Harvesting Tomorrow: How Agriculture Must Adapt to a Changing Climate

Why the Future of Food Depends on Innovation, Policy, and Resilience

Food prices are rising. Rural communities are struggling. Climate change is forcing a reckoning in agriculture. The way we grow food is changing—whether we’re ready or not.

In a recent episode of Three Degrees, I sat down with Channing Dutton, David Thorson, and agricultural policy expert Matt Russell to discuss the urgent challenges facing American farms, the political and economic roadblocks, and the hope that remains for a sustainable future. The stakes are high, and the path forward requires a major shift in how we approach food production.

The Climate Crisis at the Grocery Store

We often think about climate change in terms of rising temperatures, extreme weather, and natural disasters. But one of the most direct ways it affects our daily lives? The grocery store.

From grains to eggs to coffee and chocolate, climate disruptions are already driving up food prices and straining supply chains. Years of drought, flooding, and extreme weather events have made it harder for farmers to produce stable yields, leading to market volatility and food insecurity.

Russell made it clear: climate change is on every shelf in the supermarket.

The End of Fossil-Fuel Farming

For decades, industrial agriculture has relied heavily on fossil fuels—whether through mechanization, synthetic fertilizers, or intensive irrigation systems. The Green Revolution of the mid-20th century drastically increased food production, but it came with a cost: an unsustainable dependence on finite resources and chemicals that degrade soil health over time.

Russell argues that the era of fossil-fuel farming is over. The future of agriculture isn’t about forcing nature to bend to human needs; it’s about working with nature. That means embracing regenerative practices, integrating diverse crops, and harnessing renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, and natural soil cycles.

The shift won’t be easy, but it’s necessary. Farmers must pivot from high-input, resource-intensive agriculture to climate-smart, sustainable systems that not only reduce emissions but also build resilience to extreme weather.

Iowa’s Food Paradox: A Powerhouse That Imports Its Own Food

Iowa is an agricultural giant, producing massive amounts of corn, soybeans, and livestock for the global market. But shockingly, the state remains a food desert, importing nearly 80% of its food. How is it possible that one of the world’s most productive farming regions can’t feed its own residents?

The problem lies in a lack of crop diversity and market incentives. Large-scale industrial farming has prioritized cash crops like corn and soy over food crops like fruits, vegetables, and small grains. In turn, the infrastructure to support local food production has dwindled, making it harder for communities to access fresh, locally grown food.

The solution? Expanding what we grow and how we grow it. Russell envisions a future where Iowa farmers diversify their crops, integrate livestock with grain production, and create localized food systems that are both more resilient and more beneficial to the state’s economy.

The Political Battle Over Climate-Smart Agriculture

Progress in sustainable farming hasn’t just been slowed—it’s actively being rolled back by political forces intent on undoing climate action. The Biden administration made historic investments in climate-smart agriculture, allocating billions toward regenerative farming and conservation programs. But with a new administration, those programs are at risk of being dismantled.

In Iowa alone, at least 100 USDA staff working directly with farmers have been fired or laid off. Federal funding for climate-related agricultural initiatives is being slashed. The words climate change are even being removed from USDA websites. This isn’t just a pause—it’s a deliberate reversal.

The consequences are dire. Without investment in climate resilience, farms will struggle to adapt, food prices will continue to rise, and rural communities will bear the brunt of the fallout.

The Global Stakes: Food, Conflict, and Migration

This isn’t just an American problem—it’s a global crisis. History shows that food insecurity often leads to instability. When crops fail due to droughts or extreme weather, conflict and migration follow. Russell points out that many of the world’s geopolitical crises can be traced back to food scarcity, which is increasingly driven by climate change.

With the world population projected to surpass 9 billion in the next decade, the pressure on global food systems will only intensify. Without swift action, we’re looking at a future marked by widespread famine, resource wars, and mass displacement.

Hope in the Soil: Farmers Leading the Way

Despite the challenges, Russell remains hopeful. Why? Because farmers are already leading the way in climate-smart practices.

From cover cropping and rotational grazing to carbon sequestration and diversified farming, many producers are proving that sustainable agriculture isn’t just possible—it’s profitable. The best ideas aren’t coming from corporations or politicians; they’re coming from farmers themselves.

But for these efforts to succeed at scale, they need public investment and policy support. The partnership between farmers and the American public is crucial. Without it, agriculture will struggle to adapt, and the consequences will be felt by everyone—from rural communities to urban consumers.

The Crossroads: Catastrophe or a Better Future?

Agriculture is at a tipping point. We can either adapt and build a more sustainable, resilient food system—or face catastrophic consequences.

The choices we make now will shape the future of farming, food security, and the planet itself. It’s time to stop debating whether change is necessary and start accelerating the transition. A better, healthier, and more sustainable future is within reach—if we have the will to make it happen.

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