Agriculture and the Environment

Land based food and fiber production and processing is the largest segment of the global and national economy. These activities raise increasingly fundamental environmental questions for every level of government and sector of society. This seminar will address selected environmental issues related to agriculture, including: crop production and conservation, irrigation, drainage, pesticides, and nutrients; livestock operations and soil/water/air quality; open space/habitat preservation; design of federal farm programs; biofuel initiatives; public land utilization; biodiversity; and globalization. Attorneys, scholars, and public officials will be invited classroom guests. Students will prepare papers and may present their topics to the class. Readings will be selected portions of texts, articles, & cases.