Sustainability Matters.
July is hot.
Did I mention how dry it has been as well?
Have you looked at some of our pastures and fields lately?
Summers like this don’t come around often.
Fortunately, farmers stand on research and technology to support water management practices that conserve natural resources and still allow us to grow food and produce feed and fuel during harsh times like these.
Phil Taggart from the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture-Cooperative Extension Service was a pioneer in the area of water conservation research and a leader in educational outreach supporting adoption of multiple inlet irrigation.
Irrigation water management practices like multiple inlet irrigation (poly-pipe) targets and reduces total water use. Sensor-based scheduling reduces irrigation by 50%
Multiple inlet irrigation is an irrigation method saving an estimated 21% (on average) and produces the same or slightly higher yields.
The pandemic exposed the fragile nature of our food chain.
When food is on the shelf in every grocery store at an affordable price you just don’t worry about it.
Until the shelves are empty.
Sustainability is something every farmer worries about every year.
The last decade has provided a perfect storm of challenges for farm families trying to hold on.
Global food production has flooded the market with lower-cost foods and commodities, while American farmer costs have continued to rise.
I am grateful that many consumers are choosing to support American farmers!
B & B soybeans were featured during July in The Green Corner Store tent at the Bernice Garden Farmer’s Market in Little Rock.
I had a customer thank me.
Not a simple “thanks” after he paid for his bag of vegetable soybeans.
He was walking away, stopped and turned, looked me in the eye, and said, “thanks for what you are doing.”
It was powerful. A tremendous gift on a hot day.
So, in turn, I want to say Thank-You to all of the B & B customers who purchased vegetable soybeans during the May-July events and/or from the Arkansas Local Food Network, The Green Corner Store, and The Bramble Market!
There is no magic to agriculture.
It is risky, often hot, recently dry, and always with an unexpected new challenge around the corner.
It helps if you are a dreamer!
Thanks for helping us hold on.
~Karen
P.S. More July farm photos are provided below.
