Flooding Can Actually Be a Good Thing

August 11, 2024 | [Read Online]( Wait, Rice is Being Grown in the Florida Everglades? "A man without a vote is a man without protection.” —Lyndon B. Johnson Good Flooding? Cultivating Rice in the Everglades In the heart of Florida's Everglades Agricultural Area, a sprawling 1,100-square-mile region just south of Lake Okeechobee, a remarkable agricultural practice is taking root. Here, amidst the challenges of soil subsidence that has seen nearly 6 feet of soil vanish over the past century, innovative farmers are turning to rice cultivation during the summer months to combat this environmental dilemma. Historically, rice farming in this area began briefly in the 1950s but was halted due to the outbreak of the hoja blanca virus. However, the resilient spirit of agriculture shone through in 1977 when local farmers reintroduced rice into fallow sugarcane fields, capitalizing on the hot and wet summer conditions unsuitable for vegetable cultivation. Today, the region boasts over 50,000 acres of potential rice-growing land during the late spring and summer, with approximately half of this land being utilized in 2023. The practice not only provides an alternative crop but also serves a crucial environmental function. The flooding required for rice cultivation helps to preserve the organic, nutrient-rich Histosols—soils comprising up to 80% organic matter and unique to the region. Jehangir Bhadha, an Associate professor and soil sustainability expert at the University of Florida, highlights the dual benefits of this practice: "By flooding these fields for prolonged periods, growers suppress both the microbial activity that causes oxidation and the hatching of pest insects." This not only enhances soil health but also benefits subsequent sugarcane crops and contributes to the longevity of the soil. Moreover, the environmental impact extends beyond the fields. The flooded rice paddies attract a variety of wading birds, such as the great white heron, snowy egret, and glossy ibis, turning agricultural land into temporary wildlife habitats. Advertisement [Do you struggle with hearing loss? You don't have to suffer in silence]( Want to experience a world where missed conversations are a thing of the past? With hear.com, you can! They’re delivering you the best new innovation in the hearing care industry – the revolutionary IX. Packed with new features to ensure you never miss another important conversation, the IX also seamlessly integrates into your daily routine. With user-friendly features and the promise of speech clarity, it’s no wonder that people everywhere are excited about it. Don’t just hear - thrive, without skipping a beat! [Start your no-risk trial today]( Video Of The Day [YouTube video by The Political Movement]( Paris' Polluted Past Haunts Olympic Dreams [tw]( [yt]( Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here]( © 2024 The information presented here is for general educational purposes only. MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE: You should assume the sender of this email has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection to the persons or businesses mentioned in or linked to from this message and may receive commissions from purchases you make on subsequent web sites. You should not rely solely on information contained in this email to evaluate the product or service being endorsed. Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service. 4801 Linton Blvd. #11A-636 Delray Beach, FL 33445, United States of America [[beehiiv logo]Powered by beehiiv]( [Terms of Service](