Sustainable farming and food systems is topic of October Olson seminar

            "Future farming and food systems in the Great Plains will be designed for resource-limited conditions where water, fossil fuels, phosphorus and arable land will all be more scarce than today," said Charles "Chuck" Francis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln agronomy professor.

            Francis will discuss "Sustainable Farming and Food Systems in the Great Plains" at an Oct. 17 Paul A. Olson Seminar from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St. Sponsored by the Center for Great Plains Studies, the seminar is free and open to the public.

            "Future biodiverse and complex systems must be sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change and variability," Francis said. "Coupled with productivity, additional demands from society must be met: a livable environment, a degree of economic equity and social justice, a viable rural infrastructure, and ecosystem services from both natural and farmed areas. Education that leads to envisioning potential alternative future scenarios and systems in agriculture will be essential to sustain food production and quality of life in the Great Plains."

            In addition to his teaching and research duties at UNL, Francis has conducted field work and taught courses in more than 50 countries, including Colombia, the Philippines and Norway. His research covers bio-diverse crop rotations, integrated crop/animal systems, peri-urban farming and food systems, and non-chemical production strategies.

            For more information or accommodation, contact the center at 402-472-3082 or visit www.unl.edu/plains.

Writer: Linda Ratcliffe, Center for Greate Plains Studies, 402-472-3965