Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 18.4
Components of the Sunshine Farm, with Their Energy Sources and Functions
Energy Source
Component
Function
Grain produced on the farm, plus some
purchased feed
Draft horses
Field operations
Sunlight
4.5-kW photovoltaic array
Electricity for workshop tools, water
pumping, electric fencing, chick brooding
Purchased biodiesel from local cooperative,
with raw-material contribution from the
farm
Biodiesel tractor
Field operations
Grain produced on the farm, plus some
purchased feed
Texas longhorn beef cattle
Marketing
Grain produced on the farm, plus some
purchased feed
Poultry
Marketing (eggs and broilers)
Primary production, animal manure
Grain crops
Marketing (wheat) and animal feed (alfalfa,
sorghum, oats)
Primary production, animal manure
Oilseed crops
Biodiesel production (pressed oil) and
animal feed (leftover meal)
Primary production
Leguminous crops
Nitrogen fixation, forage, animal feed
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A vast collection of information on alternative
fuels and the vehicles that use them.
1.
How do biological cultural energy inputs and
industrial cultural energy inputs differ with
respect to ecological impacts?
Energy Bulletin
www.energybulletin.net
An online news bulletin on energy issues, with
a section dedicated to agriculture
2.
What are some of the types of industrial cultural
energy inputs to agriculture that can come from
renewable sources?
National Sustainable Agriculture Information
Service: Energy in Agriculture
www.attra.ncat.org/energy.html
This private, non-profit organization helps
people by championing small-scale, local,
and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty,
promote healthy communities, and protect
natural resources.
3.
How can we use renewable energy sources to
replace nonrenewable sources, yet still meet the
increasing demand for food?
4.
What roles can animals play in improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of energy concen-
tration and transfer in agroecosystems?
5.
What is your definition of sustainable energy
use in agriculture?
6.
How has the use of fossil fuels masked the envi-
ronmental costs of conventional agriculture?
The Land Institute
www.landinstitute.org
A nonprofit research and education organiza-
tion that promotes Natural Systems
Agriculture, in which nature is the model
for reconnecting people, land, and
community.
7.
How has our “faith in technology” influenced
the development of ecologically based, sustain-
able sources of energy for agriculture?
8.
What are some of the limitations to “growing”
energy crops on the farms where the energy will
be used?
Windustry: Wind Farmers Network
www.windustry.org
A nonprofit organization working to create an
understanding of wind energy opportunities
for rural economic benefit.
INTERNET RESOURCES
Alternative Fuels Data Center
www.eere.energy.gov/afdc
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