The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Sustainable
Agricultural Systems is an interdisciplinary center formed in
1991 for the purpose of bringing together people and resources to
promote an agriculture that is efficient, competitive,
profitable, environmentally and socially sustainable for the
indefinite future. This electronic version of the Center's
bimonthly newsletter is published 10-14 days before those on our
mailing list receive their hard copy. At this time there is no
charge for being on our newsletter mailing list. To be added to
the "hard copy" list, or for questions or comments, contact the
newsletter editor, Pam Murray, Administrative Coordinator, Center
for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, 221 Keim Hall, University
of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0949, phone - (402)
472-2056, fax - (402) 472-7904, email - CSAS001@UNLVM.UNL.EDU.
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Contents:
DEFINING PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN NEBRASKA
NEBRASKA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST FUND
SUSTAINABLE AG GRANTS FOR PRODUCERS
NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE AG COORDINATING COUNCIL
FEDERAL CONSERVATION POLICY IS CHANGING
FAO EXAMINES EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
RESEARCH ON REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF LIVESTOCK
IN THE SEMINAR SPOTLIGHT
UPCOMING EVENTS
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION IS IN
RESOURCES
DEFINING PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN NEBRASKA
What are sustainable, transitional, and conventional production
systems? Don't stop reading, this is not another article on the
definition of sustainable agriculture! However, the question
continues to haunt the literature, policy debates, and research
agendas. Some of the best minds in agriculture have concentrated
on this question for some time; some kind of consensus must have
been reached. The 1990 farm bill defines sustainable agriculture
as "... an integrated system of plant and animal production
practices having a site-specific application that will, over the
long-term: satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance
environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which
the agricultural economy depends; make the most efficient use of
nonrenewable resources and on-farm/ranch resources and integrate,
where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
sustain the economic viability of farm/ranch operations; and
enhance the quality of life for farmers/ranchers and society as a
whole." While the farm bill definition and many like it are
excellent overall umbrella definitions, they are not helpful for
operationalizing ground level sustainable systems research.
One standard research model is the replicated experiment. Many
researchers have used tillage, rotation, and chemical use test
plots to compare sustainable and conventional systems. These
experiments have expanded the knowledge base of sustainable
agriculture, but they lack one of the very pillars upon which
sustainable agriculture rests: the "system." It is the system
interaction of crop rotations, pest control, fertility, tillage
practices, and livestock production that result in economic and
environmental benefits. To not include the interaction effects
in an experimental design is to miss the very advantage of an
integrated sustainable system. Patrick Madden, associate
director of the USDA SARE program, writes:
"...one proposal that was not supported contained an otherwise
excellent experimental design intended to compare conventionally
managed plots with 'low-input' plots. The error in the design
was that the so-called low-input plots were to be managed exactly
like the conventional plots, except that the chemical pesticides
and fertilizers were withheld. This proposed 'low-input' treat-
ment could be more accurately characterized as benign neglect."
Another factor that sometimes makes operationalizing difficult is
that sustainable agriculture is "site-specific." A four-crop
rotation in the Platte valley of Nebraska would likely be
considered a sustainable practice, while a four-crop rotation in
the Palouse region of Washington state is conventional.
Case studies that address the "system" and "site-specific" nature
of sustainable agriculture have been important contributions, but
they suffer from the inability to generalize to the population.
Through an Agriculture in Concert with the Environment (ACE)
grant (obtained with assistance from the Center for Sustainable
Agricultural Systems), a team of UNL researchers is investigating
the economic, environmental, and sociological effects of moving
toward a more sustainable agriculture. The study is one of six
regional studies which will be aggregated to assess the national
impact of moving toward a more sustainable agriculture, thus the
ability to generalize is important. With this in mind, the goal
of the ACE project is to capture, on a fairly wide scale, the
"system" effects of different production systems "specific" to
Nebraska.
