2022 Modern Agriculture

The Climate Conundrum

The challenges climate change poses to agriculture

Growing Up The basics of vertical farming

March 2022 A Special Supplement to the

Roswell Daily Record

Catering to Consumers

How farmers and growers can adapt to meet emerging demands

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Research aimed at increasing carbon capture, soil health

Submitted Photo A New Mexico State University initiative on soil health and carbon capturing would look at the various types of agricultural lands in the state, including grazing lands.

By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily Record

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ome New Mexico State University researchers are working to determine the optimal ways to capture carbon in the soil, thereby helping to reduce the harmful effects of greenhouse emissions and providing economic and financial benefits in the form of healthier soils for crops and grazing lands.

The scientists have received about $700,000 in research funding, as well as funding from industry partners and established soil health research programs. New Mexico Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-Albuquerque) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-Nambe) also have requested $995,000 to support the “Initiative for Carbon Management and Soil Health in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments at NMSU” as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for Fiscal Year 2022. The legislation still needs to be considered by both the full Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Heinrich visited the NMSU Agricultural Science Center in Clovis in July 2021 to see the research being done, which is led by Rajan Ghimire, assistant professor with the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and the lead researcher with the National Center for Carbon Management and Soil Health based at NMSU. Ghimire has been conducting his own research into carbon sequestration and

soil health for more than a decade and said that some special challenges exist in areas that receive little rainfall.

“In a dryland system, it is more challenging because our water is more precious,” he said. “So it takes time to see a reasonable increase in soil carbon, at least like five years.”

His research has examined some ways to increase carbon capture, including using produced water, waterefficient crop varieties and methods that better utilize brackish water. In forest lands, he said, growing more trees and minimizing fires are keys to increasing carbon content of soils.

He explained that carbon sequestration and healthy soils are interlinked, healthier soils can hold more carbon, and, when more sequestered carbon is present in soils, they contain more useful nutrients.

“We started this initiative in 2021,” Ghimire said, explaining that a committee of about 25 to 30 scientists from two NMSU colleges was formed at the request of Dean Ronaldo Flores of the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

He said that the committee has been asked to look at different types landscapes in New Mexico to consider the “potentials of sequestering carbon and then improve soil health in cropland and rangeland systems.”

While the effort is led by NMSU researchers, they also work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture South-

west Climate Hub, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the National Resource Conservation Service and Native American training initiatives.

He said two major goals are to find ways to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases in the environment and to examine how production agriculture can benefit by carbon capturing in soils.

“If we talk about increasing carbon sequestration without supporting our farmers, I don’t think we can achieve that goal,” Ghimire said. “Farmers are the center of the agricultural industry here.”

He said that one of the purposes of the funding will be to develop baseline data about carbon sequestration and its effects on soils throughout the state by collecting soil samples and monitoring for carbon levels and greenhouse emissions.

“I have been working for 10 to 15 years, but most of my research is on eastern — Curry, Roosevelt and Quay — counties,” he said. “But if we look at New Mexico, it is a large state. We have at least five, six subclimates and soils.”

NMSU has 12 Agricultural Science Centers in the state, and Ghimire said the federal funding or any additional funding the initiative receives will be used to create carbon management and soil health research hubs at four of the centers. The Clovis center will be a model site for croplands. The one in Los Lunas will focus on urban agriculture. The Corona site will be a rangeland demonstration site, while the Agriculture Science Center at Mora will be a

forestland demonstration site.

Researchers also will work with farmers and ranchers on their land to find out what is happening with soils and how it affects production and profitability.

A third part of the project is to inform the public and agricultural producers about carbon sequestration methods and the benefits produced, which would begin with a statewide survey to determine current awareness of the topics.

A public online workshop on carbon management and soil health also is planned.

The initiative also has a component to train undergraduate and graduate students in such work as sample collections and data analysis.

