Grazing lands represent the largest and most diverse land resource in the world. More than half of the world’s land surface is capable of supporting grazing. In the US, grazing lands support upward of 20 million deer, 500,000 pronghorn antelope, 400,000 elk, 55,000 wild horses and burros, and numerous other wildlife species.[fn value=1][/fn] Furthermore, grazing lands are stocked with 60 million cattle and 8 million sheep, supporting farmers and ranchers and the economy.[fn value=2][/fn] However, there has been a trend in the last several decades of removing animals from the land, reducing the use of these grazing lands and instead feeding them corn and soy grown in fields that occupy once fertile grasslands.[fn value=3][/fn]

A key importance of these grasslands is their ability to sequester carbon, effectively removing it from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. The deep roots of native grasses that grow in grasslands play a critical role in this process. Managed grazing is critical in facilitating carbon sequestration in our grasslands. In fact, one study, which analyzed 115 pasture and land-use studies worldwide, concluded that soil carbon levels increase with improved management (natural fertilization, grazing management, and conversion from cultivation to native vegetation). In fact, the conversion of cultivated land to grazing land resulted in an average annual increase in soil organic carbon of 3-5%.[fn value=4][/fn]

Many farmers have recognized the importance of managed grazing and pasture based agricultural practices that are good4 the planet. However, in order to fully support this type of agriculture there needs to be a market for these products. That’s where Natural Grocers comes in. We have transitioned our entire dairy department over so that we only carry dairy products from animals on managed pasture. Furthermore, we offer numerous grassfed meats and pasture-based eggs. We all have to eat, so why not eat in a way that is not only good4u, but also, good4 the planet, too!

If you want to learn more about this fascinating subject, give the book Cows Save the Planet a read or attend the class, Can Your Food Choices Save the Planet?—a free community education class offered at many Natural Grocers stores around the country.