Digital Commons Network^™

Cadmium Contamination Of Agricultural Soils And Crops Resulting From Sphalerite Weathering., T. C. Robson, C. B. Braungardt, J. Rieuwerts, P. Worsfold

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The biogeochemistry and bioavailability of cadmium, released during sphalerite weathering in soils, were investigated under contrasting agricultural scenarios to assess health risks associated with sphalerite dust transport to productive soils from mining. Laboratory experiments (365 d) on temperate and sub-tropical soils amended with sphalerite (<63 μm, 0.92 wt.% Cd) showed continuous, slow dissolution (0.6-1.2% y(-1)). Wheat grown in spiked temperate soil accumulated ≈38% (29 μmol kg(-1)) of the liberated Cd, exceeding food safety limits. In contrast, rice grown in flooded sub-tropical soil accumulated far less Cd (0.60 μmol kg(-1)) due to neutral soil pH and Cd bioavailability was possibly also controlled by secondary sulfide formation. The results demonstrate long-term release of Cd to soil porewaters during sphalerite weathering. Under oxic conditions, Cd may be sufficiently bioavailable to contaminate crops destined for human consumption; however flooded rice production limits the impact of sphalerite contamination.

Just Farming: An Environmental Justice Perspective On The Capacity Of Grassroots Organizations To Support The Rights Of Organic Farmers And Laborers, Rebecca Elaine Berkey

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This mixed methods study builds upon literature and research in environmental justice, public participation, and community development to examine how justice-related issues impact farmers and workers on organic farms in the Northeastern United States. It also examines how involvement in a grassroots organization helps farmers and workers address these issues. At the core of the study is an exploration of environmental justice and its applications at a broad, systemic level; an examination of the current context of laborers in organic agriculture in the Northeast; and finally an investigation of the effects of grassroots organizing within the Northeast Organic Farming Association …

Agribusiness Department Recruitment Study, Zoe Alyssa Sanchez

Agribusiness

The Agribusiness (AGB) Department within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is interested in understanding why AGB freshmen are motivated to choose AGB as their major. Consequently, this recruitment study was undertaken to assist the Department in determining why freshmen chose AGB as their major. This study also attempts to assist the Department in understanding freshmen’s overall experience applying to Cal Poly and their perceptions related to agricultural business.

Two surveys were created and used to collect data on freshmen’s overall application experience and perceptions surrounding agricultural business. The collected …

Estonia's Post-Soviet Agricultural Reforms: Lessons For Cuba, Mario A. Gonzalez-Corzo

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Scratching The Surface: Seven Seasons At The Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, Newbury, Massachusetts, Mary C. Beaudry

Northeast Historical Archaeology

Results of excavations conducted between 1986 and 1994 at the Spencer-Pierce-Little farm, Newbury, Massachusetts, are summarized and evaluated in light of the research questions that have guided the project to date. Under continuous occupation and cultivation from 1635 to the present, the site has that potential to contribute to many topics of interest to historical archaeologists working in New England and elsewhere, including questions about ideological and practical aspects of landscape and land use; changing agricultural practice and the effects of agricultural reform; farm tenancy; the archaeology of the household and homelot; relationships between urban and rural contexts in early …

The Archaeology Of Agriculture And Rural Life In Northern Delaware, 1800-1940, Lu Ann De Cunzo

Northeast Historical Archaeology

Like our colleagues across the Northeast, Delaware archaeologists have been challenged by the state's thousands of 19th- through 20th-century agricultural sites. They range from larger farms to small tenancies and laborers' dwellings; many remain at least partially extant, many others survive only below ground. This article introduces the character and diversity, continuity and transformations of 19th- through mid 20th-century Delaware agriculture and rural life, and archaeologists' contributions to our understanding of these phenomena. Narratives of selected agricultural properties and people from New Castle County's Upper Coastal Plain illustrate the approach and the knowledge it has produced, with special emphases on …

Reducing The Cost Of Soil Mapping In Precision Agriculture, Elizabeth Gillins, Dr. Ruth Kerry

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Using electrical conductivity data (ECa) in soil survey is related to several soil properties. Particular use has been made of ECa data in precision agriculture because it is related to properties that could affect crop yield. Although theoretically sound reasons exist to explain these relationships, they vary spatially, making ECa data interpretation difficult, even within fields.