He said he has been able to prove on his demonstration plots the production benefits of increasing carbon in soils, but he said that work also needs to occur by farmers and ranchers on their own land.

Research focusing on the link between carbon sequestration and soil health in other parts in the nation is being conducted by scientists at other universities as well as by other USDA research collaboratives.

Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@ rdrnews.com.

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4-H offers variety of ag-based programs for youth

By Juno Ogle Roswell Daily Record

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he youth programs offered through 4-H teach not only skills useful in agricultural life but also help kids develop leadership experience and get a glimpse of agricultural careers.

Children as young as 5 can start in 4-H through the Cloverbuds program, Andrea Stapp, Chaves County 4-H agent and interim county program director for New Mexico State University Extension, said.

Clover buds is for children 5 to 8 years old and the programming centers around non-competitive group projects that teach life skills.

“They participate with the other members when they go to their club meetings so they kind of get the feel for what 4-H is at a smaller level,” Stapp said.

At the age of 9, children can join 4-H where they have access to its 200 different projects, many of which are agriculture-based.

Stapp said people are probably most familiar with livestock projects in which

members raise animals through the summer and then show them at events such as the Chaves County Fair or Eastern New Mexico State Fair.

“They get the responsibility of taking on another being. They have to get up and make sure it has water and feed and take care of it and everything,” she said.

But there are also projects for smaller animals such as dogs, cats and rabbits that even children who don’t live on a farm or ranch can take part in.

“We also have welding and woodworking projects and entomology, horticulture, so they also get those kind of aspects of agriculture as well,” she said.

The family and consumer science aspects of 4-H, such as food and clothing, also offer projects for kids of all backgrounds.

As they progress, members have opportunities to become officers in their clubs and learn parliamentary procedure to run the meetings.

“They can also run as a council officer because we have a county-wide council. They get that leadership experiences of actually running the clubs.

One of our members, she just loves that kids run the meetings,” Stapp said.

Members also get exposure to different career fields related to their projects through speakers. That sometimes exposes the kids to careers they might not have thought existed.

“We’ve had an equine dentist come in and the kids loved it. I think everyone wanted to be an equine dentist after he left,” Stapp said.

An annual senior leadership retreat for older 4-H members also focuses on careers every three years, she said.

While any youth can join 4-H any time of the year, there is a March 31 deadline to enroll in order to be able to compete in fairs and other contests throughout the year, Stapp said. Those who enroll after the deadline can still take part in club meetings, workshops and other events, however.

In 2021, Chaves County had 190 kids enrolled in its eight 4-H clubs, Stapp said. She’s hoping to get 200 this year and start building back to the county’s pre-pandemic number of almost 300.

Clubs meet once a month on different nights so families can choose a club

File Photo Priscila Benavides – Dexter FFA Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Heifer

that works with their schedule, Stapp said.

Adult volunteers are also needed to help with clubs. Volunteers do not have to have prior 4-H experience.

For more information on enrolling or volunteering, contact the Chaves County Extension Service at 575-622-3210 or 200 E. Chisum Street, Suite 4.

Juno Ogle can be reached at 575622-7710, ext. 205, or at reporter04@ rdrnews.com.

ENMU-Roswell brings revised ag courses to students

By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily Record

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astern New Mexico UniversityRoswell has made steps in recent months to update and revise its agricultural program, and part of that effort was to relaunch animal science and plant science dual credit classes at Hagerman High School this spring semester.

“The participation has been really good,” said ENMU-Roswell agricultural science instructor Skyler Pierce. “It has been well received.”

He said about 10 students have enrolled in each class. Dual credit courses allow students to earn both college credits and credits toward their high school diplomas.

Pierce said that Hagerman already

had the agriculture courses established but was seeking an instructor, which is why the ENMU-Roswell partnership formed with that high school first. But, he added, ENMU-Roswell is working with other high schools in Chaves County to offer other ag dual credit courses in the future, bringing students to campus for at least some of the instruction.

