Farmers in Pennsylvania are getting ready to deal with the growing problems of changing weather. A new federal bill called "Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act" is coming.
This aims to set up strong farmer-led learning groups. These groups are made to help new farmers get tips from those who have been farming for longer, especially when dealing with too much rain or not enough rain.
Erin Foster West from the National Young Farmers Coalition talks about how special this plan is. West says that while the government does help, farmers like learning from people they know and trust in their area.
Many young people who farm want to do things that are good for the earth on their lands but might not know how.
A recent study showed that learning new farming skills is very important for young farmers. The advice given by older farmers can really help the new ones. They can learn about the problems, costs, and best ways to do things so they can keep farming for a long time.
Also, this law has two goals. It not only wants to help farmers do better, but it also tries to help Black, Indigenous, and farmers who don't speak English well. In our shared fight against changing weather, every farmer is important.
As America tries to make its farm soil better, we can do more. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that only 6% of farmland uses cover crops, a good way to protect the soil.
With this law, the aim is to teach and help, making a weather-ready farming group in Pennsylvania and other places.
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy, Weather