The researchers conducted a statewide survey of producers. Using
a K-means cluster analysis algorithm that separates observations
based on similarities of the data, the producers were categorized
into four groups based on similarity of production practices.
The power of using this method is that differentiation of the
groups did not involve researchers' perceptions of what is
sustainable or conventional. Also, criteria for differentiating
one system from another were not based on any component of a
system. Rather, the separation was based on the entire
production system, and was data driven based on the actual
production practices employed.
Besides the 60 production practices used to calculate the cluster
groups, there were approximately 400 other characteristics
collected. A few of the defining production and nonproduction
characteristics are listed below.
Group 1: primarily anhydrous and liquid N as fertility sources;
largest farm size (800 ac.); own 1/3 of farm, lease 1/3 from
family; two-crop rotation (corn-sb); primarily chemical means of
weed control; the most highly erodible land (HEL); some
irrigation; avg. age 42; 0% membership in the Neb. Sust. Ag.
Society (NSAS); no-till tillage system.
Group 2: virtually 100% anhydrous as N fertility source; 2nd
largest farm size (730 ac.); own 1/2 of farm, lease from
nonfamily; continuous corn; primarily chemical means of weed and
insect control; virtually no HEL; virtually all irrigated; avg.
age 50; 0% Membership in NSAS; virtually all feedgrain base.
Group 3: uses anhydrous, but also highest in use of green and
animal manure, compost, & N fixed by legumes; 3rd largest farm
size (500 ac.); own over 1/2 of the farm, lease from family;
three-crop rotation (corn-sb-+); uses variety of chemical and
nonchemical means of weed and insect control; some HEL; virtually
no irrigation; avg. age 46; 10% membership in NSAS.
Group 4: no anhydrous ammonia used; smallest farm size (280
ac.); own virtually 100% of farm; four-crop rotation
(c-alf-oats-sb); no insecticides used; some HEL; virtually no
irrigation; avg. age 55; 17% membership in NSAS.
Group 1 could be thought of as transitional, Group 2
conventional, and Groups 3 and 4 as sustainable. The assignment
of these labels is a hypothesis at this point. The test of this
hypothesis will come in the next phase of the project when on-
farm interviews, soil sampling, and other experimentation will be
conducted.
Reference: Madden, J. Patrick. "Commentary: What is
Alternative Agriculture?" American Journal of Alternative
Agriculture 4 (1989): 32-34.
(Submitted by Kevin Bernhardt, Glenn Helmers and John Allen)
Editor's Note: For more information about this study, contact
Kevin Bernhardt, Ag. Econ. Dept., U. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
68583-0922, 402-472-7882.
NEBRASKA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST FUND
The Nebraska Environmental Trust, established in spring 1992, is
funded with 25% of the proceeds from the Nebraska State Lottery
(49.5% after 1997). The first check representing proceeds from
Oct. through mid-Dec. 1993 was for $868,311. The Nebraska
Environmental Trust Board is holding hearings in January and
February to get public input on a draft of the rules and
regulations governing allocation of these funds. This draft
document states that governmental entities (including the U. of
Nebraska) are eligible to submit application for funding, and
that educational projects may be considered to have "clear and
direct environmental benefits" -- one of the requirements. The
proposed final version of the regulations will be brought before
the public in a formal hearing process in April. Copies of the
draft regulations and additional information can be obtained from
the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, the Nebraska
Game and Parks Commission, the Natural Resources Commission, or
from the local Natural Resources District and Soil Conservation
Service offices.
SUSTAINABLE AG GRANTS FOR PRODUCERS
Farmers and ranchers in the 12-state North Central Region (NCR)
can apply for grants up to $5,000 to test and demonstrate
sustainable production and marketing practices. About $100,000
is expected to be available in 1994. In the first two years of
the NCR Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
program funded by USDA, 56 producer grants have been awarded for
projects ranging from rotational grazing and grass studies to
biological weed and pest control, low-input crop production,
nutrient management, composting of manure, use of post-CRP land,
and producing and marketing sweet sorghum syrup. While many of
the grants have been to study on-farm problems, others have been
used to sponsor educational programs and field days for
producers. A fact sheet describing all previous NCR producer
grants is available from the NCR SARE Office. As projects are
completed and evaluated, a publication of producer reports and
recommendations will be published. Below is a list of Nebraska
projects:
William and Elizabeth Kleinschmit, Hartington -- Converting
windrower to compost turner, allowing fertilization of more acres
with existing manure and fewer purchased inputs.