Coming up in fall 2022, ENMURoswell will introduce its revised associate of science degree in agricultural sciences, which has been approved by the Community College Board and the ENMU Board of Regents.

Pierce has led the effort to revamp the agricultural degree program, working with an advisory council made up of agricultural industry members from the region.

The revised program will not only make it easier for students to transfer their credits to four-year colleges, including the main ENMU campus in Portales, but also is intended to reflect the current needs of the industry and especially local employers.

“The other piece that we are still working on with the advisory board is creating the pieces that will be included in the ag mech/tech side of it, the ag mechanics and the ag technology part of it,” said Robert Moore, assistant vice president for Arts & Sciences.

“There are some jobs that are going to be created in the next couple of years that haven’t even been a thing before,” Pierce said, “and so I think there is some excitement moving forward to some of the opportunities.”

Both Moore and Pierce said that cer-

tificates are also expected to be offered, not just the full associate degree.

Moore said that the school would like to see 10 to 15 students enrolled in the agricultural sciences program in fall 2022.

“The word is sure spreading,” he said.

“We have had a lot of good input and feedback and excitement generated in the community and school systems.”

Other plans for the program that have been reviewed by board members are to build a greenhouse, which also could be used for other arts and science courses, and to start recruiting students for a traveling competitive judging team by fall 2023.

Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@ rdrnews.com.

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March 2022 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

The challenges climate change poses to agriculture

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limate change poses an array of challenges. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that the impacts of climate change on various sectors of society are interrelated, a connection that mirrors the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The human health crisis that arose during the pandemic affected all aspects of life, as illnesses limited worker productivity, thus affecting the global supply chain, including the availability of food.

Scientists warn that a similar scenario could play out as a result of climate change. The agricultural sector could face considerable challenges in the years to come. The Fourth National Climate Assessment is a government-

mandated report that must be delivered to the United States Congress once every four years. Among the many aims of the report are to provide an analysis of the effects of global changes on the natural environment and agriculture. The report also must project major trends for the next 25 to 100 years. The most recent report, delivered in 2018, noted that changing precipitation patterns could intensify in the coming years, leading to more intense periods of heavy rain and longer dry periods.

Those shifting patterns and other changes could lead to an increase in conditions and weather events that pose unique challenges to the agricultural sector.

Flooding: The Union of Concerned Scientists notes that many agricul-

tural regions of the United States have already experienced increased flooding.

The effects of flooding on the agricultural sector are often devastating and include accelerated soil erosion, water pollution and damage to infrastructure that challenges farmers’ ability to get food from their farms to stores and, ultimately, consumers’ dinner tables.

Drought: The National Integrated Drought Information System reports that the primary direct economic impact of drought in the agricultural sector is crop failure and pasture losses. The Government of Canada notes that areas of western Canada are already experiencing frequent and severe droughts, and scientists expect other areas of the country to be affected by drought more often in the

years to come. The same goes for the United States, which the UCS notes has already dealt with severe drought in California, the Great Plains and the midwest. Depleted water supplies are a byproduct of drought, and such depletion can take a toll on crops and livestock.

Economics: The effects of climate change on crops and livestock may force farmers to change the nature of their farms. The UCS notes that farmers may be forced to choose crop varieties and animal breeds that are suited to the new conditions sparked by climate change. Going in a new direction could force farmers to make potentially costly investments in machinery and other changes as they make the transition.

Climate change will pose unique challenges to the agricultural sector that could force farmers to make some difficult decisions in the years ahead.

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How to incorporate tech into a farming business

Explaining precision agriculture

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ew, if any, aspects of life in the 21st century have not been touched by technology. Advancements in technology have affected everything from the way students learn in the classroom to how senior citizens connect with their grandchildren.

Technological advancements also have left their mark on industry, including the agricultural sector.

