Intoduction/ Buffaloes

 

  In the introduction, I think Carlisle did a great job explaining the importance of our soil. I know from a few discussions ago I may have mentioned how our modern industrial agriculture is setting us back and the author provides multiple reasons how it happens and how we can combat it. Finally, regenerative agriculture is being mentioned again which will be a primary solution for saving our soil and replenishing our carbon stocks. The author includes a lot of statistics involving carbon emissions and with our agriculture and tells us how we can really reverse most of the damage done if more industries and farmers begin trying regenerative practices. As I read through the first chapter, I was surprised at how much of an ecological impact buffaloes had on the prairie. I like that the author made it known that land wasn’t already rich and highly productive, but the buffaloes made it that way. Their grazing patterns and daily life on the prairie kind of promotes regenerative agriculture, their presence contributed to more thriving plants which leads to more carbon being taken out the atmosphere and improving our soils carbon retention. Buffaloes didn’t only support the vegetation in the prairie but also served as a food source for the tribes who lived there. Sadly, productivity on the prairie was greatly reduced when they began to be wiped out along with the instruction to till the land.