The Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems (CSAS) in the
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) 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. Electronic versions of the CSAS
bimonthly newsletter are sent to SANET, PENPages, and the
internal IANRNEWS 10-14 days before those on our mailing list
receive their hard copy. They are also available along with other
sustainable ag information on the gopher: IANRVM.UNL.EDU.
(Note: The electronic version is not sent to individual e-mail
addresses.) To be added to the "hard copy" newsletter mailing
list, or for questions or comments, contact the newsletter
editor, Pam Murray, Coordinator, Center for Sustainable
Agricultural Systems, 221 Keim Hall, University of Nebraska,
Lincoln, NE 68583-0949, 402-472-2056, fax -4104, e-mail:
csas001@unlvm.unl.edu.
* * *
CONTENTS:
EVERYONE A TEACHER, EVERYONE A LEARNER
CSAS HOSTS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE CENTER DIRECTORS IN LINCOLN
AUGUST 17 SUSTAINABLE AG TOUR TO HIGHLIGHT INTEGRATED FARM
BURT SMITH TO VISIT GRAZIERS
"WASHINGTON POST" COLUMNIST SAYS GRASS-ROOTS ORGANIZATIONS NOW FOCUSING
ON ENVIRONMENT
CONAGRA GRANT FOR HABITAT CONSERVATION/SUSTAINABLE AG PROJECT
SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT
LEOPOLD CENTER PROGRESS REPORT AVAILABLE
ENVIROTHON HELPS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
NEW NEWSLETTER FOR ORGANIC FARMERS
NEW LISTSERV ON SUSTAINABLE AG EDUCATION
CSAS 1994 ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE
NEW STUDY ON INDUSTRIALIZATION OF AGRICULTURE
LINDBERGH FOUNDATION PROPOSALS DUE JUNE 13
INTEREST IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE INCREASING
NEW COURSE: AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF PCSD SUSTAINABLE AG TASK FORCE
RESOURCES
DID YOU KNOW...
COMING EVENTS
EVERYONE A TEACHER, EVERYONE A LEARNER
The first Train-the-Trainer workshops for the North Central Region
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program were held
in mid-March and early April. The goal of the workshops is to prepare a
cadre of teachers to conduct innovative training in their own states for
extension educators and other agricultural professionals.
The theme, "Everyone a Teacher, Everyone a Trainer," reflects the
participatory nature of the workshops. Conventional roles of specialist
and client were minimized. In fact, many of the presenters were members
of state teams. Dr. Jerry DeWitt, Iowa State University, reminded the
group that sustainable agriculture training must be different in content
and method from present programs, and concentrate on economic,
environmental and social dimensions of agriculture.
The Lied Conference Center Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City was the
site for the March 13-15 workshop attended by 51 people from six states.
We enjoyed the orchards and environmentally friendly facilities that
featured recycling, wood-powered heating and cooling, and carpets made
from plastic pop bottles. Sixty-six people from seven states attended
the Indiana workshop held at Turkey Run State Park April 3-5. State
teams at both sites had farmers and representatives from Extension,
other federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
"Everyone a Teacher, Everyone a Learner" explored economic, social
and environmental aspects of sustainable agriculture using different
learning methods. For example, Dr. John Ikerd, University of Missouri,
discussed the economics of sustainable agriculture systems. In the
evening, the group reinforced economic concepts and marketing skills by
playing the wagon train game. Dr. Helene Murray, Minnesota Institute of
Sustainable Agriculture, gave an overview of whole farm case studies and
then had small groups design questions for the on-farm tour. Mr. Jim
Bender, a grain and livestock farmer near Weeping Water, Neb., led a
discussion on the merits and limitations of organic production systems.
Participants received a 350-page reference notebook containing
resources identified by workshop presenters and leaders in education. We
will make a condensed version available to other educators in the near
future.
"I'm familiar with the production practices of sustainable
agriculture, but this was my first exposure to economic and social
issues," said an Indiana specialist. "I was unconvinced about the need
for a regional plan," exclaimed a Minnesota ag economist, "but this
approach worked!" "This was the first time I'd heard a farmer listening
session, and it's a really powerful tool." said a Minnesota educator.