Modern agriculture bears some similarities to farming of past eras. Technology has affected the agricultural sector for centuries, and modern farmers know that’s no different today. One of the more recent developments in the agricultural sector is the rise of precision agriculture, a farming management concept that can pay dividends for generations to come.

What is precision agriculture?

Precision agriculture (PA) is rooted in improving crop yields through the utilization of technology. PA is designed to help the agricultural sector maximize resources and improve yields and the quality of crops. That’s a critically important function as the world population continues to grow and the demand for food increases as a result.

What are some examples of PA technology?

Sensors are a prime example of PA technology that helps make farms more efficient and productive. Sen-

T sors serve various functions by helping farmers gather data on the availability of water in soil, the level of compaction in soil, leaf temperature, insect and disease infestation, and other areas.

Weather modeling is another component of PA that can help farms be more cost-effective and efficient. Whereas in years past many farms would need to manually assess certain variables to determine when to harvest, weather modeling technology has enabled some farmers to generate remote readings, saving time and money.

How does PA help farmers?

Each situation is unique, but the principles of PA can help farmers acess a wealth of information. It might have been possible to access such information in the past, but PA has sped up the process and made it more hands-off, allowing farmers to save both time and money. PA technology can help farmers maintain accurate records of their farms; inform their decisions; make it easier to detect and identify problems, sometimes before they escalate into larger issues; and avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Technology has left no industry untouched. The growth of precision agriculture is a testament to the influence that technology is having on a vital sector of the global economy.

he agricultural industry long has been a vital part of society, providing foods for billions of people across the globe. Farming can be a challenging profession, and farmers routinely find creative solutions to overcome obstacles to effective production. Thanks to technology, finding solutions has become that much easier.

Yet not every farmer who is set in his or her ways is ready to welcome changes that incorporate technology right away. In fact, reluctance to turn over operations in some part to artificial intelligence or smart technologies could be due in part to farming being such a nuanced skill and the role intuition plays in the growth of crops. The following are some ways for seasoned and novice farmers to seamlessly incorporate technology into their operations.

Start with peripheral tech

Farmers can begin implementing technology that does not directly relate to farming operations. Examples include switching to efficient and intuitive accounting and payroll systems to save time. If a farm also includes a retail enterprise, such as a farmers market, upgrading point-of-sale technology, like credit card readers or e-commerce websites for new revenue potential, can be good a good starting point.

Assess operation weaknesses

Figure out where the business is lacking and could use some help. Perhaps you’re having difficulty maintaining adequate irrigation or plant nutrition is compromised due to soil deficits? Precision automation farming advancements that employ remote sensors can assess conditions and fine tune adjustments to alleviate these issues.

Get training

Novel technologies can increase crop yield and make for more efficient use of limited resources. However, people who may never have employed drones, IoT devices or soil sensors can expect a learning curve. Visiting a nearby farm operation to learn how they have implemented technology and gaining hands-on experience can be invaluable. In addition, request that a tech vendor provide thorough instruction on products to make it easier to seamlessly integrate new technology into an agriculture business.

Tap into workforce talent

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says agriculture and food production accounts for 28 percent of the entire global workforce. There are more than 570 million smallholder farms worldwide. Technology can be utilized by agricultural businesses to zero in on intelligent and qualified employees who can take operations to the next level. Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed and ZipRecruiter remain helpful tools when looking for qualified job candidates. The internet is an essential employment resource, and farms can utilize it to acquire new hires.

Agricultural businesses can explore various ways to gradually and seamlessly make technology part of their operations.

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How farmers and growers can adapt to meet emerging demands

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he world is ever-changing, and those changes include consumer preferences. Identifying what consumers want is a challenge for any business, and farmers and growers are no exception. Food trends come and go, but identifying key segments of the population and catering to their needs and interests can help farmers and growers meet consumer demand and increase profits.

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers may no longer be the largest living adult generation, a distinction that the U.S. Census Bureau reports now belongs to Millennials. However, there are still more than 71 million Baby Boomers in the United States, and Statistics Canada reports that this influential demographic, which includes individuals born between 1946 and 1965, makes up nearly 30 percent of the Canadian population.

