EnvironmentMay 1, 2016
Rebuilding Africa's Soil, 1 Farm at a Time
By growing trees, shrubs and other perennial plants among crops in the field, African farmers can revitalize some badly depleted soils while raising food yields
Stories by John P. Reganold
John P. Reganold is a professor of soil science and agroecology at Washington State University. He serves on Scientific American's board of advisers.
EnvironmentJuly 1, 2008
No-Till: How Farmers Are Saving the Soil by Parking Their Plows
The age-old practice of turning the soil before planting a new crop is a leading cause of farmland degradation. Many farmers are thus looking to make plowing a thing of the past
EnvironmentAugust 1, 2007
Future Farming: A Return to Roots?
Large-scale agriculture would become more sustainable if major crop plants lived for years and built deep root systems
EnvironmentJune 1, 1990
Sustainable Agriculture
Traditional conservation-minded methods combined with modern technology can reduce farmers' dependence on possibly dangerous chemicals. The rewards are both environmental and financial