For more information about the workshops or notebook, contact Heidi
Carter in the CSAS office. Submitted by Heidi Carter
CSAS HOSTS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE CENTER DIRECTORS IN LINCOLN
What is sustainable agriculture? In spite of more than a decade of
presentations, journal articles, books, and university centers dedicated
to this effort, there is still a strong uncertainty in much of the
agricultural community about what this is. Center directors from 15
states grappled with this question at a mid-February workshop in
Lincoln. They shared successes and challenges, and explored ways to
communicate with the agricultural sector about how their programs
contribute to the future. Among the other challenges faced by Centers
are how to sustain funding, how to catalyze involvement from a wider
range of faculty and cooperators, and how to move the sustainable
agriculture agenda into the mainstream.
One source of confusion is that many people still relate
sustainable agriculture exclusively with organic farming techniques.
When programs and educational activities are described in terms of
saving resources, land stewardship, and profitability, there is stronger
support from the traditional ag community. Tillage, nutrient cycling,
rotational grazing, and reduced herbicide alternatives are popular
topics that cause little concern from clients. When programs enter the
broader economic and social arena, there can be controversy about the
role of the universities and centers in less traditional areas.
Directors were convinced that our centers need to address larger issues
such as the structure of agriculture, since no one else in the land
grant system is likely to do this.
Centers are helping secure grant funding for research, for
catalyzing the organization of new courses, and for bringing stewardship
and resource issues more directly into the Extension agenda. The short-
term nature of most decision making is a general concern, as well as
funding to assure that programs can continue. The issue of budgets for
all programs of the land grant system is a major one, and we need to
explore closer links with consumers, with environmental groups, and with
urban clients if we are to fund broad support in the future. A complete
report of the meeting is available from CSAS, or via the gopher path:
IANRVM.UNL.EDU (select IANR Information, Sustainable Ag, Center
Director Meeting Report). Submitted by Charles Francis
AUGUST 17 SUSTAINABLE AG TOUR TO HIGHLIGHT INTEGRATED FARM
Mark your calendars for the 1995 Sustainable Agriculture Tour. The
August 17 event will begin at the new Agricultural Research and
Development Center headquarters building, and will proceed to several
research/demonstration sites on the Integrated Farm. After lunch the
tour will visit local farms. Watch for details in the May-June CSAS
newsletter.
BURT SMITH TO VISIT GRAZIERS
Burt Smith, author of the book "Intensive Grazing Management," will
cross the country on a motorcycle this summer. He would like to visit
people with at least three years' experience with intensive grazing.
Coordinating his Nebraska tour (July 19-22) are extension educators
Terry Gompert (402-288-4224) and Bob Scriven (308-236-1235); contact
them if interested. Non-Nebraskans can contact Burt directly at Box
1944, Kamuela, HI 96743, or fax 808-883-0001.
"WASHINGTON POST" COLUMNIST SAYS GRASS-ROOTS ORGANIZATIONS NOW FOCUSING
ON ENVIRONMENT
At a lecture on the UNL campus April 6, Jessica Tuchman Mathews
said the current lack of global conflict has resulted in grass-roots
organizations turning their attention to environmental issues. She said
the top global environmental concerns are ozone loss, deforestation,
greenhouse warming, and loss of biodiversity through species extinction;
top regional concerns are water pollution and shortages and air
pollution. She identified the top global priority as agreement on
whether trade measures could be used to protect the global environment.
Mathews said the importance and influence of non-governmental orga-
nizations has steadily increased while that of national governments has
decreased. She attributes this shift in part to the telecommunications
and media revolution.
CONAGRA GRANT FOR HABITAT CONSERVATION/SUSTAINABLE AG PROJECT
The ConAgra Foundation based in Omaha, Neb. has awarded a $262,500
grant to The Nature Conservancy and the University of Nebraska Institute
of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). This grant, which augments
a habitat effort and sustainable agriculture demonstration project in
the Central Platte Valley funded last year by the Nebraska Environmental
Trust, will help implement a five-year agricultural demonstration (to
begin this spring) on 174 acres of farm land that lies within a major
roost site for Sandhill cranes on the Platte River. Conservancy and IANR
scientists, working with the land's leaseholder, will formulate and
monitor agricultural procedures that are environmentally sensitive and
economically viable. IANR faculty currently involved with the project
are Roger Selley (coordinator), Roger Elmore, Richard Ferguson, Dennis
Jelinski, Fred Roeth and Bob Wright.
SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT
Nancy Cole, Director of Public Outreach for the Union of Concerned
Scientists, Washington, DC, will present a seminar titled "Current
Projects and Prospects in Biopower from Agriculture" on Friday, April
21, 3:30-4:30 in the East Campus Union. The seminar will be preceded by
a reception beginning at 3:00. Co-sponsors are the CSAS and the Center
for Grassland Studies.