Robyn Rohlfing, Plymouth -- Test plots comparing effectiveness of
biological weed control in low (farm-style) and high (garden-
style) intensive crop situations.
Lowell Schroeder, Stanton -- Development, construction and
testing of non-chemical fly control traps for cattle in both cow-
calf and dairy herd situations.
Marvin and Evelyn Lange, Fordyce -- evaluating potential of
angora goats and sheep to control leafy spurge.
Gary Young, McLean -- comparing effects of alfalfa-winter rye
companion crop with conventional crop rotations for weed control
and yield; also has grant to evaluate controlled release of an
insect to control thistle.
Don Fox, Fairbury -- evaluating cattle performance per acre of
grassland and grassland production in terms of feed resource
quality, quantity and possible extended grazing systems.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. May 1. To request an
application form, fact sheet, or more information on the program,
write to NCR-SARE, 13A Activities Bldg, U. of Nebraska, Lincoln,
NE 68583-0840, or call (402) 472-7081.
NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE AG COORDINATING COUNCIL
The following was abstracted from a newsletter published by the
Center for Rural Affairs.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coordinating Council is
sponsoring a "national dialogue" between sustainable agriculture
groups, environmental groups, progressive farm organizations,
animal protection groups, farmworker groups and others to
identify a set of policy proposals for which they can work
together in the 1995 Farm Bill. This effort is founded on the
proposition that broad public concerns about issues such as
environmental protection and food quality support rather than
compete with family farm and sustainable agriculture objectives.
Complementary concerns include: reducing reliance on
petrochemicals; use of management skills to reduce purchased
inputs; opportunity to buy foods produced in a sustainable way;
protection of critical wildlife habitat and erosion-prone acres;
decent income and safe working conditions.
A series of workshops around the country to obtain input from
farmers and grassroots activists on farm bill options will
provide the basis for a large national conference in late Feb. at
which the initial outlines of a common agenda for the 1995 farm
bill will take shape. For information on Council activities, or
to obtain the packet of papers describing the policy options
under consideration for the 1995 farm bill ($4), contact the CRA,
PO Box 406, Walthill, NE 68067-0406, 402-846-5428.
FEDERAL CONSERVATION POLICY IS CHANGING
Public concerns over adverse environmental effects of agriculture
are influencing conservation policy in general as well as ag
policy in particular. Federal wetlands policy and the debate
over grazing fees on federally-owned lands are prominent examples
of each. Pressure for continued decrease in the level of ag
price and income supports is also affecting conservation policy.
These new environmental and budgetary concerns bring ag policy to
a crossroads. Maintaining the current level of conservation
programs in the next farm bill may be expensive. The CRP, for
example, is costing $2 billion per year, and reductions in
federal income support are reducing the leverage for
environmental compliance linked to farm programs. Two approaches
to ag and environmental policy will likely receive greater
consideration: 1) increased reliance on command-and-control
measures (regulation), such as chemical bans, taxes, and fines;
and 2) use of environmental stewardship payments to reward
environmental performance.
Source: USDA-ERS Ag Outlook Summary, Oct. 20, 1993.
