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• 21. [Article] Agricultural Transitions in Northwestern Argentina

  Worldwide, agriculture has seen a transition from small scale subsistence farming to large scale commercial operations, often associated with green revolution technologies and support by government policies ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Agricultural Transitions in Northwestern Argentina Author: Reynolds, Kimberly Year: 2013 Worldwide, agriculture has seen a transition from small scale subsistence farming to large scale commercial operations, often associated with green revolution technologies and support by government policies and western models of economic development. Argentina with its history as a salient agricultural exporter serves as a valuable example of the agricultural transition from subsistence to commercial production. In the small town of San Pedro de Cololao, Tucuman, we studied the agricultural transitions that are taking place and analyzed the role that socioeconomic, cultural and political factors play in the shift. Through the case studies of agricultural practices in San Pedro de Cololao this report will give greater insight into how agriculture in rural communities is responding to economic development. This paper finds that two types of agricultural transitions from subsistence to commercialized production are occurring in NW Argentina and evaluates how they follow trends in development theory to greater conceptualize the patterns that led to these transitions and the potential social, economic and environmental implications they present. The agriculture changes taking place in San Pedro can be viewed as a representation of two paradigm shifts in the rural development discourse, the "small-farm-first narrative" and the shift towards internal resources and markets. Three agricultural models are present in San Pedro, 1) subsistence, 2) agroecological, and 3) small scale commercialized production of vegetables. Subsistence agriculture is slowly being abandoned in a transition to agroecological, and small scale production of vegetables for commercialization. The transition to agroecology can be identified with both the small-farm-first approach as well the shift towards internal resources and markets. The transition to the small scale commercialization of vegetables while associated with the small-farm first approach, applies some industrial agriculture technologies. Title: Agricultural Transitions in Northwestern Argentina Author: Reynolds, Kimberly Year: 2013 Worldwide, agriculture has seen a transition from small scale subsistence farming to large scale commercial operations, often associated with green revolution technologies and support by government policies and western models of economic development. Argentina with its history as a salient agricultural exporter serves as a valuable example of the agricultural transition from subsistence to commercial production. In the small town of San Pedro de Cololao, Tucuman, we studied the agricultural transitions that are taking place and analyzed the role that socioeconomic, cultural and political factors play in the shift. Through the case studies of agricultural practices in San Pedro de Cololao this report will give greater insight into how agriculture in rural communities is responding to economic development. This paper finds that two types of agricultural transitions from subsistence to commercialized production are occurring in NW Argentina and evaluates how they follow trends in development theory to greater conceptualize the patterns that led to these transitions and the potential social, economic and environmental implications they present. The agriculture changes taking place in San Pedro can be viewed as a representation of two paradigm shifts in the rural development discourse, the "small-farm-first narrative" and the shift towards internal resources and markets. Three agricultural models are present in San Pedro, 1) subsistence, 2) agroecological, and 3) small scale commercialized production of vegetables. Subsistence agriculture is slowly being abandoned in a transition to agroecological, and small scale production of vegetables for commercialization. The transition to agroecology can be identified with both the small-farm-first approach as well the shift towards internal resources and markets. The transition to the small scale commercialization of vegetables while associated with the small-farm first approach, applies some industrial agriculture technologies. Close

• 22. [Article] Risk Management System for Vestas Wind Farms

  Improvements to the risk management system(RMS) and the means to implement this RMS within the project management group at Vestas Americas are proposed in this report. Wind farm construction is a complex ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Risk Management System for Vestas Wind Farms Author: Johnson, Todd, Peterman, Wendy, Talla, Rajesh, Yates, Diane, Yoon, Youngkoo Year: 2009 Improvements to the risk management system(RMS) and the means to implement this RMS within the project management group at Vestas Americas are proposed in this report. Wind farm construction is a complex process that does not require advanced innovative technology. Therefore this process requires a “qualitative” risk response plan [1]. Vestas’ current risk plan is not comprehensive. At present, project managers focus on the critical path and on managing current risks. They look at current risks using probability and impact assessments that vary from project to project and from manager to manager. Title: Risk Management System for Vestas Wind Farms Author: Johnson, Todd, Peterman, Wendy, Talla, Rajesh, Yates, Diane, Yoon, Youngkoo Year: 2009 Improvements to the risk management system(RMS) and the means to implement this RMS within the project management group at Vestas Americas are proposed in this report. Wind farm construction is a complex process that does not require advanced innovative technology. Therefore this process requires a “qualitative” risk response plan [1]. Vestas’ current risk plan is not comprehensive. At present, project managers focus on the critical path and on managing current risks. They look at current risks using probability and impact assessments that vary from project to project and from manager to manager. Close