Aamodt Litigation Settlement Agreement (Pueblos Of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso & Tesuque), United States, State Of New Mexico, Pueblo Of Tesuque, Pueblo Of San Ildefonso, Pueblo Of Nambé, Pueblo Of Pojoaque

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Settlement Agreement: Aamodt Litigation Settlement Agreement (Apr. 19, 2012). 66cv06639, USDC, DCNM. (final signatures Mar. 27,2013) Parties: Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso & Tesuque, US, NM, Santa Fe County, City of Santa Fe. The key provisions of the Aamodt settlement include: 1) constructing a Regional Water System; 2) providing non-Indians a choice of whether to join the settlement and upon joining, a choice of whether to connect to the Regional Water System for domestic water; 3) relinquishment of existing Pueblo claims against non-Indians who join the Settlement; 4) closing the Pojoaque Basin to new water right development following the …

Extent Of Agroforestry Extension Programs In The United States, Michael Jacobsen, Shiba Kar

Journal of Extension

An email survey of Extension professionals across the United States was carried out in 2011 to learn about agroforestry Extension programs. The most common agroforestry practices were riparian buffers, windbreaks, and forest farming. Programs provided some degree of effectiveness and success, but numerous obstacles to more widespread adoption were noted. Critical factors include an appreciation of interest in agroforestry, availability of markets and resources such as personnel and funding, having a dedicated program within each state, and having an active schedule of trainings, demonstrations, and other educational opportunities. Extension is in a unique position to facilitate promotion of agroforestry.

West Virginia High School Guidance Counselors Perceptions And Interactions With Agricultural Education Programs In Their Schools, Nicole Riggle Shipman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Guidance or vocational counselors have a strong influence over student placement in agricultural education programs. A descriptive research design using a mailed questionnaire was used for this study to determine methods used by West Virginia high school guidance counselors to determine student placement in agricultural education classes. The study found that a majority of the guidance counselors do not have an agricultural background. A majority of the counselors report enrolling students in agricultural programs regardless of their college or career goals. Counselors view agricultural teachers as concerned for students' achievement and personal growth and believe agricultural educators should be involved …

China And The Northeast Region: Agricultural Machinery, Kelsey White

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Using Chinese government statistical data, relevant laws and policy regulations, and current market projections, this report aims to help new-to-market U.S. exporters understand the development of the agricultural machinery market in China and the Northeast region, identifying both challenges and opportunities.

With a vast land area and diverse topography, China is one of the world's top agricultural producers. Agriculture accounts for about 11% of China's GDP and more than 40% of China's employment. Over the past several years, China has been increasing its agricultural mechanization in an effort to move from traditional to modern farming. The central government has been …

Private Agri-Food Standards: Supply Chains And The Governance Of Standards, Elizabeth Ransom, Carmen Bain, Vaughan Higgins

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

The articles in this second special issue of the International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food on private agri-food standards consider key issues involved in the shift from government to governance within agri-food systems. The first special issue, published in February 2013, focused on ‘the contestation, hybridity and the politics of standards’ (Bain et al., 2013, p. 1). The articles in the first issue complicated our understanding of the relationship between public and private standards by examining the politics associated with their formation, implementation, and outcomes. At the same time, the first special issue drew attention to the diversity …

Food Court, Jason J. Czarnezki

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This article, focusing on produce and grain, discusses the environmental and climate change impacts of food production, processing, packaging, and distribution, which ultimately contribute to both economic and social costs. The article addresses environmental energy costs in the food supply. Figure 1 shows, for example, the significant amount of energy used in various aspects of food production, transportation, and processing.

Much of this article's focus will be on commodity crops. Along with wheat and rice, corn and soybeans constitute the world's most popular planted and consumed crops. The United States is the leading producer of corn, growing nearly 40 percent …

Scaling Of Crop Diversity And Optimal Allocation Of Foodshed Infrastructure, Michael Chang

Biology ETDs

Food hubs are organizations that manage the aggregation and distribution of local products, and are a small, but growing means to satisfy high demand for diverse, healthy diets. However, economic barriers inhibit small producers and distributors from developing mainstream, local consumer alternatives to industrial-scale products. To build foodshed, distribution hubs could help overcome these challenges by reducing costs through shared refrigeration, processing, and transportation infrastructure. However, there is no theory to help plan them. I present and test theory to allocate foodshed infrastructure based on insight by Dunn, et al. (2011) that Shannon diversity measured relative to a whole set …

Devine, Lillian K., 1895-1990 (Mss 463), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 463. Farm ledgers for the Devine family farm in Grass Township, Spencer County, Indiana, as well as personal daily dairies of Lillian K. Devine, 1960-1981.

