Por Marie Powell, ex empleada.
En la penúltima publicación de nuestra cuenta regresiva de los 10 mejores informes de investigación rural, nos inspiramos en el legado de grandes figuras. El informe de hoy, #ThrowbackThursday (#tbt), mostró cómo se debe realizar la investigación práctica en las explotaciones agrícolas. Y al hacerlo, sembró las semillas del liderazgo del movimiento nacional de agricultura sostenible.
#2 Small Farm Energy Primer: An Energy Saving Tool to Assist Small Farmers
by the Center’s Small Farm Energy Project, 1980
The Center’s groundbreaking work in practical on-farm research began in 1976 with the Small Farm Energy Project. This 3-year research and demonstration effort involved 48 cooperating farms. Half agreed to innovate with alternative energy projects on their farms; half pledged not to. Both groups kept detailed records.
The project showed how small commercial farmers could reduce purchased energy inputs and improve net farm income by using alternative energy technologies. It taught people that despite world events, they could control a portion of their businesses and their lives. The process of learning, doing, and public demonstrations formed leaders who helped build the national sustainable agriculture movement.
Principales Conclusiones
- Farmers built energy innovations using locally available materials that were low-cost, easy to maintain, and applicable to a variety of farm energy needs. Projects included solar, wood, wind and alcohol energy, heat exchange, and composting.
- Farmers who used innovative technologies and conservation consumed 13% less energy than the matched group that did not, and spent 17% less money on energy while maintaining production levels.
- Although solar devices received the most publicity, simple energy conservation devices and practices resulted in most of the energy savings by the cooperating group.
Descargue nuestra Manual energético para pequeñas granjas aquí.