• 23. [Article] Growing a Sustainable Portland Metropolitan Foodshed

  Project Description and Objectives: Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) provided funding for this study to examine key agricultural trends, identify producer needs and define ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Growing a Sustainable Portland Metropolitan Foodshed Author: Martin, Sheila, Doherty-Chapman, Kathryn, Wise, Robert, Foust, Steve, Greene, Kirsten, Fiore, Ellie, Wyoming, Ellen, Seavert, Clark, Sullivan, Rebecca, Emshoff, Beth, Yap, Anita, Scolnik, Elise, Short, Bob Year: 2012 Project Description and Objectives: Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) provided funding for this study to examine key agricultural trends, identify producer needs and define strategies to strengthen the local food production system. The goals of the study are to: Define the Portland Metropolitan Foodshed; identify related agricultural and economic trends and develop a needs assessment based on input from producers and other stakeholders; assemble a regional toolkit of strategies to support evolution of a sustainable Portland Metropolitan Foodshed; work with the City of Damascus, Oregon to test the toolkit on a local level; Develop a research and educational program that supports these goals and supports small and medium farmers in the region. This project differs from many other studies of the barriers and opportunities faced by farmers because it focuses specifically on farms that are trying to survive within a growing metropolitan region. While these farms face significant challenges related to urban growth, they also have significant opportunities as urban consumers begin to demand food that is grown locally and sustainability and food related experiences that can supplement farm income. Title: Growing a Sustainable Portland Metropolitan Foodshed Author: Martin, Sheila, Doherty-Chapman, Kathryn, Wise, Robert, Foust, Steve, Greene, Kirsten, Fiore, Ellie, Wyoming, Ellen, Seavert, Clark, Sullivan, Rebecca, Emshoff, Beth, Yap, Anita, Scolnik, Elise, Short, Bob Year: 2012 Project Description and Objectives: Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) provided funding for this study to examine key agricultural trends, identify producer needs and define strategies to strengthen the local food production system. The goals of the study are to: Define the Portland Metropolitan Foodshed; identify related agricultural and economic trends and develop a needs assessment based on input from producers and other stakeholders; assemble a regional toolkit of strategies to support evolution of a sustainable Portland Metropolitan Foodshed; work with the City of Damascus, Oregon to test the toolkit on a local level; Develop a research and educational program that supports these goals and supports small and medium farmers in the region. This project differs from many other studies of the barriers and opportunities faced by farmers because it focuses specifically on farms that are trying to survive within a growing metropolitan region. While these farms face significant challenges related to urban growth, they also have significant opportunities as urban consumers begin to demand food that is grown locally and sustainability and food related experiences that can supplement farm income. Close

• 24. [Article] Blade Number Effects in a Scaled Down Wind Farm

  Two 3 × 4 scaled down wind farms were analyzed to understand differences in wind turbine boundary layers when turbines operating at identical power coefficients have two or three blades. Mean streamwise ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Blade Number Effects in a Scaled Down Wind Farm Author: Newman, A. Jensen, Cal, Raúl Bayoán, Castillo, Luciano Year: 2015 Two 3 × 4 scaled down wind farms were analyzed to understand differences in wind turbine boundary layers when turbines operating at identical power coefficients have two or three blades. Mean streamwise velocities in two bladed turbine near wakes ranged between 10 and 100% larger than those in the three bladed case with large differences just behind the nacelle. In the rotor swept region of far wakes, mean velocity differences between the two arrays were about 10% (max) and became smaller with increasing streamwise direction. Contrary to these findings, regions above and below rotors become less similar deep in the array. Incoming flow to downstream turbines was shown to have greater Reynolds streamwise normal stress for three bladed rotors. Percentage differences ranged between about 30% for the second turbine down to 10% for the fourth turbine. Additionally, there is qualitative evidence that suggests incoming streamwise Reynolds normal stress becomes similar between the two types of turbines, indicating that asymptotically two and three bladed turbines could have similar fatigue loading properties. These results show that use of two bladed turbines would have the most impact when used in a wind farm's first two rows. Title: Blade Number Effects in a Scaled Down Wind Farm Author: Newman, A. Jensen, Cal, Raúl Bayoán, Castillo, Luciano Year: 2015 Two 3 × 4 scaled down wind farms were analyzed to understand differences in wind turbine boundary layers when turbines operating at identical power coefficients have two or three blades. Mean streamwise velocities in two bladed turbine near wakes ranged between 10 and 100% larger than those in the three bladed case with large differences just behind the nacelle. In the rotor swept region of far wakes, mean velocity differences between the two arrays were about 10% (max) and became smaller with increasing streamwise direction. Contrary to these findings, regions above and below rotors become less similar deep in the array. Incoming flow to downstream turbines was shown to have greater Reynolds streamwise normal stress for three bladed rotors. Percentage differences ranged between about 30% for the second turbine down to 10% for the fourth turbine. Additionally, there is qualitative evidence that suggests incoming streamwise Reynolds normal stress becomes similar between the two types of turbines, indicating that asymptotically two and three bladed turbines could have similar fatigue loading properties. These results show that use of two bladed turbines would have the most impact when used in a wind farm's first two rows. Close

