Farms and Forestry

By Warren Joseph

Of all environmental hazards, irresponsible agriculture and forestry are among the most detrimental. Think of rainforests; slash and burn, combined with other unsustainable farming practices, have caused serious damage to jungles and wreaked havoc on the atmosphere. Our ancestors farmed responsibly in Africa, Asia, Europe – everywhere. Our forefathers practiced responsible forestry, too, or they would have wound up with a desert or grassland. However, irresponsible industry isn’t the only threat our lands face. Drought, floods, wildfires, and countless other dangers threaten our earth.

Here we have a brand-new magazine, The Environmental Record, with a column that’s fresh off the press, Farms and Forestry, where we dig in to get agriculture and forestry on the record.

In the United States, President Trump is well into the first summer of his second term, and, as he cannot run for re-election, his goals are unique. He’s building his legacy with legislation that will define him in our history books. Americans are divided on environmental matters, as with many facets of life. The president’s maneuvers in the farming and forestry sectors could have drastic effects in the years to come. To some, these are long overdue; others, though, fear that this administration’s environmental shift could devastate the natural world.

At The Environmental Record, our job is to report the facts as best we can, leaving judgment to you. And so, with every effort to set aside personal opinions, here we go:

Over the summer in agriculture and forestry, Europe was divided. Areas in the continent’s south and east suffered through heat waves, drought, and unprecedented wildfires. Conversely, northwest Europe experienced mostly favorable conditions, and this year’s yield is expected to be fair for most crops. EU politics were a mixed bag; while new protections were proposed for farm and forestry, negotiations have stalled, and the future of many current policies is in jeopardy.

Africa was another story of contrasts. While dealing with an ever-increasing food insecurity crisis, some agricultural regions experienced drought, floods, and wildfires, resulting in severe crop loss, while others had plenty of rain and are expected to have a good harvest. The situation in Asia was much the same, with typhoons adding to the difficulties.

A July 18 news release from Natural Resources Canada announced the establishment of the new Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada (WRCC). The $11.7 million investment will go toward protecting Canada’s assets and people and supporting others affected by wildfires, all while respecting traditional indigenous fire stewardship knowledge. WRCC will join Canadian and international experts to share and collaborate on wildland firefighting information and technology.

The United States had a good season for agriculture, and many crops are expected to be plentiful. While undergoing a major reorganization over the summer, the USDA announced $16 billion in crop loss assistance and enhanced crop insurance benefits. The US Forestry Service has also been busy, with Montana’s Shared Stewardship Agreement in June, July’s Wood Innovation Grants, and August’s advancement of the rescission of 2021’s Roadless Rule while also tackling the Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production order.

As we head into the harvest season, we look forward to several farm and forestry events. Agriculture will see the World Food Forum in Rome, Italy, from October 10–17, 2025; the Global Summit on Agriculture & Organic Farming in Paris from October 23–24; and Agritechnica and EuroTier in Hanover, Germany, in mid- November. In forestry, we have the International Union of Forest Research Organizations Conference in Beijing, China, from October 9-11; the United Nations Forum on Forests in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 20–22; and the UN’s Mainstreaming Forest Biodiversity in Panama City, Panama, on October 22.

There is so much to look forward to in the world of farming and forestry. Stay tuned to see what’s coming.

Farms and Forestry

Warren Joseph