FAO EXAMINES EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
In early December UNL Extension Communications Specialist Jim
King worked with people from 18 countries during an FAO
conference in Rome, "Integration of Environmental and Sustainable
Development Themes into Agricultural Educational and Extension
Programmes." FAO objectives were: (1) to examine the nature and
scope of involvement of ag education and extension institutions
in environmental and sustainable development; (2) to identify
roles, strategies and appropriate approaches through which ag
education and extension institutions could contribute to the
implementation of Agenda 21 of UNCED; and (3) to identify and
discuss issues and suggest policy and lines of action to improve
the role and contribution of ag education, training and extension
institution in environmental management and sustainable ag and
rural development. The strengths of U.S. programs were evident:
growing faculty commitment, joint appointments, regional
extension and research centers, Extension's targeted issues-based
programming, good linkages to the public and broad citizen
involvement in program development, a growing land-grant
commitment to sustainability, curriculum renewal efforts, and
emphasis on natural resources. For more information contact Jim
King, 104 ACB, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0918,
402-472-3022, email agcm009@unlvm.unl.edu. (Submitted by Jim
King)
RESEARCH ON REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF LIVESTOCK
The USEPA is sponsoring a multidisciplinary research project
called "Livestock and the Environment: A National Pilot Project."
The project's overall objective is to identify technologies,
management methods, public policies, and institutions that can
reduce the negative impacts of concentrated livestock production
on the environment, and at the same time, result in a livestock
industry that is economically viable and competitive. The Center
for Agricultural and Rural Development is a lead entity on the
project and is beginning to issue a series of reports containing
results. Contact CARD, Iowa State U., 578 Heady Hall, Ames, IA
50011-1070.
IN THE SEMINAR SPOTLIGHT
Clive Edwards, entomology professor and director of the
Sustainable Agriculture Program at Ohio State U., Jan. 20,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, "Importance of Systems
Integration to Sustainable Agriculture."
* * *
While there are many experts in various components of sustainable
agriculture, few have pieced together a complete picture of
integrated sustainable systems in which all the components
complement each other. A simplified example is using crop
residue as food for livestock and the residue from that livestock
as fertilizer for the crop. While there's a great deal more to
it than that, the concept that all things work together is what
agriculture must work toward in the current "biological age,"
which follows 40 years of the "chemical age." Only 25% of the
inorganic nitrogen put on a crop comes off with the crop; of the
remainder, up to 47% is lost to erosion (the U.S. has already
lost 1/3 of its topsoil), 15-20% to volatization, and 10-50% is
leached into the groundwater. An estimated 1,500 pesticides
exist today, 90% of which is used by corn, soybeans and cotton
(of that, corn uses half). Besides getting "lost" in the
environment, the law of diminishing returns eventually takes
effect; there comes a point when adding more fertilizer does not
mean a larger crop. Between 1945 and 1988, the use of nitrogen
fertilizer increased 20-fold, yet crop yields increased just
three-fold. And insects and weeds gradually build up resistances
to synthetic controls. Synthetic pesticides also are non-
selective, killing off the beneficial pests as well as the
harmful pests, leaving the plant with no natural pest controllers
and thus it becomes dependent upon the synthetic pesticides.
That is compounded by the amount of U.S. farming today that is
continuous cropping and monoculture. Sustainable agriculture
integration doesn't call for doing away with all synthetic
pesticides; it does call for proper pesticide timing and
placement, cultural controls, saving organic matter, and genetic
engineering. (Notes by Cheryl Alberts)
Editor's Note: Clive has authored several related papers. For
copies of the following contact Clive Edwards, Entomology Dept.,
Ohio State U., Columbus, OH 43210: The Environmental Impact of
Pesticides, 1987; The Use of Key Indicator Processes for
Assessment of the Effects of Pesticides on Soil Ecosystems, 1988;
Designing Integrated Low-Input Farming Systems to Achieve
Effective Weed Control, 1989; The Use of Innovative Agricultural
Practices in a Farm Systems Context for Pest Control in the
1990s, 1990; Long-Term Ecological Effects of Herbicides: Field
Studies, 1991. Clive also authored "The concept of integrated
systems in lower input/sustainable agriculture," Amer. J. Alt.
