Mulch is used to help the soil retain its moisture. We tend to think of mulch as something organic made from materials such as bark chips or dead leaves, but the reality is mulch can take the form of plastic. In fact, many farmers use a plastic form of mulch to keep the soil … [Read more...] about Sand coated in soybean oil is a green substitute for plastic mulch
farming
It could be possible to stop locust swarms using their own scent
A single locust is just bigger than a paper clip. But when these solitary critters attract others into a growing swarm, billions of locusts wind up flying together, forming a moving carpet that can block out the sun and strip the landscape of plants and crops. Giant swarms like … [Read more...] about It could be possible to stop locust swarms using their own scent
Agroforestry isn’t just good for the planet. It’s also good for wallets
In the latter part of 2016, Ethan Steinberg and two of his friends planned a driving tour across the United States to interview farmers. Their goal was to solve a riddle that had been bothering each of them for some time. Why was it, they wondered, that American agriculture … [Read more...] about Agroforestry isn’t just good for the planet. It’s also good for wallets
A startup is farming algae to reduce the environmental footprint of cows
In a new factory on the Swedish coast, a startup called Volta Greentech will soon begin commercial production of Asparagopsis taxiformis, a type of red seaweed that’s never before been grown on land. The seaweed is being farmed because it has a unique ability to fight climate … [Read more...] about A startup is farming algae to reduce the environmental footprint of cows
Square Roots aims to revolutionize food production in urban areas
As the world population is growing and urbanizing at a fast pace, and with climate change threatening existing supplies of food, there is an increasing urgency for the food industry to come up with new ways to grow food quickly. Recently, vertical farming has been catching the … [Read more...] about Square Roots aims to revolutionize food production in urban areas