9990D802D5BCAF9B872583150052D520 Hearing Summary

Jennifer Benson, National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC), introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Benson provided a background on NYFC and discussed soil health in the agricultural sector.  NYFC is an organization of young farmers that seeks to increase the representation of young farmers in agriculture.

Yosef Camire, Ahavah Farm, introduced himself to the committee.  Mr. Camire discussed the use of water in the agricultural sector and the depletion of groundwater aquifers in the state.  He also discussed practices that can potentially improve soil health, such as no-till farming, increasing organic matter in the soil, cover cropping, composting, and rotational grazing.  Mr. Camire discussed how his farm has implemented these practices and how these practices have benefitted his farm and crop yield.

Ms. Benson discussed ways in which other farmers in NYFC have implemented practices to improve soil health and suggested legislative approaches to help to improve soil health, including introducing soil health legislation, providing education for farmers, and providing technical assistance for farmers seeking to improve soil health.

Mr. Camire and Ms. Benson responded to questions from the committee.