Why Family Farms May Be Better For The Environment

Family farms are the backbone of the agriculture industry and supply over half of the world’s food. They can be found all over the world and go anywhere from tiny to huge operations. They are essential for a sustainable future because of the way they operate. Firstly, the family has full control over their farms, meaning they can choose to take care of their crops or animals in whichever way they would like. This has encouraged farmers to try different methods of pest control, for example, and implement more soil-health practices, which can make the operation more productive and sustainable. Due to financial, emotional, and ancestral reasons, family farmers are extremely connected and dedicated to their land and their resources. This means they will use every piece of land and not let any resource go to waste, meaning a more sustainable practice. This, along with the freedom to try more sustainable ways of running farms, reduces greenhouse gas emissions from family farms. These farms are also incredibly important for the sustainability of the communities they are in, as they help provide economic stability and job opportunities. The downside to these farms is that they’re often not as profitable as they should be, meaning sometimes they do not survive generation changes. They can also be less efficient than larger operations, which makes their products more expensive. For the future sustainability of our planet, we need to nurture out family farms and help them thrive.