Farmers are the Stewards of Our Health
The Dirt on What's Making Californians Sick - SF Chronicle
A bold vision for agriculture in California to advance the health of our soils, the health of our ecosystems and the health of our people through uplifting farmers
Doctors can help us when we are sick, but Farmers hold the key to keep us healthy.
Food is Medicine. Soil Health is Human Health.
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We have an exciting opportunity to forge new partnerships to uplift and fully support the work of our farmers who hold the key to our health in how they steward the soil. We are a team of farmers, doctors, nurses, public health workers, soil scientists, food policy workers, farm worker supporters, foundations and advocates who are creating a 10 year roadmap to give each farmer in California what they need to advance an agenda that prioritizes soil biodiversity, regenerating soil fertility while keeping crop production robust if not improved. Improving soil biodiversity increases nutrient cycling, water retention and the amount of carbon dioxide that gets turned into stable soil carbon. By moving all 43 million acres of California agriculture into fully supported regenerative systems, we can eliminate the need for synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides which compromise soil biodiversity and harm human and insect health. We propose public/private massive investment directly to our farmers--to offer direct technical assistance and financial support to ensure they cannot fail over a 10 year transition. We also propose to increase the public awareness into the crucial work and value of our farmers and farmworkers, who not only make the delicious foods we love, but hold the key to our health in their hands. .
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