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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
Inter-Cropping
Landscape Ecology
Natural Resource Conservation
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
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.