• 25. [Article] A New Era of Water Quality Management in Agriculture: From Best Management Practices to Watershed-based Whole Farm Approaches

  Why is reducing water pollution from agriculture such a stubbornly slow process? Despite several policy initiatives since the 1970s, farms and ranches rank as the primary contributors to impairments of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A New Era of Water Quality Management in Agriculture: From Best Management Practices to Watershed-based Whole Farm Approaches Author: Ervin, David E. Year: 1995 Why is reducing water pollution from agriculture such a stubbornly slow process? Despite several policy initiatives since the 1970s, farms and ranches rank as the primary contributors to impairments of the nation's surface waters [U.S.EPA, 1994b]. Emerging research also points to agricultural chemicals in many cases of groundwater contamination [Barbash and Resek; Mueller, et al.]. After a little reflection, the industry's negative distinction may not be surprising. Covering nearly half the U.S. land base, crop and livestock production inevitably alter natural vegetative cover, apply fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water, and involve animal wastes. All of these processes can degrade water quality. Without question, cases of water quality improvement as well as degradation occur within agriculture's number one ranking. Stream, lake, and groundwater success stories have come from federal, state, and local efforts. However, the overall weight of the evidence indicates the industry's performance needs to improve rather sharply if the nation's water quality is to advance to a higher plateau in line with broad public preference. This paper's central thesis is that dramatic changes in program approaches are necessary for that advance because of powerful budget, economic, and political forces. Continued reliance on programs subsidizing or regulating best management practices (BMPs) conflicts with those forces in fundamental ways. Moreover, promising technologies and improved water quality science support more flexible, whole farm approaches for targeted priority watersheds. Title: A New Era of Water Quality Management in Agriculture: From Best Management Practices to Watershed-based Whole Farm Approaches Author: Ervin, David E. Year: 1995 Why is reducing water pollution from agriculture such a stubbornly slow process? Despite several policy initiatives since the 1970s, farms and ranches rank as the primary contributors to impairments of the nation's surface waters [U.S.EPA, 1994b]. Emerging research also points to agricultural chemicals in many cases of groundwater contamination [Barbash and Resek; Mueller, et al.]. After a little reflection, the industry's negative distinction may not be surprising. Covering nearly half the U.S. land base, crop and livestock production inevitably alter natural vegetative cover, apply fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water, and involve animal wastes. All of these processes can degrade water quality. Without question, cases of water quality improvement as well as degradation occur within agriculture's number one ranking. Stream, lake, and groundwater success stories have come from federal, state, and local efforts. However, the overall weight of the evidence indicates the industry's performance needs to improve rather sharply if the nation's water quality is to advance to a higher plateau in line with broad public preference. This paper's central thesis is that dramatic changes in program approaches are necessary for that advance because of powerful budget, economic, and political forces. Continued reliance on programs subsidizing or regulating best management practices (BMPs) conflicts with those forces in fundamental ways. Moreover, promising technologies and improved water quality science support more flexible, whole farm approaches for targeted priority watersheds. Close

• 26. [Article] Policies Driving Wind Power Adoption in the Pacific Northwest

  Wind energy is generally the cheapest renewable energy technology, and it is the only one ready for large-scale deployment. Wind energy investment has been growing rapidly due to government support. In ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Policies Driving Wind Power Adoption in the Pacific Northwest Author: Lui, Jonathan, Gu, Yongwen, Martin, Brandon Year: 2014 Wind energy is generally the cheapest renewable energy technology, and it is the only one ready for large-scale deployment. Wind energy investment has been growing rapidly due to government support. In this project, we analyzed the policies driving wind power adoption in the Pacific Northwest. We built a HDM model to identify the driving forces behind wind power adoption from policy perspective, economic perspective, and environment perspective. For policy perspective, we considered production tax credit (PTC), Washington state initiative (I-937), energy trust policy, federal clean renewable energy bonds, over supply and subsidies, and wind farm location selection. For economic perspective, we considered job created for wind farms, tax revenue for rural communities, easement payment for farm owners, demand of wind turbines and turbine component, and stabilization of wholesale electricity costs. For environmental perspective, we considered reductions of ecological footprint, carbon emissions, water consumptions, and toxic pollutions thanks to wind energy. We identified that policy is still the main factor of wind adoption in the Pacific Northwest. Without additional tax incentives for the Pacific Northwest there will likely be a reduction in wind sites. We confirmed that wind energy benefits the economy and environment. As technology continues to improve, so will the benefits associated with this maturing technology. Title: Policies Driving Wind Power Adoption in the Pacific Northwest Author: Lui, Jonathan, Gu, Yongwen, Martin, Brandon Year: 2014 Wind energy is generally the cheapest renewable energy technology, and it is the only one ready for large-scale deployment. Wind energy investment has been growing rapidly due to government support. In this project, we analyzed the policies driving wind power adoption in the Pacific Northwest. We built a HDM model to identify the driving forces behind wind power adoption from policy perspective, economic perspective, and environment perspective. For policy perspective, we considered production tax credit (PTC), Washington state initiative (I-937), energy trust policy, federal clean renewable energy bonds, over supply and subsidies, and wind farm location selection. For economic perspective, we considered job created for wind farms, tax revenue for rural communities, easement payment for farm owners, demand of wind turbines and turbine component, and stabilization of wholesale electricity costs. For environmental perspective, we considered reductions of ecological footprint, carbon emissions, water consumptions, and toxic pollutions thanks to wind energy. We identified that policy is still the main factor of wind adoption in the Pacific Northwest. Without additional tax incentives for the Pacific Northwest there will likely be a reduction in wind sites. We confirmed that wind energy benefits the economy and environment. As technology continues to improve, so will the benefits associated with this maturing technology. Close

• 27. [Article] The defense system in Libya during the I-VI centuries A.D.

  This thesis will examine the significance of the defense system that was a result of the Libyan wars against the Romans, Byzantines, and the Vandals. For economic and strategic reasons these nations were ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The defense system in Libya during the I-VI centuries A.D. Author: Geddeda, Ramadan A. Year: 1978 This thesis will examine the significance of the defense system that was a result of the Libyan wars against the Romans, Byzantines, and the Vandals. For economic and strategic reasons these nations were involved in long and bitter wars which lasted over six centuries. The policy of the long distance military expeditions, which was the main instrument of the Romans in subduing the natives in the early Empire, had failed to achieve its goals. Thus, the alternative was to erect a network of roads and forts in strategic spots such as water points, commanding hills, along the caravan routes and on the edges of fertile wadis. In fact, neither the roads, which were very well fortified, nor the massive front forts had solved the frontier problems, thus the Romans had no choice other than to leave the frontiers to be guarded by the natives themselves. To this end several civilian settlements (fortified farms) were established on the fertile wadis. "While a mixture of people coexisted in these fortified farms, the archaeological remains show that the prevailing culture belonged to the Libyan natives. Title: The defense system in Libya during the I-VI centuries A.D. Author: Geddeda, Ramadan A. Year: 1978 This thesis will examine the significance of the defense system that was a result of the Libyan wars against the Romans, Byzantines, and the Vandals. For economic and strategic reasons these nations were involved in long and bitter wars which lasted over six centuries. The policy of the long distance military expeditions, which was the main instrument of the Romans in subduing the natives in the early Empire, had failed to achieve its goals. Thus, the alternative was to erect a network of roads and forts in strategic spots such as water points, commanding hills, along the caravan routes and on the edges of fertile wadis. In fact, neither the roads, which were very well fortified, nor the massive front forts had solved the frontier problems, thus the Romans had no choice other than to leave the frontiers to be guarded by the natives themselves. To this end several civilian settlements (fortified farms) were established on the fertile wadis. "While a mixture of people coexisted in these fortified farms, the archaeological remains show that the prevailing culture belonged to the Libyan natives. Close

