A shocking 70% of North America’s prairies have been lost over the last decades, as reported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These biodiverse grasslands, once sprawling from Mexico through the United States to Canada, are being plowed up for crops like wheat, soy, corn, alfalfa, and canola. This is a crisis that few are talking about, but its irreversible impact on America is something we need to bring into the spotlight.
Stop The Conversion
Just like the Amazon rainforest in South America, our own North American prairies are rapidly turning into farmland. And it's a big deal. This transformation is putting our native plants, animals, and the livelihoods of local communities at risk. But there's hope. By eating upcycled food, Kipster chickens are contributing to a world where the endangered Prairie Chicken can still be saved.
Why Prairies Are Crucial
These prairies aren't just grassy fields. They're ecological powerhouses. They hold about one-third of the world's terrestrial carbon stocks, purify and store water for millions downstream, and provide a home for a diverse array of species, including bison, deer, and black-footed ferrets. Plus, they're essential for the wellbeing of Native nations, ranchers, and other communities that depend on these grasslands.
Save The Prairie Chicken
Most of these prairies aren’t great for crops, and converting them leads to problems like soil erosion, carbon release, and wildlife displacement. This is where the Greater and Lesser Prairie Chickens, relatives of pheasants and turkeys, come into the picture. They're now endangered because their natural habitats are disappearing.
Towards A Sustainable Food System
Here's a food for thought: over 80% of the cereals grown in the U.S. aren't for human consumption directly but for feeding livestock. The loss of prime farmland to urban development, coupled with government policies and a booming demand for biofuels and animal products, is pushing farmers into these vital grasslands. This trend needs to stop. We already have enough agricultural land to feed our population. What's required is a shift in our farming practices, energy production, lifestyle, and diet. Did you know that one out of every three calories in the US is either lost or wasted? Why not feed it to animals? Reducing food waste is our first step, and then we can repurpose whatever is left – the safe and nutritious by-products from crop processing and food manufacturing – into chicken feed. Our Kipster hens are experts at this, turning these leftovers into valuable proteins.
Time to Give a Cluck!
Join us in advocating for a food system where residual streams become food, fertilizers, fuel, and fiber. By reducing food waste and supporting sustainable farming practices, we can decrease the need for excessive livestock. Let's leave the bison and dairy animals on the grasslands, where they help sustain local communities and native flora and fauna. By choosing eggs from hens fed on upcycled feed, like those from Kipster, you're contributing to saving the prairie chickens and preserving their natural habitat. Let's band together for our prairies and their inhabitants. I'm curious about your opinion. I'd love to hear from you.
Sandra Vijn
Managing Director Kipster USA