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Climate Friendly Farming Topics
Farm Energy
Agricultural production is the process of converting solar (and other forms) energy into forms of food energy that can be consumed by humans. Therefore, the cost of energy products (power, fuel, heat, fertilizer) is one of the primary production expenditures for modern farming systems in the US. Recent price increases and volatility in the energy market serve as a reminder of the level of dependence modern farming systems have on fossil energy resources, and have prompted a new wave of analysis and research on farm energy use and efficiency. Conservative estimates of US Food System Energy use are as high as 15% of the national energy budget. While the Pacific Northwest has a competitive advantage over most of the world in high quality, inexpensive electrical power and a climate that reduces our need for thermal energy for grain drying, we are largely dependent on imported sources of fuel and fertilizers. We are conducting research related to reducing tillage-related fuel expenditures, alternative fertilizers, improved efficiency in the use of fuel and fertilizers, and farm energy assessments.
WSU Websites
Organic Farming Footprints
WSU webpage for the OFoot project, working to provide a scientifically sound yet simple estimation of the carbon and nitrogen sequestration and net greenhouse gas (GHG) balance likely in a given organic cropping system scenario.
WSU Publications
Site-Specific N Management for Direct-Seed Cropping Systems
Chapter 16 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
Yield, Protein and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Spring Wheat: Evaluating Field-Scale Performance
Chapter 17 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
Bioenergy as an Agricultural GHG Mitigation Strategy in Washington State
Chapter 22 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
WSU Presentations
Does Organic Farming Use Less Energy?
Presentation at the ACEEE national meeting on agriculture and energy, February 2008, Des Moines, IA.
Resources
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