Having no sun, at least for a little bit of time each day during the summer, is normal due to a large amount of rain compared to most places in the USA. Rain is a relief from the heat, in addition, filling the groundwater wells where people get their water is greatly welcomed. This water is also much needed for crop production. Temperatures stay warm enough year-round to grow crops, which means the plants need water year-round. Even as great as the rain is and much needed, bare soil has high erosion potential, and landslides can occur. While I was, there was high rain compared to average in seeing erosion channels and landslides in the news. Once the soil is saturated, it can only hold so much water before it moves if given the opportunity to move from the forces of water. These forces can be reduced from devastating land movements and loss by keeping good root cover across the area. A choice made by some farmers is to plant cover crops and grow them during the summer and winter. Sunflowers are used and selected due to shading out the ground from certain weed species and breaking up pest cycles of insects and disease. Working with many cover crops in Brazil led to me talking about my work with cover crops at the University of Georgia. My work with perennial cover crops had an interest there, but only after a time to talk due to translational difficulty. They had thought that when I said perennial cover crops meant I grew them year-round, then went back to farming my cash crop one year later. While the reality is the perennial cover crop grows year-round, and the cash crop is planted into them to grow simultaneously. That is why pictures break the language barrier and have sparked an interest in the skills I have learned in Georgia to be brought to Brazil. While I may go back to work with cover crops in Brazil in a job, it is great to know that people already recognize their great benefit and are willing to try to implement some new techniques with an open mind.
