Agriculture comprises almost 60% of the continental U.S., and 40% of the Earth’s landscape. As our population grows and our planet heats up, it is imperative that we take

advantage of biodiversity and the benefits it provides. When doing so, the farm will be

more resilient to changes in climate that will cause increasing drought and flooding, declining ecological balance of natural predators, and more pests and sterile land-scapes. And just as important, the farm is addressing the worldwide biodiversity crisis.

More complex farmscapes have the greatest potential of supporting plants and animals

and the benefits they provide. Increased soil microbial diversity improves carbon stor

-age and nitrogen fixation, water retention, and decreases plant pathogens. Extensive

plant cover ensures water quality and soil conservation. The more complex the flower

-ing, and especially native habitat with structural and compositional diversity, the more

support for beneficial organisms and the quicker they colonize the farm. All help to increase yields and buffer against climate change.