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Sherry Bohlen's avatar

Thank you for holding up this issue, Herb. I was very pleased that you included reference to regenerative farming, permaculture and agroecology. If these are new concepts to some readers, perhaps they'll take the time to look them up and learn about them. Thanks for planting the seeds.

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Chris Cerrato's avatar

Your solutions are right on the money. These ideas follow the general focus on sustainability which our new century has brought to light. While Americans may lag behind in regenerative agriculture alternatives, I am not sure what the data tells us, Europeans are more focused on the future and how to correct some of the industrial century mistakes that have led to the climate crisis and farming deficiencies. We have to integrate our "ecological systems into farming in ways that align with natural cycles rather than fighting against them." You are right, Herb, it's not about the money. The earth needs us to do the right thing, and soon, while we still have time to reverse the trend.

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Kimber Lanning's avatar

So happy to see you elevating this critical issue, Herb! All of the work we have been doing with farms to create a new Desert Adapted brand of nutrient dense food has now been shelved due to federal cuts and priority shifts. Sadly, our country is on a limited runway and that setback will make the pivoting necessary completely unattainable. Meanwhile the country's largest commodity crop producers (soy, corn, cotton) are being given stipends so they will stop fighting for a new farm bill, so they will be silenced into the same old approach.

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Wayne Feinstein's avatar

Good informative piece Herb, thank you. Nearly 30 years ago CA Gov Gray Davis signed an Agra exchange will w Israel to build and use desalinated water (israeli technology) on arable land in Ca… but implementation lagged and failed.

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Herb Paine's avatar

Thanks. I recall the agreement but not why it failed.

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Wayne Feinstein's avatar

Failure to organize and lead implementation.

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Herb Paine's avatar

A shame.

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