The mighty Mississippi river is home to not just one type of crop but many. From Louisiana to Minnesota, this winding waterway is a host to a directory of flourishing agricultural life forms that thrive along its banks.
At first glance, the 1,200-mile river may appear lush and vibrant all year round, but it has its unique ups and downs when it comes to what can flourish on its banks. In times of drought and floods, yearly temperatures and a host of other shifting variables dictate what can be grown and how it is grown.
Wheat, soybeans, maize and rice on the southern stretch of the river typically dominate, due to the perfect balance of spongy soil, moisture and amount of daylight.
As the river heads further north, the climate begins to change as it seasons become cooler and more intense. Local farmers have adapted to cater to the change in conditions and thus, the crops grown are much hardery and tolerate cooler temperatures better. Apples and pears, for example, are firm favourites for many farmers who derive a good income from these beloved fruits.
Suspending along the northern regions of the river, farmers quickly learn that specialised equipment is usually needed to deal with wet and cold soil. For profitable harvests, farmers in colder climates have adopted a technique used by many agriculturalists along the Missouri and Ohio Rivers; seasonal rotations.
Horticulture is of particular importance to the farmers along the snowy stretches of the Mississippi. Potato and carrot crops require particular attention because of the aggressive winter weather. Thankfully, potatoes are a notably hardy crop and can be seen everywhere during summer months, a testament to their ability to thrive in colder climates.
The Mississippi itself is no stranger to floods in the summer months, which makes it particularly difficult to grow certain crops along its banks. This is especially so on the western leg of the river which hosts way more floods than its eastern counterpart.
Farmers can adjust their crops for greater resilience against floods by planting in slightly higher areas that are not prone to the yearly flood risk. Maize and sunflower crops, for example, can be grown far from the marshy wetlands near the banks.
Irrigation Systems
The funds to build and maintain an effective irrigation system along the banks of the Mississippi can sometimes be a challenge. Despite the cost, more farmers are recognising the value in reaping the benefits of an irrigation system.
Irrigation is a game-changing tool that can be used with or without the aid of Rainfall Capturing Systems (RCS) to bring various types of weather on command. This explains why its growth has been considerable in the last 5 years, with maize and wheat being the most prominent of the irrigation-cultivated crops.
Irrigation has been made easier thanks to the development of the Valley-Source A map series. The interactive map has divided the river into easy to access sections and allows farmers to purchase multiple types of irrigation for their designated area.
By improving their irrigation system, farmers have witnessed a massive growth in the number of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers they can grow in their designated areas. This is particularly true in the southern stretch of the river, where the sun is predominantly abundant and the soil is spongy.
Better irrigation systems also mean more crops can be grown with less use of herbicides and pesticides. This, in turn, helps to preserve the land and protect the rivers edge against loose farming methods.
Rice Plantation
Rice plantation is one of the more unique crops grown along the Mississippi. Despite the cooler temperatures, farmers still find a way to provide nourishment from the crop.
Rice is typically planted in the spring and harvested during the late summer months when the weather is particularly warm. However, the soil needs to be consistently susceptible to moisture and this is where the irrigation systems come in to play.
Rice farmers must also be aware of pests that have a predilection for the crop. Traditionally, farmers would spray herbicides and pesticides to try and keep the pests away. In the last few years, pesticides are increasingly being replaced with natural predators like lacewings and ladybugs that feed on the pests.
In the southern reaches of the Mississippi, rice paddies are more abundant, thanks largely to the warmer temperatures and abundance of sunlight.
One of the most distinctive rice paddies can be seen in the Lower Mississippi Delta region, near the big two rivers meet. Here, the earth is lusher and steamier than the rest of the river and is home to the largest variety of rice paddies.
Risks Associated to Farming
The diversity of crops planted along the Mississippi’s banks comes with its fair share of risks and drawbacks. Severe flooding, is a particular worry, with unpredictable seasonal weather patterns ever present.
