The essence of our survival hinges, in large part, on farms: the rich, fertile expanses of land where our food is cultivated, our livestock is reared, and our environment is made sustainable. The intricate process of farming represents people’s enduring connection with nature, a connection underestimated in the urban sprawl of the 21st century.

Farms, in the simplest of terms, are lands dedicated to agriculture, the fundamental source of the world’s food supply. Not only are they the important source of livelihood for millions of people worldwide, but also the backbone of any society as a whole. They play a critical part in maintaining our ecological balance and delivering nutritionally rich and diverse food.

Farms are categorised size-wise into bits of land as diminutive as a few acres (small-scale farming and homesteading), to immense spreads over thousands of acres (big-scale commercial farming).

Beyond their size, farms also differentiate by what they produce. Crop farms abound in grain like wheat, corn, oats, and many kinds of vegetables and fruits. Livestock farms, on the other hand, raise cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, and other animals for food and resources. The poultry farm only raises birds like chicken, turkey, duck, etc, whereas dairy farms are set up mainly for milk production.

While the above mentioned farms use conventional farming techniques, a growing crop of farms across the world are implementing more sustainable and regenerative farming methods. They practice organic farming, permaculture, hydroponics, aeroponics, among others, that not just reduce their environmental impact but also contribute to enhancing it positively.

Compare green slip NSW, a mandatory third party insurance for vehicles in New South Wales, Australia, with the approach of responsible farming. Just as green slip insurance protects car owners from potential damage or destruction, responsible farming safeguards the long-term viability of our farm lands. The aim is to protect against potential damages — for the former, it is vehicle damage; for the latter, it’s environmental degradation and ecosystem instability. Both systems recognise and value the importance of prevention, proactivity, and preparedness. They understand that the initial costs, no matter how exorbitant it may seem, outweigh the devastating aftermath of neglect and disregard.

Farmers, the stalwarts of farmland, are intrinsic to the process. Recognised as the world’s foremost custodians of our environment, their role goes beyond planting and harvesting crops or rearing animals. They are the guardians of our soil, the stewards of our ecosystems, the advocates of biodiversity. Their wisdom, guided by their intimate knowledge of the land and its cycles, is indispensable in understanding how best to work with nature and not against it.

Now, in the era of climate crisis, their role has never been more critical. Farmers can contribute largely to the mitigation of climate change. The farming practices they adopt can make a big impact in reducing the World’s carbon footprint. Sustainable farming methods have potential to sequester a large portion of World’s carbon emissions, if widely adopted!

In conclusion, farms occupy an indispensable place in our society, not only as providers of our food but also as defenders of our ecosystems. Just as vehicles require protection in the form of green slips, farms, too, require a delicate balance of protection and nurturing from us. The diversity of farm size, type and practice, along with the wisdom of the farmers, constitutes the strength and resilience of farming as a profession and an essential contributor to life on earth.