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^JRSDAV, JANUARY 1. 1981 Ihc in.iil tioi Help The Small Farm Blossom Reprinted from the Minneapolis (Minn.) Star By William C. Norris, Chainnan of the Board of Control Data Preserving the small family m is viewed by the experts our country, and conse- ently by almost everyone e, as a desirable social il but one that makes no momic sense. The prevail- atel,; wisdom is that the only le^ional choice for the small nily farmer is to get big or OUfs/ But as is so often true, the Aperts are wrong. There is «fjwing evidence that better ledQUtions to many of the basic idi:(:>blems plaguing the nation’s j j.,)d chain can be realized by of the small family . -m than can be achieved ^ tlarge operations. ®‘Jlir.Too often, the efficiencier ial [lai^e-scale agriculture, rely- tert;, intensive use of fossil [ y ils, chemicals and capital, re been accomplished with- ™'t adequate regard for jobs, '’'^mage to the environment 'Wild human health and other Colfttors. The efficiencies then I5j/e been achieved at added rt to society. are, however, increas- numbers of persons, albeit t small in number, who cor- nfcptly assess that the environ- Vicfint for small-scale agricul- j 5,.e is improving. The pessi- j- rtic view is more widespread ^-wever, and that makes it ficult for persons to get istance in starting up or Iterating a small farm. Mon- lenders automatically shy «' ay from loans to soundly s ; ied small farmers because jjjl.y believe that a small tner can’t succeed. Most of agriculture research in our ciD.iver8itites is aimed at laige- nioile farming and local agri- nirt|ural extension agents have [jjjj.dequate current, relevant ^'ormation on small-scale agriculture. What would help most would be for ail those con cerned with agriculture to speed a few hours at the library. In the process they would quickly learn that small-scale agriculture will have its place in the sun. One of the most support- iye facts to learn is that in a number of other coun tries that include 'Taiwan, Japan and Denmark, small- scale agriculture is quite as efficient as U.S. agriculture and more conserving of nat ural resources. Further evidence would be found in experiments and in existing and emerging technologies that point to more profitable small-scale agriculture. One of the most promising experiments under way is the model farm at Tuskegee Insti tute, where net income of $15,000 to $20,000 per year is expected from farms of 25-35 acres using crop diver sification, high-value crops, limited animal production, and intensive techniauea Coiporalio" Tests of a small-scale sprink ler irrigation head currently neaiing completion indicate a 15% savings in energy and as much as 20% savings of water. Soil run-off can be substan tially decreased (estimated r“- duclions of 50% by tlie year 2000)and total yici.' -ocreased with inteicroppinif and mini mum tillage piditices, whkh are most feasible in small-scale operations. Selected intercrop ping of from vwo to eight plant varieties has increased some small farm incomes in the eastern U.S by 50%. Farm-size nitrogen fertiliz er plants, usinc air, water, and electric powpi irom windmills are under development at Kettering Research Laborato ries. These units are designed to provide complete nitrogen self-sufficiency for individual farms. A number of solar tech nologies, either in-hand or emerging, make small-scale grain drying and storage more efficient than present fossil fuel-intensive methods. Other solar applications provide low er cost sources of power for irtigalion and adequate heat ing for animal buildings, even in northern climates. Small farm models have been developed to demon strate substantial production gains from the integration of limited acreage high-value crops and small-scale animal agriculture, notably sheep and hogs. Corresponding models are in the process of being developed for dairy goats and beef cattle. Technologies are advancing that are greatly increasing the efficiency of indoor food growing through the use of hydroponics, aeroponics and filler technologies. Many of Ine present installations are large scale, but with further research, lower-cost systems will be feasible. In mar'-eting, there is a growing con.sumer/produrer reliance on far-.,,i-.s’ mai!