Slides: Is There A Dust Bowl In Our Future?: Projections For The Eastern Rockies And Central Great Plains, Dennis Ojima

Water, Climate and Uncertainty: Implications for Western Water Law, Policy, and Management (Summer Conference, June 11-13)

Presenter: Dennis Ojima, Senior Research Scientist, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University (NREL/CSU)

30 slides

Information In Formation: Cognition Inspired Objects And Furniture, Katherine Marsh

Theses

For this thesis, I intend to identify subject matters that reflect my interpretation of modern, relevant accounts about the world. Through research into the chosen subjects, I will gather related data and observations. This information will be processed to formulate relationships and narrative. Such graphic displays of information for these stories will be my inspiration. My interpretations will be further realized visually through my design process. Archetypes of the proposed furniture or object will be chosen based on the potential relationship between them and the chosen narrative topic. Visual abstractions and patterns will emerge from inspiration derived from the topographical …

Pesticide Regulation Differences Of The U.S., Chile, And Mexico On Imported Berries, Kayla Felicia Gardener

Agribusiness

Growing consumer demand for knowledge in the area of food safety and producer accountability on what is applied to fresh produce is resulting in a greater need for transparency in the industry. Additionally, the demand for safe, fresh produce year round has led to extensive international trade and consumers to wonder if imported produce is of the same quality of that in produced in the U.S. The study analyzes the differences and similarities between pesticide application tolerance standards, and labels for applied use on berries produced in the U.S., Mexico, and Chile. This is done by reviewing tolerance information and …

Diseases At The Livestock–Wildlife Interface: Status, Challenges, And Opportunities In The United States, Ryan S. Miller, Mathew L. Farnsworth, Jennifer L. Malmberg

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

In the last half century, significant attention has been given to animal diseases; however, our understanding of disease processes and how to manage them at the livestock–wildlife interface remains limited. In this study, we conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature to evaluate the status of diseases at the livestock–wildlife interface in the United States. Specifically, the goals of the literature review were three fold: first to evaluate domestic animal diseases currently found in the United States where wildlife may play a role; second to identify critical issues faced in managing these diseases at the livestock–wildlife interface; and third …

The Contribution Of Finance To Agricultural Production In Nigeria, O. M. Mbutor, R. E. Ochu, I. I. Okafor

Economic and Financial Review

Several studies have found a positive correlation between agricultural financing and the performance of the agricultural sector. But fewer efforts have been directed at sieving out the agricultural output that is exclusively associated with the extent of funding. This study aimed to ascertain the actual portion of total agricultural output that could be attributed to agricultural financing in Nigeria. The vector error correction methodology was applied following the nature of data properties. The results showed a positive effect of finance on agricultural output. However, variance decomposition revealed the poor state of agricultural financing with a disproportionate dependence of the sector …

Carter, Tim Lee, 1910-1987 (Mss 80), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 80. Correspondence, photographs, audiotapes, film, clippings, general office files, and records of legislative proceedings relating to the political career of Tim Lee Carter, U.S. Representative (Republican) for Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, 1965-1981.

Animal Housing Legislation, Kelli Kirtley

Student Papers in Public Policy

Legislation relating to animal housing has been a recent topic of interest in the policy arena. Relatively speaking, it is considered a novel issue; however, this legislation has existed for several years. It is only recently that public outcry has turned the attention of policymakers to confined animal housing.

Measure For Measure And The Discourse Of Husbandry, Benjamin Bertram Phd

Faculty Publications

The article explores early modern husbandry, which are more focused on encouraging its readers to lead pious, productive and economical lives. In "Measure for Measure," by William Shakespeare, the play centers on the rise of state husbandry as it focused on the parallels between Duke Vincentio and James I and views of sex and marriage. According to the author, there are two competing views of sex in the work including Lucio's pleasurable economy that resists the order of state husbandry.