LEOPOLD CENTER PROGRESS REPORT AVAILABLE
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has issued a
February 1995 progress report containing summaries of current issue team
activities and completed competitive grant projects. The following is a
table of contents. Contact the CSAS office to obtain a copy of any
specific portion of the report. See Resources to order entire report.
Research issue team reports:
- Long-term holistic study of two Iowa watersheds;
- High-intensity, year-round grazing;
- Potential economic, environmental benefits of narrow strip
intercropping;
- Studies of social, economic, and policy factors affecting farming
practices and technology in Iowa;
- Integrated pest management for alfalfa;
- Managing livestock manure for profitability and water quality
protection.
Competitive grant reports:
- Supporting Leopold Center research through on-farm trials and
demonstrations;
- Integrating environmental awareness and sustainability issues in a
beginning agronomy course;
- Agriculture's impact on the living soil--development of a
curriculum;
- Alternatives for implementation of integrated crop management
programs in local agricultural input firms;
- Ramifications of excessive use of soybean resistance to the soybean
cyst nematode, "Heterodera glycines;"
- Use of planting date to avoid injury from soybean insect pests;
- Calculation of specific economic thresholds for the commercially
available yellow sticky traps used for adult corn rootworm
monitoring;
- Influence of native roadside plants on biological control of Iowa
crop pests;
- Evaluation of a biological control agent for musk thistle;
- Plant pathogens as biological agents for the control of weeds;
- Interactions of VAM fungi, pesticides, and crops;
- Control of soil-borne pathogens with strategic use of animal
manures;
- Biomass production and ethanol potential from sweet sorghum;
- Wildlife use of and productivity in diverted cropland;
- Composting for environmentally sound management;
- GIS-based environmental and economic analysis of integrated crop-
livestock production systems in southern Iowa.
ENVIROTHON HELPS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is one of eight
organizations cooperating with the Nebraska Association of Resources
Districts on the Envirothon program. Each year several regional Nebraska
Envirothons are held across the state. The winning five-member team from
each regional competition is invited to represent their region at the
state competition. The state champions then represent Nebraska at the
National Envirothon Competition. Students are tested on their knowledge
of soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range, current environmental
issues such as nonpoint source pollution, and one area of national
interest such as natural resource policy/land use. Teams from 14 schools
will participate in the state contest May 6, with the winners advancing
to the week-long national competition in August. For more information,
call the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, 402-474-3383.
NEW NEWSLETTER FOR ORGANIC FARMERS
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has published its
first issue of "Information Bulletin." According to the newsletter, it
is designed primarily for the practicing organic farmer. It's main focus
is sharing results of OFRF-funded projects, but will also list resources
and highlight other important farming research, as well as publish
reader comments and questions on farming methods in its Farmers'
Exchange column. It will also track pertinent regulatory issues and
announce events of interest to organic farmers. At this time the
newsletter is available at no charge. (See resources to order.)
NEW LISTSERV ON SUSTAINABLE AG EDUCATION
The Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
announces a new listserv that provides a focus on educational
strategies, methods and curriculum for sustainable agriculture and
sustainable food systems. Topics include: participatory education and
research; use of field days and focus groups; curriculum in sustainable
ag programs in higher education; use of 'school farms' by liberal arts,
alternative and land grant colleges; discussion of ways to teach
integration and to teach in interdisciplinary ways; questions of values
and ethics in education for sustainability. To subscribe, send e-mail
message to: <listproc@cornell.edu> with a blank subject line. In the
body of the message type: <subscribe saed-share-l> <your e-mail address>
<your name>. Contacts: Nancy Grudens Schuck (ng13@cornell.edu) or Joshua
Slotnick (jhs8@cornell.edu).
[Editor's note: For information about the Consortium or to receive
its newsletter, send e-mail to Elizabeth Bird, csare@macc.wisc.edu.]
CSAS 1994 ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE
The CSAS has published a four-page 1994 Annual Report that
summarizes activities discussed in greater detail in 1994 CSAS
newsletters. Copies are being mailed to Nebraska Extension personnel who
maintain the Sustainable Ag Resource Notebooks. The report, along with
other CSAS reports and newsletters, is available via gopher:
IANR.UNL.EDU (select IANR Information, then Sustainable Ag).
NEW STUDY ON INDUSTRIALIZATION OF AGRICULTURE
The Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture has launched a
new study of the industrialization of American agriculture and the
implications of current structural trends for agricultural
sustainability. Working on the study is William Heffernan, department
chair and professor of rural sociology at the University of Missouri-
Columbia. Dr. Heffernan is currently a visiting scholar at the Wallace
Institute. For more information contact the Wallace Institute, 301-441-
8777.