Such figures underscore how lucrative it can be for farmers and growers to cater to the Baby Boomer demographic. Many Baby Boomers have reached an age where

their doctors have recommended certain foods to reduce their risk for problems associated with aging, such as heart disease. The Mayo Clinic reports that whole grains are great sources of fiber that can help regulate blood pressure and heart health. Many seniors are urged to eat more fruits and vegetables as they grow older, ideally increasing their intake of these nutrient-rich foods while simultaneously cutting back on high-calorie foods like meat and cheese.

Generation X

Generation X is the generation between Baby Boomers and Millennials. Gen Xers include individuals born between 1966 and 1980, though some metrics suggest Generation X extends into the early 1980s.

Older Gen Xers are nearing retirement age, and that means they likely have more disposable income than Baby Boomers, many of whom are now retired, and Millennials, who are just beginning their careers or still raising families. A report on consumer trends from the consultant firm Technomic Inc. found that Gen Xers are willing to pay extra for fresh foods

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March 2022 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD and prefer foods that benefit their overall health by promoting better sleep and providing more energy. Such foods may include blueberries, kale, quinoa, and watermelon.

important, especially for small farmers and growers trying to increase profits and serve the needs of an evolving consumer base.

Millennials

The size of this generation can make it hard to define its needs and wants, as it includes a diverse array of people born between 1981 and 1996. However, Millennials can be an especially valuable market for small farmers and growers, as research indicates individuals in this demographic prefer small and midsized manufacturers over larger producers. Research from Wells Fargo found that, as millennials matured and gained more buying power between the years of 2012 and 2017, small and mid-sized manufacturers accounted for 46 percent of overall industry grains.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that millennial households buy more unprocessed foods, including fruits and vegetables, than the generations that came before them.

Recognition of consumer demands is

Abundant Thanks to Our Local Farmers Today we recognize the incredible contributions our nation’s farmers make to our lives and economy. From food to fiber, the efforts of today’s agricultural industry are essential to the products we count on to feed, clothe and protect ourselves and our families each and every day.

Thanks to all those whose hard work, dedication and innovation in the field enrich our lives and keep our country growing!

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armers and growers face a significant threat in the years to come as industrial agriculture operations continue to expand. According to the National Resources Defense Council, industrial agriculture is the large-scale, intensive production of crops and animals.

Such operations make it more difficult for small farmers and growers to turn a profit, and they often involve the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The use of such products poses an additional threat to small farmers and growers, as the Union of Concerned Scientists notes that the heavy application of fertilizers and pesticides accelerates soil erosion and increases pest problems. Consumers concerned by the effects of industrial agriculture on the environment and on small farmers’ and growers’ ability to earn a good living can support efforts such as regenerative farming and organic farms.

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Understanding smart farm automation

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odern agriculture looks little like the early days of farming.

All aspects of farming have been modified by the access farmers now have to technologies to meet the demands of their work and the pressure a growing population places on farmers to produce quality food.

Farm automation, precision farming and smart farming are strategies utilized by today’s farmers. These technologies have become important ways for farmers to optimize the production of food and improve its quality. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, agricultural production must increase by 70 percent in order to meet global food demand by 2050, by which time the population could be 9.7 billion persons.

Smart farming can make raising livestock more accurate and controlled.

While farm automation is a broad term, precision smart farming zeroes in on exact measurements between variations in land conditions and livestock, according to Techie Loops, a technology information website.

Examples of farming automation technology include: • autonomous vehicles and machines • drones

• robotics • GPS guidance • micro and weather forecasting • soil sampling • yield mapping • use of artificial intelligence • geomatics • statistical processes, and more.

Farmers can employ these technologies to save time and also manage labor shortages. Robot-assisted irrigation systems, for example, can maximize efficiency of water distribution where it is needed the most.