Project Knowledge Of 4-H Members Who Participated In The Equine Skillathon At The West Virginia State Fair, Kolby Denae Wyant

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An Equine Skillathon is conducted annually at the West Virginia State Fair in Department F that is open to 4-H and FFA members. At the 2012 West Virginia State Fair, a descriptive research study was done utilizing the Equine Skillathon as the method of instrumentation. The study was conducted to assess the fundamental equine knowledge of junior and senior 4-H members who participated in the 2012 State Fair Equine Skillathon in the five categories of breed identification, conformation, body and hoof parts, as well as feed identification. The data was collected from the participating 4-H members' score sheets and used …

The Limits To Complexity: A Thermodynamic History Of Bioenergy, Adam J. Liska, Casey D. Heier

Adam Liska Papers

The history of civilization is biased toward the use of bioenergy because of the biophysics of life and the structure of our natural environment. Energy physically drives the creation and maintenance of complex systems, which is shown here from simple molecular structures to empires. Only a fraction of the complexity currently supported by fossil fuels can be maintained using the energy in plant biomass alone, which is limited by global net primary productivity. From the dawn of civilization, agricultural land has always been used for energy for transportation, via feed for animals, and there has always been a trade-off between …

Nutritional And Economic Analysis Of Small-Scale Agriculture In Imbabura, Ecuador, Jake Erickson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Intervention projects in the developing world normally aim to satisfy either the nutritional needs of a group, or advancing the economic stability, but not both. One of the many issues that may arise by narrowly focusing and creating an aid program is that although a group may be fed, they are not equipped to mitigate risks that will arise after project completion and thus continue or revert back to a malnourished state. A bridge is required to join the economic and nutritional programs to create aid interventions that are sustainable past the point of donor separation.

This paper proposes the …

The Southeast In Context: An Assessment Of The Trauma Associated With Agriculture, Martin Welker

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Hunter-gatherer tradition prevailed as the dominant subsistence pattern for most of human history. Between 9,000 and 13,000 years ago peoples in the Levant, New World, and Asia began the domestication and cultivation of wild flora and fauna, creating a subsistence pattern that subsequently spread to neighboring regions (Abbo et al. 2010; Bellwood 2009; Purugganan & Fuller 2009; Richerson et al. 2001). The influence of this agricultural transition on human populations is manifested in various forms in the human skeleton, many of which have received intensive study: dental caries, degenerative joint disease, decreased stature, and increased birth rates (Bridges 1991; Larson …

Botanical Resource Use In The Bronze And Iron Age Of The Central Eurasian Mountain/Steppe Interface: Decision Making In Multiresource Pastoral Economies, Robert Nicholas Spengler

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

This dissertation examines botanical resources as components of Central Asian economies in the Bronze: ca. 2500 - 800 B.C.) and Iron Ages: ca. 800 B.C. - A.D. 500) using a paleoethnobotanical data set from four archaeological sites, Begash, Mukri, Tasbas, and Tuzusai. These sites are located in the Semirech'ye region of eastern Kazakhstan, and they occupy distinctive microenvironmental zones along the mountain and steppe boundaries; furthermore, they show a great deal of material cultural similarity and are placed into the same culture groups by researchers. The introduction of macrobotanical studies to Central Asian archaeology allows for a critique of former …

Perceptions Of The Underrepresentation Of Women In Agriculture And Motives For Movement Into The Industry, Jennifer Long

Honors Projects

In the U.S., agriculture has historically been a male-dominated industry. Women have been underrepresented in agriculture even as they have played important roles on and off the farm. In the last 25 years, however, women have been moving into agriculture and increasing their visibility in positions on and off the farm even in light of structural changes to agriculture and environmental concerns. Learning motives for moves into the industry can help supply information about the changing roles of women in agriculture and help determine whether agricultural trends follow other occupational trends. Giving a voice to women that have been underrepresented …

A Portrait Of A Farm: A Short Film Documenting Small-Scale Livestock Production On Hayters Hill Farm In Byron Bay, Noah Throop

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Over the past two-hundred years, the industrialization and mechanization of agriculture has slowly dissolved the centuries-old bond between human beings, the land and their food. Today, this disconnect threatens to exacerbate wide scale environmental degradation and a wide array of chronic diseases. However small, local farms that sell their produce directly to consumers are in a position to reverse this trend and reconnect consumers with their food. Small-scale farmers are able to see the health of the environment as instrumental to their economic and personal wellbeing and are able to be held accountable for their farming practices by their customers. …