Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JULY 19 - 25, 2023 UCW 19 Agriculture industry must evolve to meet demands a STAFF REPORT e demand for food is directly related to popu- lation growth. By 2050, food needs are expected to double, according to a study published in the journal Agricultural Economics. at puts increasing pressure on the agricultural sector to meet growing demand. However, many experts think the industry will fall short. In addition to increased food demand, consumer habits, technology and policies continue to force the agricultural industry to evolve. Indeed, the agricultural sector may look very different in the future. Bigger digital footprint Social media has transformed many industries, and it can do the same for agriculture. Farming supply chains can communicate with one another by getting feedback from customers in real time through social media. However, agricultural opera- tions will have to devote teams to manage social media presence, especially since misinformation is so widespread on social media. Apart from social media, local farmers may in- crease their efforts to use mobile apps and direct-to- consumer purchasing options. e global pandemic helped businesses reimagine takeout and curb-side shopping. Local farms may want to market to the home- shopping community, providing ways to deliver produce, fresh meat and poultry and other items direct to customers' homes. Regenerative agriculture e future may feature a significant shift in the way farms source their ingredients. Regeneration International says that regenerative agriculture can be the future. is describes farming and grazing practices that may help reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degrad- ed soil biodiversity. Some insist that farmers who utilize regenerative agriculture produce food that is more sustainable and healthy. is is something eco- and health- conscious consumers can stand behind. Technological advancement ere's a good chance that technology will con- tinue to play important and growing roles in farming operations. New agricultural technologies can collect data on soil and plant health and produce results in real time. Precision farming technology can be developed to deliver integrated solutions no matter the size of the operation. Shift in what's grown Farmers may give more thought to sustainable products. Crops like hemp and cannabis are being utilized in new and innovative ways, and they're only the start as consumers have expanded their views on plant-based foods and products. While there's no way to see into the future, indi- viduals can anticipate changes that could be in store for the agricultural sector in the decades ahead. e agriculture sector may look very different in the future. How to create more privacy on your property a STAFF REPORT An inviting backyard can serve as a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. After a long day at the office or an exhausting day spent transporting kids to and fro, it's hard to resist the al- lure of a peaceful outdoor space in which to unwind. Privacy is a key component of any backyard oasis. Some homes may be so remote that privacy isn't an issue. But many suburban homeowners recognize they might need to tweak their landscapes if they hope to create a private oasis outside Fencing or planting? Most homeowners looking to create more privacy on their property will have to choose between fencing and planting. Fencing pro- vides immediate privacy because, once it's installed, no one can see into the yard. Fencing also doesn't require watering or other immediate upkeep, which will be necessary when planting to ensure tree roots can establish themselves. But planting has its benefits as well. Planting for privacy is essentially creating a living fence that can grow over time and provide even more privacy as trees reach maturity. Plants also tend to be less costly than fencing. e home renovation experts at BobVila.com estimate that fencing projects typically cost between $1,667 and $4,075. However, fencing projects can cost considerably more than $4,000, especially for homeowners with large properties they want to en- close. Large, mature trees can be expensive, though it's unlikely they will cost as much as fencing. In addition, fencing requires more maintenance and will potentially need to be replaced, while na- tive trees won't require much upkeep and can last for generations. Planting: Homeowners who choose to plant for privacy will next have to decide which type of plants to add to their prop- erties. Evergreens provide year-round pri- vacy because they don't shed their leaves, so these are the ones most often chosen when creating a living fence. A number of varieties of evergreen trees can do the job, but it's important that homeowners consult with a landscape architect prior to choosing trees so they can ensure the trees will thrive when faced with the growing conditions on their properties. During such a consultation, homeown- ers may discuss the following popular privacy trees. Leyland cypress: e Arbor Day Foun- dation notes that the Leyland cypress is popular for hedges and boundaries, likely because a typical tree reaches a mature height of 60 to 70 feet and can spread as wide as 25 feet. e Leyland cypress grows fast, which may appeal to homeowners who don't want to wait to establish privacy. Green Giant Arborvitae: ere are different vari- eties of the arborvitae, but the Green Giant tends to be the go-to option for privacy. e ADF notes that Green Giants will grow up to three feet per year until they reach maturity, providing a fast-growing option for privacy planters. e Green Giant can spread as wide as 20 feet at maturity, which is another attribute that makes it so popular among homeowners desiring privacy. Eastern White Pine: e ADF notes that the eastern white pine, which can reach heights as high as 80 feet, is favored in spacious yards. at's likely due to its height and its potential spread, which can reach 40 feet. Homeowners who choose the eastern white pine might like it for its resemblance to a Christmas tree, and in fact it is widely used for that purpose. e privacy provided by the eastern white pine is signifi- cant, but it might be best suited to especially large properties. Whether it's fencing or planting, homeowners have many options to consider as they seek to create more privacy on their properties. HOME & GARDEN Many homeowners recognize the need to tweak their landscapes to create a private oasis.