farmers
Newsletter
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Nevada encourages farmers to sell water rights to address groundwater depletion
Nevada's driest areas are testing a new program where farmers sell their water rights to reduce groundwater overuse and protect future agricultural prospects.
In short:
- Nevada's pilot program, funded with $25 million in federal aid, aims to purchase water rights from farmers to prevent aquifer depletion.
- The program received significant interest, with offers exceeding available funds, primarily from Diamond Valley farmers.
- Some farmers see selling water rights as a necessary adjustment, while others, especially older ones nearing retirement, find it a beneficial financial decision.
Key quote:
“We knew a lot of people moved to Nevada to farm, but we didn’t really think that many people would be successful or use their full allocations. They didn’t have the scientific understanding we do today.”
— Jeff Fontaine, the executive director of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority
Why this matters:
Reducing groundwater use is vital for the sustainability of farming in Nevada's dry regions. Without these measures, over-pumping could lead to severe water shortages, threatening the future of agriculture and local communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Farmers use solar panels to protect crops and conserve water
Arizona farmers are adopting solar panels to shade crops, conserve water, and generate power, aided by federal programs.
In short:
- Solar panels over crops provide shade, reducing water evaporation and protecting plants from extreme heat.
- The University of Arizona's agrivoltaics research shows increased soil moisture and crop yields with less water use.
- Federal programs like the Rural Energy for America Program offer loans and grants to support farmers in implementing renewable energy systems.
Key quote:
“Agrivoltaics actually helped us get even more bean production because now we were providing the shade, so they were less stressed.”
— Greg Barron-Gafford, University of Arizona professor
Why this matters:
Combining solar energy with farming helps Arizona combat drought, reduce water use, and increase crop yields. This sustainable approach supports farmers and aligns with broader environmental goals.
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Texas farmers face rising costs as drought worsens
With climate change exacerbating drought conditions, Texas farmers are increasingly reliant on heavily subsidized crop insurance, as costs continue to surge.
Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News and Alejandra Martinez reports for the Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Texas has seen crop insurance payouts for drought soar from $251 million per year in the 2000s to over $1 billion annually in the 2020s.
- Drought now accounts for more crop insurance claims than any other weather event in Texas.
- The federal crop insurance program, crucial for farmers, is facing mounting financial pressure due to increasing extreme weather events.
Key quote:
“Drought and heat are expected to get worse in Texas. Climate change is going to increase costs for both taxpayers and farmers.”
— Anne Schechinger, Environmental Working Group
Why this matters:
Escalating drought conditions threaten the viability of Texas agriculture, driving up costs for both farmers and taxpayers. Subsidized by the federal government, these insurance programs are designed to mitigate the financial risks associated with crop failure due to adverse weather conditions. For Texas farmers, crop insurance is no longer a precaution but a necessity. The safety net it provides has become increasingly essential as extreme weather patterns become more common.
Related EHN coverage:
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Polish farmer protest movement reveals far-right connections
A new Polish farmers' group with far-right ties has gained political attention after protesting against EU climate policies and Ukrainian food imports.
Marta Kasztelan, Clare Carlile, and Phoebe Cooke report for DeSmog.
In short:
- Orka, a recently formed farmers' group, suspended a hunger strike after securing talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
- The group has ties to the far-right Confederation Party, raising concerns about its political motivations.
- Protests have emerged across Poland against EU environmental regulations, with Orka aiming to discard the EU's Green Deal.
Key quote:
“It’s very difficult to fight this kind of misinformation.”
— Krzysztof Cibor, head of campaigns, Greenpeace Poland
Why this matters:
The rise of Orka reflects how populist and far-right parties can leverage local discontent to challenge EU policies, potentially destabilizing political landscapes and undermining efforts to combat climate change.
For more aboutthe rise of the far-right in Europe:
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Green policies and the rise of the far right in Europe
A new study reveals a growing backlash in Europe against green policies, which is driving voters toward far-right political parties.
In short:
- Rising energy costs linked to green initiatives have increased support for far-right parties in Europe, such as the Netherlands and Germany.
- Restrictions on gas-powered vehicles and mandatory heat pump installations have sparked widespread protests and political shifts.
- These changes are perceived as unfairly burdening individuals rather than spreading costs across society and corporations.
Key quote:
"This has really expanded the coalition of the far right."
— Erik Voeten, professor of geopolitics at Georgetown University
Why this matters:
When people feel that changes are imposed on them without adequate consultation or consideration of their immediate concerns, there's a risk they will reject not just the specific policies but also the parties that promote them.
Far-right parties have capitalized on this discontent by framing green policies as elitist and disconnected from the common man's immediate economic concerns, promising to roll them back in favor of short-term economic relief.
Does the U.S. have its own far-right problem? Peter Dykstra argued last year that the Supreme Court has taken a brazen anti-regulatory turn. It’s our planet and health that will suffer.
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EU scientists urge inclusion of farmers in new nature law
Scientists emphasize the necessity of including farmers in the EU's proposed nature restoration law to ensure its success, following extensive protests that have threatened the initiative.
In short:
- Leading global biodiversity researchers advocate for empowering farmers to enhance agricultural sustainability, stressing the importance of their role in combating climate and biodiversity crises.
- The EU nature restoration law, under threat after farmer protests and lacking support from some member states, aims to reverse the decline in biodiversity across the EU.
- The open letter underscores the crucial balance between agricultural productivity and nature conservation, calling for policies that support both.
Why this matters:
The emerging narrative is not solely about economics and environmentalism—it's about a symbiosis that can nurture both the land and those who live off it. In crafting this law, the EU stands at a crossroads where science meets tradition, where the knowledge of generations of farmers could help forge a sustainable future. Emphasizing the inclusion of farmers ensures that the law is not just an edict passed down from on high, but a collective endeavor that recognizes the stewards of the land as indispensable allies.
In 2019, EHN writer Kevin Walker explored how our relationship to food banishes nature and the environment to the periphery of how we live, instead of at the center.
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Mexican farmers protest against water-intensive avocado farming
As a severe drought persists, local farmers in Michoacán, Mexico, are clashing with avocado orchards over the drastic depletion of their water sources.
In short:
- Farmers are dismantling illegal water systems in avocado orchards to combat local water shortages in Villa Madero, a small hamlet in Michoacán, México.
- Last year, México received half the amount of rainfall it usually gets, making water a sought-after resource.
- The conflict is heightened by the involvement of drug cartels in the avocado trade, posing significant dangers to activists.
- Authorities are slowly responding as community members take drastic measures to reclaim water resources.
Key quote:
"In the last 10 years, the streams, the springs, the rivers have been drying up and the water has been captured, mainly to be used for avocados and berries. There are hamlets in the lower part of the township that no longer have water."
— Julio Santoyo, local activist.
Why this matters:
The situation in Michoacán illustrates a critical intersection of environmental degradation, local livelihoods, and corporate and criminal interests.
Extreme weather and temperature swings are estimated to cut major crop production by 23% over the next 30 years, scientists warn.
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