What's on tap for week 5

No video this week.  I have a nasty cold that involves laryngitis.  The laryngitis and the fact that I am barely presentable even when I am fit and hale made me refrain from showing you my sickly mug...here is a shot of me in healthier, happier times.

This week we continue our exploration of the nebulous concept of sustainability.  Last week I gave you a definition of what sustainability is using broad ecological concepts.  But can we translate those broad concepts into something more practical….something that could say help us design a more sustainable agricultural system?  The lectures this week explore this more practical side.  While it is only a brief overview, I hope the lectures give you a sense of some of the ways that people are trying to apply the sustainability concept…as well as some of the challenges.  The lectures conclude with a discussion of perhaps the most practical agricultural sustainability consideration of them all: soil conservation.  The documentary “Surviving the Dustbowl” continues that theme.  It is a loose adaptation of this fantastic book: “The Worst Hard Time”

The other readings consider different ways of achieving agricultural sustainability.  Note the longish webinar on no-till systems is optional.

For the homework assignment I have you set up an outline for doing a Life Cycle Assessment. 

Have a great week, and I hope nobody is sick!