Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009 - (Page 12)

Sustainable Agriculture As the world-wide population and corresponding demands on limited natural resources continue to grow, the necessity for identifying and implementing sustainable agricultural practices that promote both economic and environmental stability becomes increasingly critical. These demands require new production approaches that can adequately provide for the needs of today’s world population, without sacrificing the needs of future generations Imagine an agricultural economy that provides a steady source of revenue generation for farm producers while promoting new local, community-based, economic development and multi-functional agri-based industrial growth opportunities: I that acts to restore the ecological integrity of site and regional land and water resources, including the re-development of organic-rich topsoil; I that isn’t weather dependent on an annual basis; I that involves a production process which effectively reduces time and input costs; I that results in the reduction or elimination of chronic growing season flooding, soil erosion, and sedimentation on a site, as well as at a regional watershed basis; I that protects and enhances terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat; I that improves regional water quality and replenishes depleted groundwater reserves; I that enhances regional air quality; I that provides for long-term revenue generation potential without the creation of collateral economic or environmental costs to society. We believe that this is not only possible, but imperative, and that the process will be market driven and economically sustainable without long-term subsidies. Today there are numerous examples of both newly developing, as well as age-old technologies and practices that can provide significant economic and environmental benefits to individual farmers and society as a whole. Many of these applications are already in practice in various 12 March 2009 Sustainable Land Development Today forms throughout North America and abroad. In the upper Midwest, however, such practices will rely on the creation of new markets and industries based on locally grown, native-grassland bio-mass. The uses for locally adapted prairie biomass are varied and may include, but are not limited to, economically and environmentally sustainable ethanol fuel and energy production; and fiber production for paper, cardboard, insulation, rubber, plastic, cloth, and construction products. A fundamental goal of this approach is to identify a more suitable balance between corn and soybean production, integrated with grassland restoration and associated sustainable-production practices. In addition to the education of agricultural producers, decision-makers, and the general public about the economic and ecological liabilities associated with conventional farming practices, it is critical to develop and promote market-driven solutions that can self perpetuate and do not owe their ongoing existence to constant federal funding. The restoration of regional grassland systems for grazing, biomass, and seed production can generate multiple collateral agribusiness and economic development opportunities. Rotational grazing of cattle, bison, and elk to provide a healthy source of local meat production will be an important part of the equation. Another critical component will include the incorporation of local, sustainably grown and harvested fruit and vegetable production, which has proven to generate income on a per acre basis well beyond anything achieved in row-crop agriculture. New local industries will develop to produce and distribute the products that are generated including meat packing, produce, and paper and fiber production facilities. As with corn and soybeans, warm-season native grassland production will result in multiple revenue generation opportunities including local-ecotype seed production and sales, revenue for carbon credits, and a variety of useful bi-products, such as vanilla extract for human consumption. Other potential offshoots relate to opportunities for regional wildlife and planthabitat restoration, and the potential direct relationships to increased tourism. Imagine the interest that would be generated by traveling through hundreds of square miles of restored Midwest prairie and woodland systems. Wildlife species that are rarely seen today would likely return in abundance, and the opportunity to view herds of bison and elk would be compelling. With increased tourism comes the need for lodging, restaurants, and entertainment, to name a few. There are also tremendous opportunities for local education and outreach. Gaining an increased understanding of the unique cultural and natural heritage of where we live is critical to the long-term sociological, economic, and ecological well-being all of our citizens. New Policies and Programs A number of local, regional, state, and federal authorities throughout North America and other regions of the globe have recently enacted, or are considering, updated land-use and development codes and ordinances that promote the reduction of surface water runoff and on-site infiltration. Cities, for instance, have enacted Storm Water Utility taxation programs that tax new construction, as well as existing land uses, based in large part on the amount of impervious cover that exists within each site. Imagine the advances that could be made in this arena if we spent one-tenth of the time, energy, creativity, and money focused on the identification and implementation of practices designed to treat water as a resource rather than a waste product. Flooding, water-quality degradation, habitat disruption, aquifer depletion, loss of bio-diversity, and most other chronic problems associated with the mismanagement of water could be significantly reduced or eliminated with the incorporation of truly creative design and implementation solutions. Although the magnitude of the problem may appear overwhelming, it is our belief, and our hope that education and understanding will foster change at a pace far more rapid than we may be currently able to grasp. SLDT About the author: James Patchett, ASLA, LEED AP, is the founder and president of Conservation Design Forum, based in Elmhurst, Ill. He can be reached at JPatchett@cdfinc.com.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009

Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009 Contents Our Voice: Energy Savings Accounts Mining the Sewers for On-site Reuse Modern Flood Disasters The Financial Challenge of Leed® Technology: Opportunities Exist to Buy in Now SLDI In Focus: A Look Inside Calendar of Events Energy: Solar Power on Rails Industry News Products & Services The Bottom Line: Green Lending – Class G Advertiser Index Editorial Board SLDT Resources Last Word: Not All Gloom & Doom

Sustainable Land Development Today - March 2009

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