Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Paradigm Shift in Agriculture for Sustainable Rural Development

Photo Credit: Stanford Produce

Module Readings1. Beus, C.E. and Dunlap, R.E. 1990. Conventional versus Alternative Agriculture: The

Paradigmatic Roots for the Debate. Rural Sociology, 55: 590-616. http://www.soc.iastate.edu/class/325/beus.pdf

2. Ikerd, John E. 1998. Sustainable Development as a Rural Economic Development Strategy: http://web.missouri.edu/~ikerdj/papers/sa-cdst.htm

3. Stinner, D H, Paoletti, M G and Stinner, B R (1989). In search of traditional farm wisdom for a more sustainable agriculture: a study of Amish farming and society. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 27: 77-90.

4. Anderson, Molly D. 2008.  Sustainable agriculture and rural development in the United States:  Progress and priorities.  Supplement to Non-governmental Organization Major Group Paper for the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)-16, 5-16 May 2008. Retrieved from http://www.foodsystems-integrity.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/US_NGO_Supplement.2103954.pdf

5. McFadden, Steven. 2003. History of Community Supported Agriculture Part 1 and 2: http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/features/0104/csa-history/part1.shtml and http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/features/0204/csa2/part2.shtml

6. Biofueling Rural Development: Making the case for linking biofuel production to rural revitalization: http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publications/PB_biofuels.pdfSeminar in Rural Sustainability:

Sustainable Agriculture

Module Outline

History of Agriculture

Current Agriculture Structure

Paradigm Shift: Conventional to Sustainable

Alternative Agriculture Development: Biofuels

Discussion/Conclusions

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Module Objectives1. Understand historical trends in rural agriculture

2. Understand paradigm shift from conventional to sustainable agriculture in a rural community setting

3. Illustrate advantages/constraints for shift in North America

4. Understand driving forces in adaptation of alternative agricultural strategies for rural development

5. Question the viability of sustainable agriculture in rural development?

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

History of Agriculture in Rural Communities

Please view the following videos

1. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oieJ8X7nCwo

2. www.youtube.com/user/marketnewsgroup#p/u/1/txw_nUXiRuY

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Photo Credit: University of Manitoba Archives

U.S. Agricultural Trends

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Increased use of

machines

Expensive Inputs •Not all farmers

could/would invest

Increased specialization

Larger quantities of

a limited number of products

Fewer farms

needed to meet the

same demand

Structural change in agriculture sector to

Industrialized Agriculture

The Industrialized Agriculture in the U.S.A

“The fundamental purpose of industrialization is to enhance productivity and economic efficiency by making it possible to produce a greater value of output from a given amount of input”.

Agriculture became more mechanized, which allowing farmers to consolidate more land, labor, and capital under their control.

Industrialization has brought tremendous economic benefits by reducing cost and increasing the availability of food, it has done so by imposing significant costs on nature and society through environmental degradation and growing social inequity.

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Industrialization Path

Development of food processors, such as meat

packing, which is controlled by large

corporations

Development of food retailers, such as Wal-

Mart.

Development of Fast Food restaurants, such

as McDonalds and KFC

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Mechanization

Horses and Mules Machines

Biological and Chemical

Sciences

Improved Management

Practices

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Mechanization led to:• Decline of land devoted to oats and a rise in soybean acreage• Corn is now produced on more area than any other crop in the U.S.• Double cross hybrid seed varieties that made it more resistant to pests

and diseases Increased agricultural production due to:

• Technology• Animal Husbandry• Cropping Practices

People & Agriculture

Farm labor requirements declined due to:– Mechanization– Economic conditions– The end of western expansion of agriculture

Demands changed– Transition from home-grown fruits, vegetables,

oats, and wheat to purchased, canned, frozen, and instant food products

Eventually food demand stopped increasing with income leaving farmers and ranchers to depend on export markets to sell excess production

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Trends Shaping the Future of Agriculture

“Peak oil” Agriculture industry relies on cheap and accessible

energy Oil is hard to extract Industrialized agriculture era will come to the end, if

the current practice is continued

Current practice should be changed, such as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)

New trends are needed, such as farming with the ecosystem

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Example of current practice: Concentrated Animal Feeding

Operations (CAFO)

CAFO represent the pinnacle of industrial agriculture.

CAFOs specialize in one species of livestock or poultry.

CAFOs are not farms; they are industrial production systems.

Negative impacts associated with CAFO, such as human health risks, noxious odors and pollution

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

From Traditional to GMO’s

Please watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbkLM6tr-nI

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable AgricultureSeminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

A New Shift:Conventional to Sustainable

Many farmers and consumers have become increasingly dissatisfied with the industrial agricultural system, citing:

- damage to the environment - reduced quality of food - increased obesity and disease - contaminated food - reduced food security

The following clips from Food Inc. illustrate these concerns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69gT9LBCMxg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzWDEI5UyMg&feature=related

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Alternative Food SystemsRationale:

Shorten supply chainsShift to local and democratic governanceSmaller scale environmental impactsEquality and economic security for farm workers and farmersHumane treatment of animalsPriority for community health and vitality

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Examples:• Organic• Community Supported Agriculture• Permaculture• Rotational Crops

Organic

Organic agriculture is a way to farm and a food system

Principles:

Locally available resources

Recycling of nutrients and organic matter

Use of diversity and agro-ecological methods to improve total farm output and soil fertility

(International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems)

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

grassfedHorm

one free

GMO

freeFair

trade

Community Supported Agriculture

Introduced in the U.S. in the mid-1980s

Community interested in safe food and economic partnerships to ensure stable markets for agricultural products (USDA)

Sharing risks/benefits and providing mutual support

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Photo credit: USDA

Permaculture“Permaculture is a design system whereby

we find ways of living to allow for permanent cultures to exist. Where all humans can live abundantly well while leaving the planet in better condition then whence we found it.” – Bill Wilson, Midwest Permaculture

Please view the following introduction to permaculture:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGEwhBNf8TQ&feature=related

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Photo Credit: Holocene Design

Rotational Crops

Crop rotation preserves soil’s nutritional integrity and protects against disease and insect infestation. Please view the following short description:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwp1lY2OlK0&feature=related

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Photo Credit: Self-Sufficient UK

Building Resilience

Please read the following article illustrating the link of resilience and community knowledge in agriculture as presented in a case study of an Amish community:

Stiner, D.H., Paoletti, M.G. and Stinner, B.R., 1989. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 27, pp. 77–90. (Found on readings slide)

Please read the following excerpt…

slow food.pdf

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Counter Approach for Sustainable Rural Development and Agriculture:

Biofuels

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Please watch this video

Photo Credit: Science News Washington

ConclusionsAgriculture has evolved from local family farms to large-scale monocultures

The current framework of agriculture is highly mechanized and industrialized

Alternative food systems provide opportunities for community and ecosystems resilience

Alternative food systems (i.e.: permaculture, organic, CSA, rotational crops) has seen an increase in adoption for rural and community development

Biofuels is another alternative to agriculture and rural development but uncertainty in policy implications currently exist

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Discussion Questions: Viable or No?

1. In your opinion, what is sustainable agriculture?

2. Can sustainable agriculture be a viable alternative for rural communities?

3. What are the trends in agriculture in your country/communities?

4. What are the limitations to implementing alternative food systems in rural communities?

5. Is biofuels an appropriate alternative for “sustainable” development?

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture

Additional Resources1. Petrini, Carlo. Short excerpt from Slow Food Nation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECzTRG7tjV0 and book Slow Food Nation: Why Our Food Should Be Good, Clean and Fair

2. Paul Fieldhouse . 1996. Community Shared Agriculture. Agriculture and Human Values 13 (3) 43-47 http://www.springerlink.com/content/p070658054074768/fulltext.pdf

3. Biofuels: A major rural economic development opportunity: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bbb.104/pdf

4. Block, Ben (2008) “International Commission Calles for ‘Paradigm Shift’ in Agriculture” Worldwatch Institute.

5. Pulido, J.S., and G. Bocco. (2003) “The traditional farming system of a Mexican indigenous community: the case of Nuevo San Juan Paranagricutiro, Michoacan, Mexico.” Geoderma 11: 249-265.

6. Deborah Stiles, Greg Cameron, (2009) "Changing paradigms?: Rural communities, agriculture, and corporate and civic models of development in Atlantic Canada", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 3 Iss: 4, pp.341 – 354

7. Ikerd, John E. (2010) “Reclaiming Rural America; Sustainable Community Development” presentation for Town Hall Meeting on Local Sustainable Community Development, Sioux City, IA.

8. United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library Publications Webpage, Community Supported Agriculture page http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml

9. International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems (ICROFS) http://www.icrofs.org/Pages/News_and_events/index.html

10. Local Harvest: www.localharvest.org/csa/

11. Organic Agriculture: UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Working Group on Organic Agriculture . 2003. ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/y4587e/y4587e.pdf

Seminar in Rural Sustainability: Sustainable Agriculture