Monocropping

The common utilization of monocropping in early history has proven to be environmentally unsustainable, as this farming technique is detrimental to soil health. Monocropping exhausts soil of nutrients, and is therefore less productive in growing future crops. Growing one crop on the same plot of land decreases the biodiversity of fields, since only one or two crops are consuming an entire field. Additionally, pesticides are necessary to control a multitude of insect predators. If a pest’s food source comes from a large field of one crop, it will have abundant resources to reproduce in large numbers.

Vertical Integration

One major change in modern farming practice is “vertical integration“, which marked a shift from small farms producing many different crops to industrialized systems that focus on mass production. These large farming systems are often run by large corporations that dominate the food industry by creating “factory farms”. The growth of crops on these farms usually involves large-scale production sites to provide for the increasing human population. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are often used, as well as harmful animal antibiotics to treat animals involved in food production. Animal confinements, known as CAFOs, are also commonly used in industrial agriculture and are employed to feed animals used in food preparation. 

CAFOs are large sources of pollution, and affect both air and water quality. The 1972 Clean Water Act prompted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate animal confinement, but current regulations often lack enforcement. Many animal rights activists object to the treatment of animals in CAFOs. In practice, many of the cages created for animals are small and overcrowded, and pain medications are not utilized for painful procedures, such as tail docking. In 1970, the average dairy farm supported 19 cattle, and in 2006, this number grew to 120. Some of the largest farms in the country maintain more than 15,000 cattle. CAFOs are often not monitored closely by the EPA, so the enforcement of environmental and humane policies is limited.

Fertilizer

The use of fertilizer in farming can have negative environmental repercussions. For example, through natural runoff, chemicals in the fertilizer, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter nearby waterways. These chemicals promote the growth of microorganisms within water systems, inducing processes like eutrophication, which is caused by excessive algal growth and leads to the depletion of dissolved oxygen within water ecosystems. The microorganism “blooms”, causing fish and other organisms to suffocate from a lack of oxygen, eventually leading to a surplus of dead organisms, decreasing the overall water quality. In addition, some bacteria within manure can cause disease as well. Lastly, fertilizers can be dangerous to groundwater sources. When nitrates enter the soil, they are not absorbed within the ground, which causes them to seep into groundwater. In drinking water, nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia, which is a blood disorder in humans and other warm-blooded animals.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2019, the agriculture sector accounted for 10 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation of products, farming practices and machines, and factories all contribute to a larger abundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Fertilizers used on agricultural soil, the growth of nitrogen-fixing crops, and irrigation practices—among other methods of production—promote the release of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. Livestock contribute to atmospheric methane as they undergo enteric fermentation, which involves the digestion of food within their stomachs, specifically the stomachs of cattle. Manure management also affects the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere, currently accounting for 12 percent of agriculture-related emissions in the United States. Agriculture emission rates have increased by 12 percent since 1990. This is due to an increase in nitrous oxide releases from soil and livestock manure management, as well as a rise in methane production from livestock.

While greenhouse gas emissions prove to be an environmental problem, there are many opportunities to reduce the rate and quantity of their release into the atmosphere. Because the overuse of fertilizers leads to an increased production of nitrous oxide emissions, using less fertilizer can decrease emissions. Furthermore, by modifying pasture quality, farmers can decrease the amount of methane contributed to emission rates. Lastly, managing manure in a more sustainable way can reduce nitrous oxide and methane emissions.

Legislation

Many pieces of legislation have been aimed at regulating food production in an attempt to lower its impact on the environment. In 1970, the Clean Air Act was established, which regulated atmospheric emissions. The Clean Air Act was amended multiple times, as stricter policies were implemented to control air emissions. To address water pollution concerns, the 1972 Clean Water Act, an amendment to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948, was passed to monitor the amount of pollution in water systems. This law gives the EPA authority to set standards for wastewater. Finally, in 2007, the EPA mandated the “public reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from large sources.’. This was part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Sustainable Approach

Many farmers try to incorporate sustainable practices into their work. These farmers grow a more diverse set of crops and employ methods to minimize environmental impacts. Farmers incorporate crop rotation—using a variety of crops in their fields—and combine livestock and plants while farming, among other practices. Furthermore, farmers are trying to move away from the use of tillage in their routines. As sustainable agricultural practices become more prevalent, the future of farming will become more environmentally safe.