LINDBERGH FOUNDATION PROPOSALS DUE JUNE 13
Each year the Lindbergh Foundation awards 9-10 grants in amounts up
to $10,580 (the cost of the "Spirit of St. Louis" in 1927) for projects
that promote a better balance between the advance of technology and
preservation of the human/natural environment. Categories of interest to
newsletter readers are Agriculture and Conservation of Natural
Resources. While applicants may or may not be affiliated with
institutions or organizations, grants are awarded to individuals.
Contact the CSAS office for an application packet.
INTEREST IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE INCREASING
A record-setting 800 participants from 60 countries attended the
10th International Scientific Conference of IFOAM (International
Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) in New Zealand in December.
This was a clear indication that organic farming is on its way out of
marginal, niche production not only in northern industrialized
countries, but also in the southern hemisphere. Conference presentations
can be ordered according to the major themes and topics. For details
contact the Center for Continuing Education, PO Box 84, Lincoln
University, New Zealand, fax: +64-3-325-3840. For information on the
11th conference in 1996, e-mail: ifoam96@login.dknet.dk.
NEW COURSE: AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
The above course will be offered this fall by the UNL Department of
Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife for three hours credit. It will meet
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-5:15. Emphasis will be on the ecological
and economic benefits of trees and shrubs in the agricultural landscape;
topics will include windbreaks and shelterbelts, intercropping systems,
silvopastoral systems, riparian systems, woodlot management, and
international systems. Contact Jim Brandle, 402-472-6626.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF PCSD SUSTAINABLE AG TASK FORCE
The Sustainable Agriculture Task Force of the President's Council
on Sustainable Development is making recommendations in the following
areas based on input at several forums and from many agencies and
groups:
- expanding agricultural markets;
- investing in rural infrastructure;
- focusing on equity and support (including increasing flexibility in
commodity programs);
- preserving prime farmland;
- food safety;
- integrating farming approaches;
- redirecting agricultural research;
- intellectual property rights.
For details and/or to provide input, contact Marc Safley with the
USDA-NRCS, e-mail: a16msafley@attmail.com. The PCSD will issue a final
report this summer.
RESOURCES
Rural Nebraska reports: "State of Rural Nebraska, 1994 Report;" "Top 100
Nebraska Rural Development Initiatives for 1994;" "Rural Nebraska's
Third Century Initiatives Report;" "1994 Rural Development Commission
Annual Report." Nebraskans can obtain single copies by contacting the
Nebraska Rural Development Commission, 402-471-2698; cost is $5 each to
non-Nebraskans.
"Leopold Center Progress Report," Vol. 4. Leopold Center, 126 Soil Tilth
Bldg., Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3120, 515-294-3711.
"Information Bulletin," newsletter of the Organic Farming Research
Foundation, PO Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 408-426-6606.
"Planting the Future: Developing an Agriculture that Sustains Land and
Community," edited by Elizabeth Bird, Gordon Bultena and John Gardner,
$14.95 (+ $2.50 s&h), Iowa State University Press, 2121 South State
Ave., Ames, IA 50014, 1-800-862-6657.
"Community Supported Agriculture Conference," proceedings from a
December 1993 conference, includes bibliography and resource guide, $8,
UC Small Farm Center, U. of California, Davis, CA 95616.
Two companion reports from Wallace Institute: "Lean, Mean and
Green...Designing Farm Support Programs in a New Era" provides an
overview of the concept of green payments to farmers, delineates the
various critical decisions that must be made in designing a green
support program, and explores the implications of and tradeoffs involved
in making those decisions, $7.50; "Designing Green Support Programs" is
an edited compilation of five papers by university, government and
organization policy analysts that address critical decisions that must
be made in designing a green support program, $10. Order from: The Henry
A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture, Suite 117, 9200
Edmonston Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1551, 301-441-8777.
"Best Management Practices for Wheat: A Guide to Profitable and
Environmentally Sound Production" is an operating manual put out by the
National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation, $5 (plus $2.62 s+h),
NAWG, 415 2nd St. NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002, 202-547-7800.
(Note: Copies were mailed to Extension personnel in Nebraska;
specialists in that state should call 472-2966 to request a single
copy.)
"Agenda 21: An Easy Reference to the Specific Recommendations on Women,
1994" is an easy reference for those seeking to identify the
recommendations in Agenda 21 that specifically mention women. United
Nations Development Fund for Women, 304 East 45th Street, 6th Floor, New
York, NY 10017; 212-906-6400.
