One of the many email updates I receive is Cow-Calf Weekly. This week’s edition includes a thoughtful editoral by Alaina Burt. I know that dairy producers are this country’s number one Earth Day observers!
Since 1970, April 22 has been celebrated as Earth Day, and is now observed by 500 million people and governments in 175 countries. It’s one day that millions of people pause in the midst of their busy routines to step outside and enjoy the spring sunshine while pondering their personal contributions to the earth.
For ag folks, celebrating the earth and the environment is something we do every day. We get our hands dirty caring for the soil, livestock and wildlife and are thankful we’ve been entrusted with such a grand task. We can learn from those honored folks in the cattle business who have been Environmental Stewardship Award Program nominees (check out what past winners have done at www.beef-mag.com; type “ESAP” into the site search).
Yet, there is still much to learn. No-till farming has reduced soil erosion, conservation programs continue to create habitats for wildlife, and effective manure management helps keep waterways clean and safe.
The take-home question is: how is your operation making Earth a better place? Your answer is what we need to communicate to the non-agricultural industry to debunk misconceptions about our business. We all have a great story to tell — whether it’s putting up duck houses, planting trees to reduce wind erosion, or implementing strategies to reduce and utilize manure waste — it’s our story, and it needs to be heard.