Earth Day is every day
Producers instrumental as land stewards, food, energy providers
By Roger Johnson
WASHINGTON -- As society becomes more aware of our environment and the need to implement more sustainable practices, Earth Day, which was celebrated April 22, takes on added significance as a day to reflect on ways to continue improving our sustainability as a nation and to recognize the contributions of agriculture.
America's family farmers and ranchers work hard every day to be good stewards of our soil, water and wildlife while providing the safest, most affordable, most abundant food supply in the world.
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Energy development
Family farmers and ranchers are working to produce biofuels to help ease America's dependence on foreign oil. A full move to E15 would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8 million tons per year, which is the equivalent of taking 1.35 million vehicles off the road.
Family farmers and ranchers also are instrumental in harnessing other sources of renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy. Community wind projects are especially beneficial, as they allow local communities greater ownership of wind projects, rather than outside developers. Community wind projects produce 2.6 times as many jobs and 3.1 times as much economic benefit as wind projects with outside ownership.
For America's family farmers and ranchers, every day is Earth Day.
Editor's Note: Johnson, former North Dakota agriculture commissioner, is president of the National Farmers Union.
