Proposal for the High Desert International Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Lemhi Montana

 

 

Vision

 

We suggest that the vision for the Lemhi Ranch be to use the land and water resources available to establish the High Desert International Center for Sustainable Agriculture. This Center would have indoor and outdoor classrooms to provide training and education on sustainable agriculture and local food systems. The Center would also provide on-site housing for students and visiting faculty. The training and education received at the Center would be hands-on. Students would learn sustainable agriculture techniques and technology that works and that could be replicated in other areas of the United States and even other countries. Besides traditional seminar, workshop, and classroom training, this Center would offer sustainable agriculture internships and apprenticeships.

 

Activities at the Center

 

Based on the land and water resources available at Lemhi Ranch some of the educational and training activities should include the following:

*     Greenhouses by the hot water and used for organic and hydroponic food production

*     Warm water (catfish, tilapia) aquaculture in greenhouses or in ponds

*     Cold water (trout, carp) aquaculture using streams and ponds

*     Combination of aquaculture and greenhouse food production (nutrient recycling)

*     Testing of green manure crops for organic production

*     Rotational grazing and organic beef production

*     Watershed management including mapping with GPS

*     Organic agriculture (including aquaculture)

*     Small acreage agriculture

*     Agricultural tourism (trail rides, fee fishing, harvesting activities etc.)

*     Creation of a community food system to provide food for Ketchum/Hailey area

*     Bio-control of weeds

*     Alternative crops for high desert areas

*     Landscape ecology

*     Integrated pest management

*     Low input irrigation methods

*     Value added agriculture for economic sustainability

*     Small-scale (organic) livestock production

 

Of course, on-going research into the successful methods of sustainable agriculture would need to be the number one activity at the Center.

 

Rationale

 

Why focus on sustainable agriculture? The short answer is that we are losing agriculture. Many organizations are focusing their efforts on sustainable agriculture and food systems. These organizations include the Kellogg Foundation, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and some of the forward thinking land-grant colleges. Even the U.S. Congress has gone so far as to define sustainable agriculture.

 

To help catch the vision of sustainable agriculture and to understand the rationale, I offer a brief philosophy of sustainable agriculture, a definition of sustainable agriculture and some of the key words associated with sustainable agriculture.

Philosophy of Sustainable Agriculture

 

Agriculture and the food system are vitally important to the local community, the state and the nation. They are key contributors to the economic health and viability of the nation, state and its local communities supplying its citizens with an abundant, fresh, and nutritious supply of food. Agriculture is a valued part of rural landscape of many states and a centerpiece of the fabric of many of the rural communities.

 

Sustainable agriculture programs ensure the long-term sustainability and vitality of an agriculture and food system that will sustain the economic viability of farms as well as food processing, marketing, and distribution businesses. Sustainable agriculture programs enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base; ensure that the food and fiber needs of its citizens are met; strengthen communities; and enhance the quality of life of farm and rural people.

 

Definition Of Sustainable Agriculture

 

As defined by Congress, sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having 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 resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls

*     Sustain the economic viability of farm operations

*     Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole

 

Key Words Associated with Sustainable Agriculture

 

Some of the key words associated with sustainable agriculture include but are not limited to the following:


Agro-ecology

Biodynamic

Bio-intensive

Community Food Systems

Composting

Conservation Tillage

Cover Crops

Direct Marketing

Food Safety

Food Security

Food Systems

Green Manure Crops

Integrated Pest Management

Inter-Cropping

Landscape Ecology

Natural Resource Conservation

Non-Timber Forest Products

Nutrient Cycling

Nutrition

On-Farm Education

Organic Agriculture

Rotational Cropping

Rural Economic Development

Rural Sociology

Small Farms

Small-Acreage Agriculture

Soil Health

Value-Added Agricultural Products

Waste Management

Water Resource Management


 

 

Summary

 

Sustainable agriculture and food systems characterize the future of agriculture. This proposal paints the picture of how a High Desert International Center could be a part of that future using the extensive land and water resources on the Lemhi Ranch. Obviously, these ideas need extensive explanation, planning, and development to succeed.