Barnyards and Birkenstocks: Why Farmers and Environmentalists Need Each Other

by Don Stuart

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781636820736
Publisher:	Washington State University Press
Publication date:	09/24/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Contents

Acronyms
Introduction: The Cherry Valley Dairy
1. The Farm-Environmental Paradox
2. Farmland—Why We Lose It and Where It Goes
3. Agriculture's Environmental Risks
4. Opportunities Lost When Farms Disappear
5. Voluntary Incentives—Pro and Con
6. Regulations—Pro and Con
7. Choosing Between Incentives and Regulations
8. Taxes and Government Spending
9. Environmental Markets
10. Local Food, Consumer Influence, and Farmer Privacy
11. Choosing Between Zoning and Conservation Easements
12. Climate Change
13. Livestock, the Public Lands, and the Environment
14. The Federal Farm Bill
15. Tools for Dialogue—the Common Ground
16. Two Visions for the Future of Agriculture and the Environment
Notes
About the Author
Index

Editorial Reviews

"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 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.

"Barnyard and Birkenstocks provides practical tips and advice on working towards the common goal of a flourishing and healthy environment."

—AgInfo Network

"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

"An important and significant contribution to local, regional, and national discussions."

—Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher