Sustainable Agriculture

I attended a breakfast for agricultural leaders this morning at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL.  The program was sponsored by their Green Initiatives Sustainability Program.  I was mildly surprised that I knew so many of the participants. 

The program was an open discussion on sustainable agriculture issues and how the college can support sustainable agriculture within their sphere of influence.  To their credit they did not get into any discussion to speak of to define sustainability.  It was interesting that there were no organic farmers in the group.  L&CC would like to provide some kind of education program for farmers that relate to sustainability.  There was no clear direction from the group as to what programs might attract and audience.  I would like feedback from my readers if possible on that issue.

Some of the things that came up in the conversation were:

• Nutrient Management
• Regulatory Pressures
• Cost of Implementing "Sustainable" Initiatives
• Economic Issues
•  Social Media Usage
• Precision Agriculture
• Educating the Public
• Promotion of Locally Grown Products
• 4R's Nutrient Management initiatives
• Nitrogen Management
• Soil Drainage
• Why do we grow so much corn in Illinois (potential future blog)
• Ag in the Classroom
• Cellulistic Ethanol
• Other biofuels
• Unforeseen Consequences
• Need to Educate Politicians

I am looking forward to seeing where this program goes.  If the college can stick with offering solid information and steering away from telling farmers what to do it has potential.