Resources and the Environment
Developing New Energy Sources from Agriculture
Jim Duffield, Guest Editor
As recently as the early 1900s, energy sources around the world were mostly agriculturally derived and industrial products were primarily made from plant matter. Early motor fuels also came from agriculture — Henry Ford used ethanol in his original engine and Rudolf Diesel's engine could run on peanut oil. By 1920, petroleum emerged as the dominant energy source for transportation fuels and industrial products. For over 80 years, the United States and other industrialized countries have relied on petroleum as an economical and dependable source of energy. However, this reliance on petroleum is becoming a major issue as our domestic oil supplies shrink and our dependence on oil imports grows. The papers in this theme will look at agriculture's current role as an energy producer and explore opportunities for agriculture as our Nation struggles to secure its energy future.
Consumers and Markets
Tilling Latin American Soils
Peter Goldsmith, Guest Editor
Latin America has emerged as a dominant force within the global agri-food system, both as a demander and supplier of goods. While agribusiness investment occurs at a torrid pace, the region brings to light a number of fundamental issues facing the global community. For example, Brazil holds the world's largest reserves of tillable land. Should they be developed to meet the world's needs for food, feed, fuel, and fiber? At the heart of these fundamental issues is the tradeoff between the need for growth and the need to protect the vulnerable; in society and in the environment. This theme focuses on how governments, communities, firms, and the environment are juxtaposed when Latin America becomes the world's "food basket" in the 21st century.
We are working on future theme coverage on the emerging trends in Latin American agriculture, developing new energy sources from agriculture, the Farm Bill, checkoff programs, invasive species, future of the livestock industry, and returns to research and extension. See our thematic coverage page for a complete list and planned schedule.
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