Second Civitas lecture features ecologist

As the second installment of their lecture series, the Civitas program will be presenting a speech by Carter Johnson, a professor of ecology at South Dakota State University, at 7 p.m. Monday in the Gilbert Science Center auditorium.

Carter's presentation, entitled "South Dakota's Prairie Farm: An Experiment in Ecological and Economic Sustainability," is co-sponsored by the biology department and will examine a new approach to farming that is currently being conducted on 650 acres between Sioux Falls and Brookings.

"Most measures point out the un-sustainability of our current agricultural systems," Johnson said. "We need to develop and push ahead politically new approaches to farming that reduce soil erosion, increase long-term carbon storage, and recover native ecosystem goods and services."

The goal of the Prairie Farm is to reduce soil erosion, restore the wetlands and enhance native bio-diversity. The farm also produces hay, feedstock for cellulosic biofuels and grass-fed beef.

The lecture will tie into the Civitas course "Reading Augustana" and their study of ecology and the notion of sustainability.

"A responsibility as citizens is to take care of other people and the environment as well," English professor and Civitas director Jeffrey Miller said.

Johnson said that the social responsibility behind his lecture will fit in well with Civitas' emphasis on citizenship.

"Good citizenship requires us to evaluate the ecological costs of our food production systems," Johnson said.

Johnson will also discuss the economic aspects of this environmental project.

"The tall grass prairie has virtually all been plowed up," Carter said. "Bringing it back could produce a better balance between economics and environment."

Miller compared the project to a similar one by philosopher and writer Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau was able to turn a pofit from his home-grown beans in the mid-nineteenth century.

"We should explore the responsibility in farming, and ways of renewing resources, while still remaining economically profitable," Miller said.

Along with economic feasibility is the idea of practical application.

"It's not all about hugging trees and hoping the world gets better," Miller said.

Johnson's visit will also be a personal one for him. As a 1968 alumnus, Johnson looks forward to returning to campus.

"Returning to Augie is always a pleasure because it reminds me of the good times I had and the knowledge I gained while there," Johnson said.

Johnson will also get the chance to see how much Augustana has changed as it celebrates its 150th anniversary.

"I don't see students walking to class in the winter wearing penny loafers and no socks like we foolishly did," Johnson said.

Some things, however, haven't changed.

"The best of Augie hasn't changed," Johnson said. "The freedom to discuss, argue and learn about the important issues of the day."

UPDATE: Dr. Michelle Bartel's lecture "Love, Something a Good Deal More Dangerous: The Power of Subversive Ethics" was postponed due to weather.  Bartel will now present Monday, March 28 at 7 p.m. in GSC 100.