Modern agriculture’s focus on efficiency and uniformity has reduced on-farm biodiversity, and research shows that strategically enhancing biodiversity can strengthen ecosystem health, farm productivity, and climate resilience. This chapter details the ongoing and needed efforts to increase biodiversity on farms, including an increase in research, technical assistance, and collaboration on biodiversity efforts and programs.
Strategy 8.1 Build understanding of resources available to limit and/or reduce negative impacts to on-farm biodiversity.
- 8.1.1 Create multi-faceted resources that can help address food safety concerns while limitingand limit negative impacts to biodiversity.
- 8.1.2 Increase knowledge of best practices to manage pests while minimizing damage to biodiversity.
Strategy 8.2 Increase beneficial biodiversity on farms.
- 8.2.1 Utilize programs to effectively build and protect beneficial biodiversity on farms.
- 8.2.2 Convene committees and coalitions to identify pathways to build biodiversity on farms.
- 8.2.3 Understand the need for seed supply to support biodiversity efforts across the state.
- 8.2.4 Design guiding principles to support biodiversity and agriculture.
- 8.2.5 Support research that addresses uncertainties around biodiversity, agriculture, and climate.
- 8.2.6 Implement policies that support incorporating biodiversity to improve climate resiliency on-farm.