Project Feed the Hood | Planting Seeds for Community Needs
Description: New Mexico's Food For Thought
Climate change poses significant threats to farming in the Southwest . Changes in climate such as scarcity of water, longer periods of drought, and warmer temperatures leave farmers wondering how they will adapt to the changing conditions. Mushrooms are a climate-resilient crop as they have low ecological footprints and don’t require much time, space, or resources to grow. They are nutritious in the kitchen and have numerous beneficial uses. Mushroom farming in New Mexico is emerging, and these farmers pla
The first time I read about the sustainability of mushrooms, I was pleasantly surprised to hear about their low-carbon footprint. Firstly, they have an amazing capacity to decompose and recycle organic material. Any waste in the agricultural sector can be turned into compost for growing mushrooms, making them one of the lowest-carbon footprint farms. According to one article , “In the United States on average, 35% of home waste and 60% of business waste is suitable for use as a mushroom growing substrate
Secondly, mushrooms use little water compared to other crops. For instance, one pound of fresh produce may take up to 50 gallons of water to grow, whereas one pound of “button” mushrooms takes two gallons of water to grow. Mushroom farmers have become incredibly efficient with their use of water, which is why mushrooms are one of the most drought-friendly crops.
Project Feed the Hood | Planting Seeds for Community Needs