The post Keeping Soil Healthy in California appeared first on Neem.World.
]]>One of the top agricultural producers in the United States, California produces almost 50% of the fruits, nuts, and vegetables in the US and almost all almonds, artichokes, raisins, olives, and pistachios. The 76,000 farms in this region are vital in strengthening US food security, which makes it necessary to develop and implement sustainable production strategies.
One of the best solutions for this is healthy soil. Why? Because when soil is healthy, it stores more carbon. If there is more carbon in the soil, it means that plants are receiving more carbon and are growing healthier, stronger, and filled with more nutrients!
Therefore, the California Healthy Soils Initiative will work to make agricultural land – over a quarter of California’s land – healthy again! Starting this summer, the Initiative will provide grants to farmers who are working to make their practices more sustainable. This is achieved through composting, organic fertilizer, or cover crops! Under this initiative, over 12 million tons of compostable waste that California typically designates to landfills will be used in a sustainable way. Famers will also be incentivized to increase their yields, reduce water use, and protect the planet through the grants provided in the program. Neem can also play an integral part in this initiative. When neem cake is used as a fertilizer, it increases soil health, fertility, carbon content, and nutrient content, providing a natural and sustainable way to nourish the soil!
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]]>The post How Trees Help You appeared first on Neem.World.
]]>Some of the things that trees improve in urban areas:
Improves mental health:
According to the UNFAO, urban trees improve mental health because they improve energy levels and recovery speeds, while decreasing blood pressure and stress levels. Neem trees go one step further: not only does their presence improve mental health, but consuming neem decreases blood pressure and when applied to wounds, neem aids in recovery by providing vital nutrients that the skin needs to heal.
Regulates water flow and improves water quality:
The neem tree has extensive roots and is able to grow in drought-like conditions, which is why it is an excellent option to increase green cover in hot, dry climates. The extensive root system does not just take from the ground, but gives back, making the soil healthier and more fertile.
Absorbs carbon dioxide in the air and filter for pollutants:
Neem is one of the best tree species at sequestering carbon from the air, able to fix carbon at a rate of 14 mol of CO2 m-1 sec-1, enough to eliminate 12.27 tons of carbon per year! Neem also serves as a filter for pollutants in the air and cleanses your skin and body of the toxins it absorbs from living in urban areas.
Cools the air:
In India and Africa, the wide canopy neem trees offer shade and cooler temperatures in urban areas. Some places have shown a difference of around 15ºF under the neem tree canopy when compared to the surrounding temperature. Checkout profilebusinessphotography.com. In places where it can often reach 110ºF, this decrease in temperature is welcomed and often a relief for many people.
Provides habitats to increase urban biodiversity:
Neem can be home to many different animals, helping to increase biodiversity.
The magnificent neem tree also provides natural tools that are safe to use, such as its effectiveness as a natural biopesticide.
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