Overview

Rural America is struggling. The average farmer is now 57 years old. Family agriculture is gradually fading, and prime farmland is often converted into environmentally harmful applications. But food cultivation has ecological consequences, too. Farms consume 80 percent of the nation's water. Although they often prevent sprawling development, improve water quality, or provide wildlife habitat, they also pollute rivers, drain wetlands, or emit destructive greenhouse gasses.Don Stuart believes two dangerous trends--the loss of farms and damage to ecosystems--are connected, and that a major cause is the political deadlock between farmers and environmental activists. He offers a radical proposal: collaboration. To promote empathy and point out the costs of continued political impasse, he presents opposing perspectives. Topics include incentives, regulations, government spending, environmental markets, growth management, climate change, public lands grazing, and the federal farm bill. Drawing from multiple case studies and a lifetime spent settling conflicts, the author identifies characteristics of successful community programs to suggest a model for a prosperous, healthy future.

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9780874223224

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Reviews

Barnyard and Birkenstocks provides practical tips and advice on working towards the common goal of a flourishing and healthy environment. --AgInfo Network An important and significant contribution to local, regional, and national discussions. --Midwest Book Review An in-depth account of the positive developments in farmer-environmentalist collaborations. Lessons Stuart learned are valuable for citizens and policy makers. --Journal of Multidisciplinary Research The author is uniquely qualified to comment on the conflicts and common interests of farmers and environmentalists from long experience on both sides. People will find Stuart's insights on the two camps extremely useful in tailoring programs effectively. --Dennis Canty, Pacific Northwest Regional Director, American Farmland Trust and Guide to Environmental Markets for Farmers and Ranchers coauthor. This book is a valuable resource for farmers, environmentalists, academics, policymakers, students, and regulators. --Peter Goldmark, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands

[Don Stuart] forcefully makes the case that there is significant peril to the goals of each [side] if the current stalemate over environmental concerns about farming operations continues unresolved. This book is a valuable resource for farmers, environmentalists, academics, policymakers, students, and regulators. -- Peter Goldmark Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands The author is uniquely qualified to comment on the conflicts and common interests of farmers and environmentalists from long experience on both sides. People...will find [his] insights on the two camps extremely useful in tailoring programs effectively. -- Dennis Canty Pacific Northwest Regional Director, American Farmland Trust and

The author is uniquely qualified to comment on the conflicts and common interests of farmers and environmentalists from long experience on both sides. People...will find [his] insights on the two camps extremely useful in tailoring programs effectively. -- Dennis Canty Pacific Northwest Regional Director, American Farmland Trust and

Author Information

Washington attorney and Stuart Consulting Principal Don Stuart believes public policies can assure a healthy, sustainable environment yet still enhance economic prosperity for businesses. Currently, he advises groups regarding advocacy and political action. He has served as American Farmland Trust's Pacific Northwest regional director and as executive director for the Washington Association of Conservation Districts. He holds a B.S. and a law degree from the University of Washington.

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