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Epicurean Simplicity
Wes Jackson is one of the foremost figures in the international sustainable agriculture movement. Founder and president of The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, he has pioneered reserach in Natural Systems Agriculture — including perennial grains, perennial polycultures, and intercropping — for over 30 years. He was a professor of biology at Kansas Wesleyan and later established the Environmental Studies program at California State University, Sacramento, where he became a tenured full professor. He is the author of several books including Becoming Native to This Place (1994), Altars of Unhewn Stone (1987), and New Roots for Agriculture (1980).
The work of the Land Institute has been featured extensively in the popular media, including The Atlantic Monthly, Audubon, The MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour, and All Things Considered. Life magazine predicted Wes Jackson will be among the 100 "most important Americans of the 20th century." He is a recipient of the Pew Conservation Scholars award and a MacArthur Fellowship, and has been listed as one of Smithsonian's "35 Who Made a Difference". Wes has an M.A. in botany from University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in genetics from North Carolina State University.
With America's topsoil gravely threatened, dwindling supplies of fossil fuels are going to present new challenges for working farmers who supply our food.
Post Carbon Institute Food & Agriculture Fellow Wes Jackson is one of the foremost figures in the international sustainable agriculture movement. Founder and president of The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, he has pioneered reserach in Natural Systems Agriculture — including perennial grains, perennial polycultures, and intercropping — for over 30 years. He was a professor of biology at Kansas Wesleyan and later established the Environmental Studies program at California State University, Sacramento, where he became a tenured full professor. He is the author of several books including Becoming Native to This Place (1994), Altars of Unhewn Stone (1987), and New Roots for Agriculture (1980).
Philosopher-farmers Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson and Gene Logsdon discuss the future of agriculture, the environment and changing our ideas about growth and progress. Recorded live at Xavier University on April 11. Special thanks to Xavier University's Ethics/Religion and Society Department.
"The situation in agriculture as they see it is grave. The worlds food supplies not keeping pace with population booms the soil is being exhausetd and much or our agriculture relies on oil which is running out."
[Excerpt] THE extraordinary rainstorms last June caused catastrophic soil erosion in the grain lands of Iowa, where there were gullies 200 feet wide. But even worse damage is done over the long term under normal rainfall … >>
Scott Bontz/The Land Institute In Brief We need new strategies for agriculture that emphasize efficient nutrient use in order to lower production costs and minimize negative environmental effects. The trouble is, the … >>
"What we must think about is an agriculture with a human face." In six compelling essays, Wes Jackson lays the foundation for a new farming economy grounded in nature's principles and nurtured in small towns … >>
Post Carbon Fellow Wes Jackson was interviewed by onearth about his work at The Land Institute. From the article: How big a challenge do you face? Huge. I mean, partly, because people have left the farms and they don't have … >>
Post Carbon Fellow Bill McKibben and Executive Director Asher Miller discuss Bill's new book Eaarth, and the 350.org campaign.
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what is pci?Founded in 2003, Post Carbon Institute is leading the transition to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world. The Institute has gathered 29 of the world's leading experts on a wide range of interdependent social and scientific issues.
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