Ag., Volume II, No. 4.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Satellite Seminar Series on Manure: The IANR Manure Utilization
Committee (Don Sander, chair) has organized a satellite seminar
series on manure. On Feb. 21 Dennis Schulte will speak on
"Manure Issues in Europe." The March 25 seminar will highlight the
environmental viewpoint, followed by a review on past manure
research in April. Contact: Don Sander, Agronomy Dept., 402-472-
1501.
NSAS Annual Meeting: Feb. 26, Columbus, NE. Featured speakers
at the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society annual meeting
will be Dr. John Ikerd from the U. of Missouri on quality of life
issues in sustainable ag, and Robyn Van En, co-founder of the
first community supported agriculture (CSA) farm in the U.S. Ms.
Van En will also make a presentation on CSAs at the Douglas
County Extension Office in Omaha the evening of Feb. 25, an event
co-sponsored by the CSAS. Contact: Tim Powell, UNL Northeast
Research and Extension Center, 402-584-2261.
Beginning Farmer Conference: Mar. 4-5, Omaha, NE. "Farmers for
the Next Century," the first national conference for beginning
farmers and ranchers, will have workshops on: government
programs; financial planning; start-up strategies; estate
planning strategies; financing from commercial lenders; low-cost
hog, cattle and sheep production strategies; using leases,
buy/sell agreements. Contact: Nancy Thompson, Center for Rural
Affairs, 402-846-5428.
Linking Communities to Agriculture: Mar. 5, Columbus, NE.
Speakers at this public forum will introduce issues and provide a
framework for discussing the impact of ag production and policy
changes on communities. They also will discuss potential
alliances between groups focusing on maintaining the quality of
life in rural Nebraska. Panel members include farmers,
agribusiness operators and entrepreneurs. Trade show allows
entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and exchange ideas with
community leaders on new economic development opportunities;
tables are $5 each and must be reserved by Feb. 25. The meeting
is part of the Strengthen Economic Links Locally (SELL) program
in the UNL Ag. Econ. Dept. Contact: Karen Loftis,
l-800-328-2851.
1994 Nebraska Water Conference: Mar. 14-16, Lincoln, NE.
"Conjunctive Use: Sharing a Resource," focus on state water
policy. Contact: UNL Water Center/Environmental Programs, 402-
472-3305.
Applied Research and Education in Sustainable Agriculture: What
Have We Learned? Apr. 11-12, Indianapolis, IN. Workshop for
scientists and educators who work with sustainable ag practices
and practitioners. Program topics: 1) Farming Systems and
Sustainable Ag -- What Have We Learned? Building
Interdisciplinary Teams; 2) Farmer Decision Aids (chaired by
Jerry White, Cornell) -- Preparing and Evaluating Decision Aids,
Examples of Sustainable Ag Decision Aids; 3) Applied Research and
Demonstration Projects (chaired by Glenn Helmers, Nebraska) --
Setting Up a Farming System Project, Interpretation and Use of
Results, Reports of Successful Projects; 4) Methods For Applied
Research and Education (chaired by Steve Lovejoy, Purdue) --
Alternative Techniques, Case Studies-Modeling-Centers, Farmer
Participation. This event is sponsored by the North Central Farm
Management Extension Committee and the Farm Foundation. Contact:
William Edwards at Iowa State U., 515-294-6161.
Second National IPM Symposium/Workshop: Apr. 12-22, Las Vegas,
NV. Opportunity for scientists from all disciplines to exchange
most recent information and plan for IPM's future critical role
in sustainable ag, food safety, and environmental stewardship.
Contact: Ronald Kuhr, North Carolina State U., Dept. of
Entomology, Box 7613, Raleigh, NC 27695-7613.
Second Environmentally Sound Ag Conference: Apr. 20-22, Orlando,
FL. Focus on state-of-the-art technology for sustaining an
environmentally sound and productive ag industry in an urbanizing
U.S. Major topic areas: surface and ground water management;
point sources of contamination; air pollution; wildlife and
habitat preservation; urban/agricultural interrelationship.
