Francis Thicke, PhD, is a scientist, an expert on sustainable agriculture, and a practicing dairy farmer. He is widely consulted for his clear explanations of the economic and ecological forces that are changing the way we produce food in the modern world. This book draws from his background as an organic dairy farmer, and as a soil scientist who has served at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. as National Program Leader for Soil Science. This introductory book addresses topics from industrial farming (including CAFOs ¬¬- Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) to the ongoing conflicts between factory farms and family farms, to how family farms can be profitable after peak oil. He also examines industrial agriculture and nature's own ecological methods, and shows how, in his own dairy operation, new sustainable approaches can be less costly, more productive, and return more profits to farmers. Dr. Thicke is an advocate for the systematic improvement of agricultural technology and farming methods, and for the effective use of sustainable, renewable sources of energy to achieve self-sufficiency in food production. His insights have proven increasingly relevant in the development of new public policy for Iowa, with profound implications for the United States as a whole.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
If you believe that agriculture can be, and should be, based upon sustainable food and livestock production, there's a practical new hands-on guide to how we can get there from where we are now: "A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture" by Francis Thicke, Ph.D.
Dr. Thicke puts a lifetime of hands-on farming experience, a Ph.D. in Soil Science and four years at the USDA to good use in "A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture," explaining the difference between industrial agriculture and ecological agriculture. He shows how sustainable farming, on-farm energy solutions and local and regional food systems can restore family farmers and family farming to their rightful place in our food production systems and in our state and national food and farm policies.
Dr. Thicke points out that we already have many innovative working farms and farmers that demonstrate how food and livestock production can increase diversity and resilience on the land, protect and rebuild our natural resource base, make a farm more energy self-sufficient, produce food for local communities and rebuild our rural communities. "A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture" lays out Dr. Thicke's vision for putting this approach to agriculture at center stage in government policy and in our state and national conversation about the future of food and farming.
In his foreward to "A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture," Dr. Frederick Kirschenmann (Distinguished Fellow, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture) writes, "We have the opportunity in the decades ahead to design an agriculture that can be more economically, socially and ecologically resilient. That is the future to which Francis has dedicated himself--and so should we."
Dr. Thicke puts a lifetime of hands-on farming experience, a Ph.D. in Soil Science and four years at the USDA to good use in "A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture," explaining the difference between industrial agriculture and ecological agriculture. He shows how sustainable farming, on-farm energy solutions and local and regional food systems can restore family farmers and family farming to their rightful place in our food production systems and in our state and national food and farm policies.
Dr. Thicke points out that we already have many innovative working farms and farmers that demonstrate how food and livestock production can increase diversity and resilience on the land, protect and rebuild our natural resource base, make a farm more energy self-sufficient, produce food for local communities and rebuild our rural communities. "A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture" lays out Dr. Thicke's vision for putting this approach to agriculture at center stage in government policy and in our state and national conversation about the future of food and farming.
In his foreward to "A New Vision for Iowa Food and Agriculture," Dr. Frederick Kirschenmann (Distinguished Fellow, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture) writes, "We have the opportunity in the decades ahead to design an agriculture that can be more economically, socially and ecologically resilient. That is the future to which Francis has dedicated himself--and so should we."
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Bluestem
How can we change the current system of agriculture? I'm not a farmer, but as like many consumers, I'm concerned about our food supply. I'm concerned about farming practices. Francis Thicke summarizes the current and historical state of ag with well researched statistics, and gives examples from his own organic sustainable farming operation about how these practices can be implemented now and in the future. He also outlines with statistical evidence how locally grown agriculture benefits the local economy, significantly more than the current commodity based ag system that dominates today. This is a book that sparks promise in our food future that doesn't have to be dominated with corn syrup and animal feed; it can be done with emphasis on our communities and with respect to the soil.
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