Weeding robots can use artificial intelligence and computer vision to target field areas and reduce use of pesticides. Driverless tractors can make labor cheaper for farmers by plotting the machine’s route and letting it run the course automatically. Harvest robots also exist to grab crops gently (some with vacuum technology) and reduce reliance on field workers.

Some harvesters can determine ripeness of fruit via AI technology, according to Eastern Peak, a provider of custom hardware and software solutions for businesses.

Technology is changing farming in many ways. Innovations in automation can make operations more efficient and less costly.

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Advancements in livestock technology

the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of modern farm operations.

Farmers can utilize Jaguza to perform a host of functions, including monitoring their animals’ health and identifying their livestock.

The Netherlands-based H2Oalert is a water control management system that checks the quality and quantity of cattle drinking water in real time.

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onsumer demand drives changes in industry, and the agricultural sector is no exception.

Consumer demands for improved animal welfare have led to changes in the livestock sector, and various technologies have been developed and are in development to help this particular segment of the agricultural industry thrive.

According to the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit, various startups have developed technologies that can make the livestock industry more sustainable and efficient.

Treatment

The Israeli firm Armenta has developed a non-antibiotic treatment for bovine mastitis that utilizes acoustic pulse technology. The treatment has a 70 percent cure rate.

Another firm working to treat livestock is the United States-based General Probiotics. Animal AgTech reports that General Probiotics develops cell-

bots and antimicrobial probiotics that eliminate harmful pathogens in livestock. That can reduce dependency on antibiotics and make food production safer.

Welfare

Faromatics, a firm based in Spain, has combined robotics, artificial intelligence and big data to improve animal welfare and farm productivity. One Faromatics product utilizes a robot suspended from a ceiling to monitor certain variables, including equipment function and health and welfare, that affect broiler chickens.

The American firm Swinetech utilizes voice recognition and computer vision technology in its SmartGuard product to prevent piglet deaths from crushing and starvation. The product also makes it possible to track and facilitate obstetrical assistance.

Operations

Based in Uganda, Jaguza Tech has developed a livestock management system that utilizes sensors, data science and machine learning to improve

The management system also checks for pollution and malfunctions in the water supply.

Livestock technology continues to advance, and firms across the globe are developing new products and platforms to help livestock farmers make their operations more efficient, sustainable and productive.

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The basics of vertical farming

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arms often inspire awe thanks to their beauty and the serenity of the areas that surround them. Though no farms may inspire such feelings as strongly as those in the heart of the countryside, another type of farm can induce a sense of awe as well.

Vertical farms vary in size, but the largest ones mimic the appearance of skyscrapers if the skyscrapers were made from plants. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, increasing production of fresh greens and vegetables near urban populations will be a necessity in the decades to come. That’s because estimates from the United Nations indicate the global population will exceed nine billion

persons by 2050, by which time twothirds of the world’s people will live in urban settings. Vertical farming could be vital to meeting the demands for healthy foods by 2050, making it worth anyone’s while to gain a basic understanding of this unique way to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.

What is vertical farming?

Vertical farming is a type of controlled environment agriculture (CEA).

According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, CEA combines engineering, plant science and computer-managed greenhouse control technologies to optimize plant growing systems. CEA systems enable stable control of the plant environment, making it possible for growers to control temperature, light and

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CO2 during the growing process.

Vertical farms grow foods in stacked layers, which gives large vertical farms their skyscraper-like appearance.

Some vertical farms employ techniques similar to greenhouses, utilizing natural light when it’s available and augmenting that with artificial lighting to ensure the plants grow regardless of the conditions outside.

What are some advantages to vertical farming?

Perhaps the biggest advantage to vertical farming is the potential for the practice to meet future food demands in a way that the USDA deems environmentally responsible and sustainable. Vertical farming operations in urban areas can offer lower emissions because fresh

fruits and vegetables will not need to be transported from rural areas to urban locales.