• 28. [Article] Technology Roadmap: Cattle Farming Sustainability in Germany

  Cattle farming is one of the most environmentally threatening industries worldwide. Its impact has been assessed as a main driver for soil degradation, deforestation, water bed contamination, and greenhouse ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Technology Roadmap: Cattle Farming Sustainability in Germany Author: Gallegos Rivero, Alvaro Rigel, Daim, Tugrul U. Year: 2017 Cattle farming is one of the most environmentally threatening industries worldwide. Its impact has been assessed as a main driver for soil degradation, deforestation, water bed contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions. Germany is one of the largest consumers and producers of livestock products in the world. This high volume demand for livestock forces farmers and consumers to import from overseas and increase national yields. Technologies worldwide are being developed with a focus on sustainability and cleaner production; however, this may not necessarily be easily adapted and implemented by German farmers. This paper uses the technology roadmap approach to propose a plan for implementing these technologies by identifying the barriers and actions to remove them. Aquaponics, grazing management, and capturing methane are current global trends used in the effort to reduce the impact of livestock. While aquaponics are at an early stage of development and implementation in Germany, grazing management techniques and methane processing on free range cattle are mostly still unknown and not implemented by farmers producing in the country. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd Title: Technology Roadmap: Cattle Farming Sustainability in Germany Author: Gallegos Rivero, Alvaro Rigel, Daim, Tugrul U. Year: 2017 Cattle farming is one of the most environmentally threatening industries worldwide. Its impact has been assessed as a main driver for soil degradation, deforestation, water bed contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions. Germany is one of the largest consumers and producers of livestock products in the world. This high volume demand for livestock forces farmers and consumers to import from overseas and increase national yields. Technologies worldwide are being developed with a focus on sustainability and cleaner production; however, this may not necessarily be easily adapted and implemented by German farmers. This paper uses the technology roadmap approach to propose a plan for implementing these technologies by identifying the barriers and actions to remove them. Aquaponics, grazing management, and capturing methane are current global trends used in the effort to reduce the impact of livestock. While aquaponics are at an early stage of development and implementation in Germany, grazing management techniques and methane processing on free range cattle are mostly still unknown and not implemented by farmers producing in the country. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd Close

• 29. [Article] Organics to You - Optimization of Produce Bins

  Organics to You (www.organicstoyou.org ) is a produce delivery company that focuses on bringing organic local food from local farms straight to the homes, schools, and businesses of its clients. Each week ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Organics to You - Optimization of Produce Bins Author: Lerdphayakkarat, Rassaniya, Chieh Lu, Chuan, Roschke, Jon, Suzuki, Juliana, Truong, Jessie Year: 2017 Organics to You (www.organicstoyou.org ) is a produce delivery company that focuses on bringing organic local food from local farms straight to the homes, schools, and businesses of its clients. Each week a "Small Bin" is created using different varieties of local produce from various farms. Customers receive a bin that contains 12-14 varieties of produce with 2-6 "servings" of each variety (e.g., 1 melon, 4 apples, 1 head of lettuce, 2 lbs potatoes, etc). Our objective is to optimize the contents of the “Small Bin”. The decision we want to make is how much of each variety do we include in the bin while minimizing capital costs, thus maximizing profits. Constraints will aim to keep each variety within the appropriate "servings" range in order to ensure a well rounded bin and avoid overloading customers with too much of one thing, i.e. we cannot just give everyone twenty pounds of potatoes as cheap as that might be. Title: Organics to You - Optimization of Produce Bins Author: Lerdphayakkarat, Rassaniya, Chieh Lu, Chuan, Roschke, Jon, Suzuki, Juliana, Truong, Jessie Year: 2017 Organics to You (www.organicstoyou.org ) is a produce delivery company that focuses on bringing organic local food from local farms straight to the homes, schools, and businesses of its clients. Each week a "Small Bin" is created using different varieties of local produce from various farms. Customers receive a bin that contains 12-14 varieties of produce with 2-6 "servings" of each variety (e.g., 1 melon, 4 apples, 1 head of lettuce, 2 lbs potatoes, etc). Our objective is to optimize the contents of the “Small Bin”. The decision we want to make is how much of each variety do we include in the bin while minimizing capital costs, thus maximizing profits. Constraints will aim to keep each variety within the appropriate "servings" range in order to ensure a well rounded bin and avoid overloading customers with too much of one thing, i.e. we cannot just give everyone twenty pounds of potatoes as cheap as that might be. Close

• 30. [Article] Rural Water

  In Rural Water, Amos Durand struggles to bring in the year's corn crop amid constant rain, marital strife, and his son's peculiar role in a murder investigation.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Rural Water Author: Mollet, Daniel Ray Year: 2013 In Rural Water, Amos Durand struggles to bring in the year's corn crop amid constant rain, marital strife, and his son's peculiar role in a murder investigation. Title: Rural Water Author: Mollet, Daniel Ray Year: 2013 In Rural Water, Amos Durand struggles to bring in the year's corn crop amid constant rain, marital strife, and his son's peculiar role in a murder investigation. Close