Contact: Pat Neilson, U. of Florida, Office of Conferences, PO
Box 110750, Gainesville, Fl 32611-0750, 904-392-5930.
5th International Symposium On Earthworm Ecology: July 5-9,
Columbus, OH. Nine consecutive plenary sessions: earthworm (EW)
taxonomy, diversity & biogeography; EW ecology, biology,
behavior; EW, organic matter, nutrient dynamics, microbial
ecology; influence of EW on soil physical structure & function;
interactions between EW, other soil invertebrates, and plants; EW
in environ. & waste mgt.; EW & environ. contamination; EW as
bioindicators of sustainability & productivity; EW in ag & other
managed ecosystems. Contact: Dr. Clive Edwards, Entomology
Dept., Ohio State U., Columbus, OH 43210, 614-292-3786.
Agroforestry and Sustainable Systems Symposium: Aug. 7-10, Fort
Collins, CO. Designed for researchers, practitioners, technical
specialists and educators. Speakers will focus on how trees,
integrated into sustainable ag land-use systems in the semiarid
west, will enhance ag productivity, natural resource
conservation, and natural and human environments. Proposals for
poster papers due April 15. Contact: Kim Isaacson, USDA Forest
Service, Center for Semiarid Agroforestry, FSL, U. of Nebraska,
Lincoln, NE 68583-0822, 402-472-5178.
International Conference on Modern Ag. and the Environment: Oct.
2-6, Rehovot, Israel. Topics include: controlled application and
mgt. of fertilizers, pests, pesticides, and alternatives;
reclamation and utilization of wastewater; recycling of municipal
and ag waste; pollution and detoxification of heavy metals.
Deadline for abstract submissions is Apr. 30. Contact: Conference
Secretariat, "Agriculture and Environment Conference," Peltours-
Te'um Congress Organisers, PO Box 8388, Jerusalem 91082, Israel.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION IS IN
With less money and time to travel and more access to worldwide
computer networks, more people are turning to e-mail, file
servers, electronic meeting groups, and managed electronic
conferences in which registered participants read and post to an
electronic bulletin board. Of potential interest to our readers
are the following global activities:
- SANET - electronic meeting group focusing on sustaining
agriculture and communities; created in 1991.
- "Indicators of Sustainability" -- conference dealing with
development of physical, biological, social and economic
indicators of sustainability; runs until Jan. 17 - April 15,
1994, with documents available longer.
- "IPMnet" - bulletin board containing a newsletter, information
exchange forum, technical reports and databases; created in late
1993.
- "Ecotechnology for Sustainable Development" -- conference for
those unable to attend the national conference, regional
workshops, or local seminars associated with this multi-faceted
effort.
Any of the above may be "joined" at any time. For more
information contact the CSAS office.
RESOURCES
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"Our Sustainable Future" is a book series that provides an
interdisciplinary forum for discussion of issues on development
of sustainable communities, food production, and resource use
systems at both the local and the global level. Many of today's
challenges are found at the interfaces between disciplines and
require systemic, multidisciplinary approaches. In this new book
series from University of Nebraska Press, we focus our collective
sense of urgency in seeking creative solutions for sustainable
development. Collecting and summarizing information for a
student audience and for the general public serves the broad
educational agenda of universities by providing information and
insights on new alternatives for the future. Hot off the press
is the latest in the series, "Future Harvest: Pesticide Free
Farming," by Jim Bender, 1994, $21 (+ s&h). From his own
experience farming 600 acres near Weeping Water, Neb., Jim
addresses the crucial issues involved in developing a
commercially-sized, conservation-oriented organic farm that is
economically viable. A sidenote is that Jim is on our CSAS
Advisory Committee.
The following is a list of other books in this series (add $2.50
s&h for first book and 25 cents for each additional book):
"Agricultural Research Alternatives," by William Lockeretz and
Mollie Anderson, 1993, $30.
"Building Soils for Better Crops: Organic Matter Management," by
Fred Magdoff, 1993, $22.95.