Also, predatory animals like deer can be a recurring and unwanted guest for some farmers. This can have a significant effect on certain crops, with many self-taught scare tactics used to try and ward them off.
Despite these threats, farming near the Mississippi is still a prosperous investment for those able to tap into the field. With the right irrigation system in place, families can guarantee the soil’s moisture and establish a much more secure hold on their venture.
Income generated from farm produce is often remitted by the state. In a sense, it is as if the state pays the farmers to work their own land, placing an added emphasis on how essential farming is to the region.
Rise of Agri-Technology
Agri-technology, such as precision farming and modern sensors, are helping farmers to better manage the risks of farming near the Mississippi. This technology is helping to combat the rising costs of farming, as it offers farmers an improved understanding of their crops, soil and yield.
In turn, increased efficiency means that farmers can spend less time managing their crops and more time back with their families. For example, instead of performing traditional tilling, farmers are now able to carry out the process from their laptop.
Technology is also an avenue to better utilise resources. Water use is now easier to control and monitor, enabling farmers to distribute their water accordingly. This is becoming increasingly important as water shortages become an ever-companion on the Mississippi.
Robotics, also, is a technology that is slowly beginning to work its way into the farming industry on a more noticeable level. The use of drones is particularly popular in terms of crop analysis and management. Nowadays, farmers can monitor their crops from the comfort of their own home.
Organic Movements
Around the upper banks of the Mississippi, along the Minnesota border, organic farming movements have been gaining rise over the last few years. Here, farmers are forgoing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in favour of natural ones.
Organic farming has become increasingly desired among the consumer base, raising awareness of the potential health risks of consuming genetically modified food. Organic foods are also often perceived to taste better and be more nutrient-dense than non-organic produce.
Organic farmers near the Mississippi are dedicated to the beneficial preservation of resources. Many of these farmers employ the use of more traditional methods, such as crop rotation and natural predation. Through the use of these ancient techniques, organic farmers are striving to provide people with a cleaner and cheaper source of food.
Organic farming is a progressive movement that emphasises the importance of sustainability and healthy living. With the rise of this movement, the Mississippi River Valley could be looking at a bright future where organic produce becomes the new norm.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture is a growing market that is taking form along the banks of the Mississippi. This form of agriculture involves the practice of breeding and harvesting various species of fish and animals from the river itself.
Shellfish, such as mussels, clams, oysters and other saltwater delicacies are becoming more and more popular near the Mississippi River Valley.
Shrimp and crawfish farms are also commonplace and have become an important source of employment to local communities.
Cage-culture of marine species is happening more and more in rivers like the Mississippi as a response to dwindling fish stocks in the sea. This type of farming requires specially invented cages that are submerged in the waters of the river.
The advantages of these cages are that they can be provisioned with aerators and aquarium lights. Farmers can also control the amount of food that goes into the cages and thus, the impact on their profits.
Though the main focus of this type of farming is for commercial purposes, the cages also create a form of artificial habitat for marine life in the river and can, therefore, be regarded as beneficial for both parties.
De-forestation and Land Consumptions
De-forestation along the Mississippi is a grim reality that is damaging not only the environment but also cutting back the amount of land farmers can utilise for their crops.
The good news is that some farmers are looking at the problem tactically to restore lost lands and aid the practices of growing more food along the banks of the Mississippi.
The farmers are using more sustainable techniques to break up the land, like minimum tillage methods and even electric tilling. These less-invasive methods are proving to be a success as they are restoring plant life in the soils, while still leaving them usable for agricultural practices.
The same farmers are also creating more efficient irrigation management systems that make use of oxygenators to alleviate excessive water consumption during times of drought. This has been a game-changer in slowing the de-forestation of the region, allowing for more land to be used for farming.
In conclusion, farming near the Mississippi River has its challenges but, with a variety of approaches and tools, farmers are developing more sustainable and profitable methods to live with and from the land.
