Sunday, November 12, 2006
8-5

Sustainable Agriculture: "Let's Spread the Word".

Stephanie Rahn, Charlie Nealis, and Dani Lowenstein. Univ of Florida, Agronomy Dept, 701 SW 62nd Blvd Apt 122, Gainesville, FL 32607

The public is generally unaware of agriculture's impacts on the environment and therefore unconcerned about agricultural sustainability.  For this reason, it is imperative that the academic community communicate the need for sustainability in agriculture in a way that is understandable to the public.  The University of Florida Agronomy and Soils Club created an exhibit in order to educate the public on the importance of agricultural practices that are socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable.  The club researched sustainable agriculture, created an exhibit that explained its meaning, and displayed the information at various University functions open to the public.  The exhibit was also shown at a lecture given by Dr. John Ikerd and at an open house sponsored by the University of Florida's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.  Club members were able to have group, as well as one-on-one discussions with a broad range of audiences from high school students to professors with PhD's.  By presenting the display at various functions, the club reached people of many different ages and educational levels and communicated the need for a sustainable agriculture that is based on social, economic, and ecological soundness.