DeepSummary
The podcast episode features the story of a group of Puerto Rican farmers practicing agroecology, an agricultural method that mimics local ecosystems. After Hurricanes Maria and Irma hit Puerto Rico in 2017, causing massive damage to conventional farms, these agroecological farms bounced back much faster and proved more resilient.
The episode explores how agroecology works by utilizing diverse crops, avoiding synthetic fertilizers, and embracing practices like composting that build healthy soil. An expert explains how scaling up agroecology could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture while boosting food security in a warming world.
Despite the benefits, agroecological farmers in Puerto Rico face challenges like lack of government support and incentives that favor conventional agriculture. However, they remain committed to their mission of promoting sustainable farming practices that protect local food systems and communities.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Agroecological farming practices, which mimic local ecosystems, helped Puerto Rican farms recover faster after devastating hurricanes compared to conventional farms.
- Agroecology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture while boosting food security in a warming world.
- Scaling up agroecology requires reforming government policies and incentive structures that currently favor industrial agriculture over sustainable practices.
- Agroecology represents a broader shift in how we view our relationship with food and the environment, beyond just farming techniques.
- While facing systemic barriers, agroecological farmers remain committed to promoting sustainable practices that protect local food systems and communities.
- Experts highlight the need to align public investment in agriculture with public goods, such as supporting farmers who adopt soil-building practices like cover cropping.
- Agroecology draws from traditional knowledge and practices adapted to modern contexts, rather than being a completely new innovation.
- The resilience of agroecological farms highlights their potential as a climate solution for regions vulnerable to extreme weather events and disruptions to food supplies.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We're trying to farm in this holistic way. We're trying to see what the land already has, and how we can be successful with our communities.“ by Stephanie Montserrati
- “It's like the only, I think it's the only agriculture that we can bounce back as easily. So it's the only type of agriculture that makes sense for us and makes sense for our lands, our soils, and for our communities.“ by Stephanie Montserrati
- “I think what has so impressed me about this agroecological revolution in Puerto Rico is people are saying, you know, it's not, the goal is not the highest possible yields under ideal conditions. The goal is a stable community food source under a whole range of conditions that we're actually going to face.“ by Liz Carlisle
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Episode Information
A Matter of Degrees
Dr. Leah Stokes, Dr. Katharine Wilkinson
8/2/21