The USDA also notes that vertical farming operations reduce water runoff by a considerable margin, helping to conserve water. The Vertical Harvest farm in Jackson, Wyoming, produces 100,000 pounds of vegetables per year and uses a fraction of the water of traditional farms with similar outputs. Utilizing hydroponics and moving carousels, Vertical Harvest consumes 90 percent less water than traditional farms.

Access to nutrient-rich foods is another benefit to vertical farms. As urban populations grow and climate change affects crop yields, city dwellers may struggle to procure healthy, nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. Vertical farming operations that are not vulnerable to climate change can eliminate that concern, ensuring urban populations access to healthy, nutritious foods.

Vertical farms can be awe-inspiring and figure to play a vital role in the future of agriculture.

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Greenhouses effectively extend growing seasons

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odern, large-scale agriculture operations utilize various machines and technologies to provide products to consumers. Green-

houses are among the resources used to help plants thrive.

Greenhouses are not a new phenomenon, even if today’s incarnations have technological upgrades over their ancestors. The first attempts to grow plants in greenhouse-like structures likely date back to ancient Egypt, but there are writings from the Romans as early as 14 BCE explaining greenhouse operations. The Roman emperor Tiberius wanted to eat cucumbers all year long. Roman winters would not allow for cucumbers to thrive when temperatures dropped below freezing. Rolling cucumber growing carts into sheds only did so much. Someone came up with the concept of making sheds with sheets of elenite, a transparent rock, to let the sun in and help keep cucumbers growing indoors warm. The idea took off from there.

Greenhouses are comprised of walls and roofing materials primarily made of a transparent material. The interior of a greenhouse exposed to sunlight becomes significantly warmer than the

external temperature, helping to protect plants inside from extreme conditions and enabling plants to thrive even when weather conditions are not optimal. Through the years, greenhouses also may have incorporated some form of additional heating.

Keeping plants thriving for commercial production now gets additional help from computers, as relying on sunlight alone may result in fluctuations in optimal conditions. Modern, smart greenhouses, according to the cultivation technology company Growlink, employ smart technology for heating, cooling and lighting. This tech is connected to a computer to optimize plant growth conditions. Computers can adjust conditions accordingly for the particular plant being produced, such as for tropical fruits that require more moisture and heat.

Anyone who desires a greenhouse for personal plant growth can build one in his or her backyard with various plans available for free or purchase. Companies also sell prefabricated greenhouse

kits that can be erected with relative ease.

Handy homeowners also can construct basic greenhouses with materials found at many home improvement retailers. A wood frame greenhouse can be built in any size and covered with plastic sheeting. One can purchase a prefabricated greenhouse door or simply use a sheet of weighted plastic that can be tied out of the way for the door.

To allow for ventilation in hot weather, a wood-frame vent that can be propped open can be incorporated into the roof rafter design.

Those who want a more permanent structure may want to look into using greenhouse plastic paneling in lieu of plastic sheeting. Either way, home greenhouses can be as elaborate or as simple as individuals desire.

Greenhouses are effective ways to extend growing seasons for both commercial and home gardeners.

Proud to Serve & Salute Our Local Farmers & Ranchers Over the years, our business in this community has given us a healthy appreciation for just how hard our local farmers and ranchers work to nourish our families and our nation’s economy. On National Agriculture Day, we salute the dedicated men and women of agriculture for all that they bring to the table.

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Modern Agriculture

March 2022 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

Career paths in agriculture Metro Creative Services

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s the world population grows, the role of the agricultural sector will become even more prominent. There should be significant demand for agricultural professionals capable of meeting the challenges facing the world as it confronts climate change and food shortages. That makes now a perfect time for students to explore potential career paths in the agricultural sector.

Agricultural engineer: Agricultural engineers employ engineering principles to solve issues related to agricultural production. An agricultural engineer

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may design facilities or machinery or develop solutions to address problems related to irrigation and soil conservation, among other projects. Students interested in a career as an agricultural engineer can expect to study mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer engineering, and, of course, engineering analysis and design as they pursue their degrees.

