My Methodology:
Gathering and Sharing "the Dirt"

I have approached my project mainly from a “learn and share” perspective. I personally find the idea of sustainable agriculture intriguing, specifically in the form of crop rotation. Most of my research has been a combination of interpretive analysis of primary and secondary sources dealing with the practice of crop rotation and the gathering of information through studying various case studies performed in the Midwest region on the effects of crop rotation. I have also explored a broader range of literature dealing with the concepts of sustainable agriculture, the history of American farming, and current agricultural trends of industrial agribusiness and their affect on American society. To gather additional information about the history of agriculture I visited with St. Olaf College professor Gene Bakko, who has been involved with the sustainable agriculture project on the college’s agricultural lands.

Through my exploration into the subject of crop rotation I was able to devise the framework for my project. I realized that there is an abundance of interesting information about sustainable agricultural practices, which prompted me to focus my project mainly on the goal of sharing this knowledge. I begin by introducing the concepts of sustainable agriculture and crop rotation and then delve into their history, modern practices, and effects on American society. I conclude with some suggestions of different sustainable crop rotations for the Midwest region, which I hope prove to be useful and encouraging for those who wish to form a sustainable relationship with their land.