"The Small Commercial Garden (How to Make $10,000 in Your Backyard),"
$20.90, PC-Services, PO Box 7294, Bismark, ND 58507-7294, 1-800-871-
4296.
"1995 Proceedings: New York State Vegetable Conference," $14, Jean
Warholic, NY State Veg. Growers Assoc., PO Box 4256, Ithaca, NY 14852-
4256, 607-539,7648.
"Putting Small Acreage to Work," proceedings of a 1994 seminar that
contains ideas for alternative enterprises and marketing strategies as
well as bibliography of information concerning small farming operations,
$15 (check payable to Sangamon/Menard Unit), Diane Duewer, PO Box 8467,
Springfield, IL 62791-8467, 217-782-4617.
DID YOU KNOW...
The U.S. has 6% of the world's population but consumes 35% of the
world's energy.
Scientists at a recent meeting of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science commented on the future if current trends
continue, which among other things includes less meat in the American
diet and a U.S. that no longer exports food.
Lincoln, Neb. will be the site of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service Northern Plains Regional office, one of six regional offices in
the U.S.
With the help of an EPA grant, the Nebraska Dept. of Ag. "pesticide
pick-up" program appears to have accomplished its goal of getting
dangerous, outlawed, outdated and adulterated ag poisons off Nebraska
farms by allowing farmers to dispose of old weed and insect killers free
of charge.
There are now approximately 400 Community Supported Agriculture farms in
the U.S.
USDA researchers have found that farmers can conserve soil and water by
harvesting wheat with three feet of stubble left standing. A new combine
header leaves longer stubble than conventional headers by using plastic
teeth on a high-speed rotating cylinder to strip grain off the stem.
The United Nations Environment Programme released nine reports detailing
destruction of the earth's protective ozone shield. Elimination of
methyl bromide, heavily used in ag production, was cited as a critical
control measure.
A study by the National Biological Service indicates habitat amounting
to about half of the area in the U.S. has declined to the point of
endangerment. One definition of the decline was conversion to other uses
such as agriculture.
USDA-ERS says the average American spends about 11% of disposable
personal income on food, 20-30% of which is spent on meat.
There are now more than 100 bioethics programs in the U.S.
In terms of tonnage, the best selling organic products are wheat and
soybeans.
A National Restaurant Association survey shows about 15% of the nation's
15 million college students consider themselves vegetarians; the
motivating force is concern about fat rather than environmental or
animal welfare concerns.
Industrial consumption of grain, particularly corn, is growing at about
8-9% per year; about 1,000 products can be made from refined corn.
A survey by the American Farmland Trust shows 10% of farmers feel ending
farm subsidies would force them off the land, but nearly 40% said it
would have little impact on their business.
The 25th Anniversary of Earth Day is April 22.
Topics at the National Rural Conference April 25 in Iowa will include
job creation, education, business development, infrastructure,
agriculture and the environment; President Clinton and Sec. Glickman are
expected to attend.
Iowa's new Value Added Agricultural Products and Processes Financial
Assistance Program will award $3.65 million in grants and loans to
value-added industries that emphasize innovative products and processes
and renewable fuels and by-products.
COMING EVENTS
Contact CSAS office for more information:
April 21 -- Seminar on Biopower from Agriculture, Lincoln, NE.
May 8-10 -- Planning for a Sustainable Future: The Case of the North
American Great Plains; Lincoln, NE. (See Sep-Oct CSAS newsletter for
details.)
June 11-14 -- Sustainable Aquaculture, '95; Honolulu.
June 13-15 -- A 20-20 Vision for Food, Agriculture and the Environment,
Washington, DC.
June 21-24 -- Who Owns America?: Land and Resource Tenure Issues in a
Changing Environment, Madison, WI.
July 6-8 -- Teaching and Learning with Decision Cases: Promoting Active
Learning in Food and Natural Resource Education, Minneapolis, MN.
July 23-26 -- Fourth North American Agroforestry Conference, Boise, ID.
July 23-29 -- First International Conference on Objective Decision
Support Systems for Land, Water, and Environmental Management; Honolulu.
July 27-30 -- Herbs, Chicago, IL.
Aug. 6-9 -- 50th Annual Meeting, Soil and Water Conservation Society,
Des Moines, IA.
Aug. 17 -- CSAS Sustainable Ag Tour, Mead, NE.
"A development policy without a population program is like mopping the
floor with the water turned on." P. Bukman, Netherlands