"Crop Improvement for Sustainable Agriculture," by Brett Callaway
and Charles Francis, 1993, $35.
"Ogallala: Water for a Dry Land," by John Opie, 1993, $35.
"A Conspiracy of Optimism: Sustained Yield, Multiple Use, and
Intensive management of the National Forests, 1945-91," by Paul
Hirt, 1994, $40 (tentative).
Related Books:
"New Roots for Agriculture," by Wes Jackson, 1985, $7.95.
"Family Farming: A New Economic Vision," by Marty Strange, 1988,
$9.95.
"Struggle for the Land: Indigenous Insight and Industrial Empire
on the Semiarid World," edited by Paul Olson, 1990, $37.95.
Inquiries are invited from potential authors about projects on
the general theme of sustainable agriculture and development.
The Acquisitions Editor at Nebraska Press is Nancy Rosen, and one
of the Series Editors is Charles Francis. Order information is
available from University of Nebraska Press, P.O. Box 880520,
Lincoln, NE 68588-0520, 402-472-3584.
* * *
"Farm Policies and the Sustainability of Agriculture: Rethinking
the Connections," and "Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability
Through Changes In Federal Commodity Policy: Marginal Versus
Radical Change," $6 ea. Wallace Institute for Alternative
Agriculture, 9200 Edmonston Rd, #117, Greenbelt, MD 20770, 301-
441-8777.
"American Journal of Alternative Agriculture," Latest issue
features Ag Policy Debates: Examining Alternative and
Conventional Perspectives, Barriers to Low-Input Ag Adoption: A
Case Study, Is Sustainable Ag and Elixir for Rural Communities?
Annual subscriptions begin at $44. Wallace Institute (see above).
"1993 State of Rural Nebraska Report," and "Top 100 Development
Projects in Rural Nebraska," $5 ea. Nebraska Rural Development
Commission, 402-471-2698.
"Biological Control of Insects and Mites," NCR Pub. 481, $11. U.
of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0918.
"Who Owns America's Farmland?" free. Customer Services Div., U.S.
Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census, Washington, DC 20233-0001.
"The Real Dirt" is based on interviews with 60 farmers in eight
states, and offers first-hand knowledge on biological, cultural,
mechanical and chemical tools for modern organic and low-input
farmers, $13.95. Sustainable Agriculture Publications, Hills
Bldg., U. of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0082, 802-656-0471.
"Agronomic, Economic, and Ecological Relationships in Alternative
(Organic), Conventional, and Reduced-till Farming Systems," free.
Ag Bulletin Room, Lincoln Music Hall, Rm 112, South Dakota State
U., Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-5628.
"Farming and Clean Water," 116-page community action guide, $15.
The Minnesota Project, 1885 University Ave. W, #315, St. Paul,
MN, 612-645-6159.
"Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution: Toward a Consensus
Approach to Its Abatement." American Farmland Trust, 1920 N St.,
NW, #400, Washington, DC 20036, 202-659-5170.
"Soil and Water Quality: An Agenda for Agriculture," report by
National Research Council. Call Carla Carlson, Board on
Agriculture, 202-334-2252.
Information on earthworms--curriculum materials, video, facts
brochure, list of journal articles. Contact Leopold Center, 126
Soil Tilth Bldg, Iowa State U., Ames, IA 50011-3120, 515-294-
3711. (See Leopold Center's Winter 1993 newsletter for earthworm
article).
"Agrarian Advocate," bi-monthly focuses on local self-reliance,
sustainable ag, organic farming and CSAs. Community Alliance
with Family Farmers, PO Box 464, Davis, CA 95617.
"The Socioeconomics of Sustainable Agriculture: An Annotated
Bibliography," Gary Boreham et al. 1992, Garland Publishing,
Inc., New York. Has about 50 entries on cropping, so it's
broader than title suggests.
"Food for the Future," edited by Patricia Allen with 14
contributing authors. 1993. John Wiley & Sons.