Mike Olmeda

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

@StacyStevens86 Is this because of the plant or the process of growing the plant?

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

The documentary “Kiss the ground” on Netflix is a great movie to watch and it talks a lot about these issues. Their website https://t.co/V77wH7XY8I also has some great information. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

In conclusion, I would like to say thank you to everyone for attending my live chat. I hope I gave you more understanding on how something as small as soil is so important to our planet and existence.

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

@OmarTor34839122 A5: According to the 2017 US Census of Agriculture, No till was used on 37% of US acres for which a tillage system was reported, up from 35% in the 2012 Census of Agriculture. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Q5: What percentage of US acres used the no-till method? #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Did you know: The Earth loses roughly 23 billion tons of fertile soil every year. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

@OmarTor34839122 Watch the documentary on Netflix titled "Kiss the ground", it will go more into detail about how soil helps with global warming. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Did you know: Having good soil can help stop climate change. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Improved soil structure and soil cover increase the soil’s ability to absorb and infiltrate water, which in turn reduces soil erosion and runoff and prevents pollution from entering nearby water sources. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Q4: What are the benefits of no-till farming? #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

A4: The benefits of no-till farming far outnumber those of tillage-based systems. No-till practices allow the soil structure to stay intact and also protect the soil by leaving crop residue on the soil surface.

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

@OmarTor34839122 Methods that can be used include cover crops, crop rotation, free-range livestock and tractor implements such as the roller crimper, which farmers can use to lay down a weed-suppressing mat that can be planted through in one pass. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Did you know: No till farming is not new. It was used 10,000 years ago. But as plow designs and production methods improved during the 18th and early 19th centuries, tilling became increasingly popular.

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

A3: No till farming is the practice of planting crops without tilling the soil. Also known as “no till planting” and “zero tillage,” no till farming first became popular in the United States after World War II. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Q3: What is no-till farming? #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

@OmarTor34839122 I totally agree @OmarTor34839122
#TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Q1: What is soil degradation and why is it important? #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Farmers adopted the method because it allowed them to plant more seeds while expending less effort. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Microbial activity is halted, soil pores are closed, and water is unable to effectively penetrate the soil. High levels of erosion result in the loss of topsoil, leaving the land practically infertile. #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

Q2: What is tilling? How does over tilling affect soil quality? #TillcanKill

[Mike Olmeda @MikeOlmeda88]

When aggressive tillage is performed over many seasons, it can result in a complete breakdown of soil structure.