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Short Course, NSA - September 25-26, 2008
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Staff scientists will lead an intensive exploration of The Land Institute's work in developing an agriculture patterned after natural ecosystems.
We are pleased to receive applications from students and others with diverse backgrounds and interests. Given the time and travel costs attendees invest in attending the course, however, we wish to be clear about what the course is and is not.
The short course does not aim to give farmers or practitioners information that will be useful today. Although some of our conversations might help, our goal is not modification of existing systems, but an almost entirely new agriculture, which will be years in the making. Furthermore, the focus of the course is primarily scientific in nature with less focus on social, economic, and political issues surrounding agriculture. The information we provide has broad appeal to those interested in agriculture, and we strive to reach those with limited science backgrounds. The short course has particularly benefited undergraduates planning to continue their academic studies but uncertain of a focus.
The essentials:
- The course will be held September 25-26 at the institute, outside Salina, Kansas. The course opens with check-in and dinner on Thursday evening and will conclude with the Prairie Festival Barn Dance Friday evening.
- There is no tuition, but students are responsible for their travel and accommodations. Successful applicants will receive directions and a list of motels. There is free camping on the grounds.
- Maximum enrollment will be 35. Preference will go to applicants with backgrounds in areas related to agricultural or environmental sciences and career interests that match the course.
- Application deadline: August 20, 2008.
Land-based natural ecosystems, nearly all of which are comprised of perennial plant mixtures, efficiently use available resources and thereby achieve high levels of plant productivity while supporting critical ecological functions for a given environment. Since its inception some 10,000 years ago, agriculture primarily features the opposite: annual plants grown in monocultures. Of particular concern, all of our major grain crops are annuals grown primarily in monocultures. Grain crops comprise two thirds of global cropland and provide a similar portion of our daily caloric needs.
The primary mission of The Land Institute is to employ our understanding of natural ecosystems to address the problem of agriculture while maintaining the high grain yields necessary to support an expanding human population. The primary focus of our immediate research is to develop new perennial grain crops which will eventually be grown in a manner more similar to that of natural plant communities than current crop fields.
During the short course, topics covered by Land Institute scientists include the history of agriculture, the nature of perennial and annual vegetation, benefits and limitations of genetic and species diversity, the feasibility of high-yield perennial grain crops, and social and political obstacles to fundamentally redesigning our agricultural landscapes. These topics are explored during formal talks and informal discussions taking place in the classroom, in nearby farm fields, and in the native tall-grass prairie.
This year, the Short Course will be held immediately prior to the Prairie Festival. Short Course attendees are encouraged to register for and attend the Land Institute’s Prairie Festival, although this is not required.
If you are interested in attending, apply by August 20, 2008, by e-mail to theland@landinstitute.org, or by mail to:
The Land Institute
NSA Short Course
2440 E. Water Well Road
Salina, KS 67401
Application details to include:
- Your name,
- Mailing address,
- Telephone numbers (home, office),
- E-mail address,
- University name and department,
- Major field of study,
- How you heard about The Land Institute, and
- A statement of your professional interests, and how they relate to your interest in the Short Course.
After applications are processed, an e-mail with the names, locations and e-mail addresses of all attendees will be sent so they can reach each other and arrange car pools.
Thank you for your interest in The Land Institute's Natural Systems Agriculture Short Course.
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© 2008 The Land Institute
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