Before this week’s weekly connection session, I had the opportunity to speak with Nicole about the phosphorus drawdown study that has been ongoing in Maryland since the 1970s. This study focuses on how long it takes for phosphorus to be drawn out of the soil, and the environmental implications of nutrient buildup. Until that conversation, I didn’t know why Maryland enforces such strict regulations on phosphorus use, especially compared to other regions of the US. Nicole explained that phosphorus runoff from fields enters the Chesapeake Bay and contributes to excessive aquatic plant growth. These plants then deplete the oxygen in the water, threatening the survival of aquatic animals. This insight shifted how I think about nutrient application and the effects outside of the field.
Her explanation also made me reflect on how heavily soils are treated in agriculture, constantly receiving inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers. I started to question whether or not the land is ever allowed to recover. While these practices aim to increase productivity, they can also strain the long-term health of the soil and surrounding ecosystems.
During the weekly session, soil
health was once again a key focus. The presentation reinforced some of what I
had learned earlier that day. The consistent emphasis on sustainable nutrient
management deepened my appreciation for the complexity of soil systems, as well
as the rules and regulations that local farmers abide by.
The video for our pre weekly
connection activity (link) featuring Dr. Rattan Lal offered a broader perspective.
The world produces enough food to feed 10 billion people, one in seven
individuals remains food-insecure, and two to three in seven are malnourished.
These statistics led me to reflect on my own habits around food waste. I
realized that I often buy more food than I need, especially fresh produce that
doesn’t always last through the week. Growing up, my family would go grocery
shopping once per week, and that habit has followed me into adulthood. However,
after this week, I’m considering smaller, more frequent shopping trips to
minimize waste and reduce the chance of food spoiling before I eat it.
Looking toward the future, I see my
contribution to sustainable agriculture as primarily personal. I hope to own
land one day, and when I do, I plan to protect the soil by planting native
species and cultivating a biodiverse, healthy landscape. While I may not be in
a position to manage large-scale conservation practices, I believe these small,
intentional actions still matter.
Throughout this week, I helped mix pesticides, including one used in Kurt’s organic pesticide trials. The organic solution had a soapy consistency, which made application more difficult. I also assisted with weed termination using flame. The process was time-consuming and involved flaming multiple rows of weeds repeatedly. When we weren’t working with pesticides, I entered data into ARM and helped assemble the 2024 weed control results book. Overall, a good week!
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