Contour Farming

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 farm

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length, and the human elements (accuracy and uniformity of the layout). One of the cons of this method of erosion control is that the farmer must spend a great deal of time to ensure the maximum use of the land. Very often, contour farming is combined with other methods of erosion control, especially terracing. Together, terracing and contour farming reduce erosion by 75% or more because of their effectiveness in preventing erosion from soil washed away by water run-off and their ability to help retain moisture. Terracing involves the construction of small earthen embankments on croplands that are sloped. Terracing is as old as man himself is as many civilizations have grown crops on terraces in mountainous terrain. Terraces are able to retard water and reduce erosion because the earthen embankments are placed across the slope to check water flow and minimize erosion. Terracing can be achieved on long, mild slopes or on very steep ones. Terracing also provides the benefit to farmers of increasing land surface area "Terracing increases the land area in production. On slopes of 30 degrees, bench terracing increases the productive land surface by 25 percent. Therefore, for every 4 hectares of bench terraces, a farmer gain

Category: Economics - C