February 2017 Issue.

The National Organic Program’s (NOP) three-year waiting period for land to be free of prohibited substances unintentionally incentivizes producers to convert native ecosystems since this land is instantly ready for organic production. While organic agriculture is an ecological management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, it offers no environmental protections prior to certification.

Supporting Wild Farm Alliance with a tax-deductible donation is more important than ever before. Your donation will help farmers across the country create critical habitat for wildlife, protect precious water resources, and ensure the integrity of our agricultural lands for future generations. 

Learn about Wild Farm Alliance's accomplishments in 2016 and our plans for the upcoming year. 

Many things have changed over the last week. And while we prioritize our work for the next year, I have to be honest, there is a lot of uncertainty right now.

The cultivation of trees on agricultural land helps to enrich soils, maintain soil moisture and stop erosion, provide vital habitat for wildlife, as well as store carbon. This practice, where tree and shrub cultivation is incorporated among crops or pasture, is called agroforestry and is the center of attention in a recent study looking at how to reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture. 

As the days are getting shorter, leaves are changing colors and falling to the ground, and animals are looking for the winter resting spots, I think about how all of these natural, wild processes are connected. How the shorter days signal to plants to wind down photosynthesis; how the leaves falling fertilize the soil below; how hibernating animals slow their bodies' rhythms to conserve energy and make it through a food scarce season.