Agronomist: Agronomists work with crops and soil management and may work as analysts, environmentalists or forecasters. Agronomists may be tasked with analyzing soil structure and chemistry and study how water is moving within soil. Students will study agricul-

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ture, biology, chemistry, and physics en route to earning a degree that will help them become an agronomist. Mathematics also will be part of their studies, and statistics courses will be part of those studies.

Biochemist: Biochemists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and biological processes. Within the agricultural sector, biochemists will contribute to the development of agricultural products, including those that will serve a medicinal function. Biochemistry, chemistry, biology, calculus, and physics will be part of students’ courseload as they pursue degrees that prepare them for a career as a biochemist.

Climatologist: Climatologists will figure prominently in the agricultural sector as the effects of climate change manifest themselves more readily over the next several decades. Climatologists study climate change, variability and the biosphere. Climatologists offer insight about the effects of climate change on the growth and development of agricultural products, including fruits, grains and vegetables. The

natural sciences feature prominently in climatologists’ educations, and students also will study meteorology as part of their coursework.

Food scientist: Food scientists study chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering so they can assist in the development of new food products.

Food scientists may manage processing plants and some serve as researchers in an effort to solve problems related to food production.

Plant pathologist: Plant pathologists specialize in analyzing issues related to plant diseases. Research features prominently in plant pathologists’ work, and many work in university settings. Some plant pathologists work for companies attempting to develop pest-resistant plants. Advanced degrees are necessary to work as a plant pathologist, and students will study mycology, bacteriology, virology, and physiology, among other subjects, as they pursue their degrees.

The agricultural sector employs millions of people across the globe. Many of those people do interesting work as they attempt to address issues facing the agricultural sector.

Modern Agriculture 15

March 2022 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD

How to involve more young people in agriculture

Metro Creative Services

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he agricultural industry will undergo exciting changes as it looks to overcome developing challenges in the decades ahead. Technology will continue to play a pivotal role in the agricultural sector, making agriculture an evolving and exciting career path for young professionals.

Much has been made of projections that suggest the world population is increasingly looking to urban areas to call home. Though data from the United Nations indicates urban areas could grow by 2.5 billion people by 2050, more recent UN data indicates that 90 percent of that increase will take place in Asia and Africa.

All told, estimates indicate

that rural areas will remain home to 3.1 billion people by 2050.

A sizable rural population and the challenges climate change and population growth will present underscores how important the agricultural sector will be in the coming decades. That means there should be plenty of opportunities for young people to make an impact, especially if more efforts are made to encourage them to consider careers in agriculture.

Encourage agriculturebased curriculum. After recognizing that the majority of Kenyan students had no access to farming training and education, the organization Farm Africa initiated a program to make agriculture more accessible to students.

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Students who participated learned about everything from keeping livestock to marketing produce for global markets. Similar programs can be encouraged in developed countries where opportunities in the field of agriculture figure to increase in the years to come.

Emphasize technological advancements in the field. Modern young people are growing up with technology all around them, but few may be aware of the vital role technology plays in the agricultural sector. Young people’s ears may perk up upon hearing terms like “robotics” technologies are now a big part of life on the farm. Recognition of that may compel more young people to pursue careers in agriculture.

Highlight the challenges ahead and how agricultural professionals can help overcome them. UN projections indicate the global population will grow by more than two billion people by 2050. Finding a way to feed all of those people in the face of climate change will be no small task, but it’s a task that will require dedicated agricultural professionals. Educators and parents can emphasize these challenges when speaking to young people about a career in the agricultural sector, noting that such careers will present real opportunities to make a difference.

Young people looking for rewarding careers in an exciting, ever-evolving field can be encouraged to consider the agricultural sector.

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Modern Agriculture

March 2022 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD