By PJ Francis
The Journal-Standard
Posted Feb 16, 2010 @ 05:51 PM
Freeport, Ill. —
Professor John Ikerd spoke to about 70 people Monday at the Highland college student conference center, relating his decision to convert from a “traditional agriculture economist,” to an educator who now espouses sustainable agriculture. “For the first 15 years of my academic career I was a very traditional agricultural economist,” Ikerd said. He told farmers they should get big or get out of farming to be competitive. ...
“The farmers who were having problems were the ones had been doing what the so-called experts, including me, had been telling them to do,” he said. That advice was farming for the bottom line. Ikerd’s observations and experiences caused him to have a change of heart. He now believes sustainable agriculture is the way of the future. “We substituted cheap fossil energy for the past 50 or 60 years for the natural productivity of the land,” Ikerd proclaimed. “If you are going to sustain productivity over the long term you have got to take care of the land, the air, the water. Agriculture must not only produce large quantities of food but food that is healthful and nutritious.” Ikerd believes responsible agriculture must combine stewardship of the land, the value of community and economics working in harmony. ...
Professor John Ikerd spoke to about 70 people Monday at the Highland college student conference center, relating his decision to convert from a “traditional agriculture economist,” to an educator who now espouses sustainable agriculture. “For the first 15 years of my academic career I was a very traditional agricultural economist,” Ikerd said. He told farmers they should get big or get out of farming to be competitive. ...
“The farmers who were having problems were the ones had been doing what the so-called experts, including me, had been telling them to do,” he said. That advice was farming for the bottom line. Ikerd’s observations and experiences caused him to have a change of heart. He now believes sustainable agriculture is the way of the future. “We substituted cheap fossil energy for the past 50 or 60 years for the natural productivity of the land,” Ikerd proclaimed. “If you are going to sustain productivity over the long term you have got to take care of the land, the air, the water. Agriculture must not only produce large quantities of food but food that is healthful and nutritious.” Ikerd believes responsible agriculture must combine stewardship of the land, the value of community and economics working in harmony. ...
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