-'' health food stores -cid res taurants, local bakeries and small-scale efficient food pro cessing technology.' For in stance, one manufactui marketing a low cost, energy efficient commercial food can ning system which fits into 750 square feet of space. A new low cost (echnoi'fgy for vegetable and fruit pres ervation which combines vacu um cooling with a controlled atmosphere technique,enables preservations of 30 to 150 days for ship transportation or on-site preservation before selling and processing. Many more small-scale tech nologies, currently available or under development, could be mentioned. However, these examples demonstrate the point that sufficient know how is available to significant ly enhance the productivity of small family farms and small-scale food processors. In this age of computers, gathering and dissemination of this know-how is a manage able job. With further focused R&D, increased viability over a wider range of conditions can be even more firmly established. Given a better informed ag ricultural constituency there would be a surge of activity in support of small-scale farming. Legislators would match their perennial prom ises to foster a healthy en vironment for family farms with legislation that removes that are inh government policte- lilies would redu- '■‘‘search to impriiv. • .:Viculture. P.itii. -u s ' ''iiifacturers • ju . ))-'‘>ciufe I'" small-scale implements t'lai irp ncedetl. and -noney b-rit!-would become mindec u,- ihi- opportunities at hand. Not oii' eoiild existing small family larnu-rs begin to make a more attractive Mveli- liood, bu! millions of addi tional young people would have the opportunity t- choose a career in sma- scale agriculture. Those who will take time to investigate will clearly see that the issue isn’t i/but when small-scale agriculture will i)l‘i..som in the U.S. The 'sooner the better — consider ing that small scale agricul ture can better cope with the rising cost and growing scar city of fossil fuels, the growing scarcity of water, the urgent need to stop the alarming depletion rate of soil fertility by erosion, and stream pollu tion and other environmental degradation also caused by erosion, fertilizers and pesti cides. The experts of 20 y^-nrsago predicted that six !arge-si.a-p computers would provide ull of the engineering and scien tific computation that would ever be needed in the world. Today thousands of comput ers that are more powerful than those early machines are being sold each year. The ag experts of today will be proven just as wrong about the potential for small farms. SAFET SEWSE|! Is your home the picture of safety? It may not be if you have old films in your attic. The 35mm film used in movie theaters till the early 1950s deteriorates with age and in time can become a fine brown pow der that can burst into flame at temperatures as low as 106" F,—a tempera ture found in many attics. If you have such nitrate films, free material on pre serving them—and possibly preserving your home from fire—is available by writing to Joseph G. Empsucha, Assistant Motion Picture Archivist, The American Film Institute. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washing ton, D.C. 20566. Your lifestyle may be YfastinylS^ofthe energy you use. what you do in your home can make a ^ big difference in how much energy you use— and how much energy you waste. Consider two houses; both 1500 square feet, family of four, fully equipped with appliances and central air conditioning. Home #1 has storm windows and doors, proper insulation; home #2 doesn't. #1 keeps the thermostat at 78°in the summer; #2 at 72-75? In the winter, #1 keeps a 62°nighttime setting, 65—68°day— time; #2 keeps a 72°setting. The family in #1 watches the way it uses hot water and appliances; the family in #2 doesn't. In a year, home #1 uses 87 million units of energy; #2 uses 122 million. So do what you can to cut down on wasted energy. Because the more you get out of your energy dollar, the more we can get out of ours. And the less our bills will have to go up later on. Carolina Power & Light. LCio bosed on calctiluii jnt, developed cy CPSL fcnergy Services for overage healing and cooling degrees doys for CP&L set vice area. I-''' » CAR0ll^' ^ 1931 A bounteous and joyous New Year to all our friends and patrons! We appreciate your suppoH. UMBEE BANK PEMBROKE, N, C .WVA19P, ftlDCcAL OtPOSlI iNSUrWiCE COUPOfUTlON ROBESON COUNTY COMPENSATORY INDIAN EDUCATION PROJECT POST OFFiCH BOX 1 ^ ‘>8 l.uniberton. North Carolina 28.158 WHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT THE INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM? - How much money does the Robeson County Title IV Program receive? - How is the-money received for Indian chi'Jren spent and which children participate in the program? - How is the budget decided upon and who decides how much money is to be spent for what purpose? - Which schools participate in the Title IV program and what kinds of programs and serw' 'S are available to Indian children? FOR THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS, COME TO AN OPEN PUBLIC HEARING AT THE ROBESON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. Date: January 5,1980 Place: Board Room Time: 7:00 p .m. ,',LL INTlRESTED persons ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.
The Carolina Indian Voice (Pembroke, N.C.)
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Jan. 1, 1981, edition 1
9
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