Families recycle. Workers car-pool. Detroit auto-makers adhere to emissions standards. So, too, farmers are becoming as concerned with putting the environment first as our their urban counterparts. Soil erosion, groundwater contamination, pollution, wildlife disruption, and natural resource depletion are all byproducts of conventional chemical-based farming methods. New methods of farming like narrow strip farming, no-till farming, contour farming, terracing, and others are all designed to help protect the environment. Farmers benefit from soil, air, and water that are in top condition, and many of these methods are also designed to help maintain this condition while benefiting the environment. This analysis will focus on two methods of farming which help farmers control erosion while reducing the amount of chemical contaminants and run-off to water bodies: contour farming and terracing. Some programs used in the hilly terrain of Southern Alabama will be discussed in order to show the benefits to farmers and the environment when contour farming and terracing are combined. A conclusion will address the trends in agriculture designed to make farming more environment-friendly and sustainable.
Contour farming is a method of farming which helps reduce soil erosion due to water washing soil away. It is ideal for farming on hilly land, like the hilly farmland of Southern Alabama and other similar regions. Contour farming manages to reduce erosion by 50% and combined with terracing they reduce erosion 75% (Lindholdt 1). In contour farming, the grooves where planting happens is at right angles to the slope of the terrain. It is similar to the rain gutters around the edge of a house roof at right angles to the slope. When planting occurs on the contour, hundreds of small dams are the result of crop row ridges. These dams are able to slow down the water flow while increasing filtration. Both of these reduce erosion from water...