The Next Revolution on the Land

Forty years ago, in the days of frozen dinners and canned vegetables, who would have imagined that the Twin Cities would support nearly a dozen food cooperatives and whole foods groceries selling primarily organic foods? Or that the concept of community supported agriculture - where small local farms provide a weekly box of organic food to subscribers - would proliferate as it has? Or the explosion in popularity of farmers markets, where consumers can shake hands with the farmer who produced their food? Or that sales of organic foods would enjoy a 20-25% annual increase over the last decade and show no signs of slowing down?

It took a lot of creativity and hard work from farmers, processors and retailers, but the organic foods industry has shown that an alternative vision of production and consumption is possible and it can thrive in the marketplace. And as conventional commodity agriculture in the Midwest continues to struggle with extremely low prices and failing federal farm programs, this alternative vision will continue to grow in farms and acres.

Given the opportunity, people often choose products that provide greater social or economic benefits, even at a premium. From fuel-efficient cars to long distance phone service to cleaning products, market niches for these types of products are growing. Yet one sector in particular appears ready to transform an industry: renewable energy.

The environmental problems associated with fossil fuels - mercury emissions, acid rain, smog and greenhouse gases - are well known. Renewable energy sources, on the other hand, are not only emission free, they provide environmental and economic benefits. In parts of Minnesota, it's not uncommon to see wind turbines on agricultural land, taking up little space and allowing farmers to get income from producing crops and electricity. Biomass energy, which often combusts plant matter for energy, creates a market for soil-building perennial crops like switchgrass. Capturing methane from manure creates a renewable energy source and a high quality, composted fertilizer.

But there is a marketing problem. Unlike other products where consumers can simply go to a store and choose more sustainable products, electricity providers can't supply multiple outlets for different energy sources. So consumers have advocated for creative policies that foster a renewable energy market. The city of Chicago, for example, recently signed an agreement with the local utility to purchase 10% of their electricity from renewable resources, which will increase to 20% in five years. Innovative policies like this are popping up around the country.

Now it looks like the federal government is stepping up to play a larger role. President Bush just signed a farm bill that, even though it contains several provisions of concern to environmentalists and small farm advocates, does include a couple of gems. One of them is an energy title that provides grants and low-interest loans to farmers so that they can obtain the capital for renewable energy projects. The energy bill, currently in debate, will likely mandate that 10% of U.S. energy production be derived from renewable sources by 2020. Although both the farm bill's energy title and the energy bill renewable energy provision are modest, they may provide the seeds for a proliferation of the new industry.

Even more exciting is what is happening at the local level. The community-owned Moorhead Public Service (MPS) introduced a "Capture the Wind" wind energy program, which provides customers the option of paying a slight premium to fund wind energy projects. About seven percent of MPS's customers participate in the program and the program has been so successful that a second turbine is currently under construction. In Northfield, a new group called ReNew Northfield is fostering the city's transition to renewable energy through educational projects and a proposed 2 megawatt wind turbine near the middle school. And even in the heart of Minneapolis, the newly formed Phillips Neighborhood Energy Cooperative will be exploring ways to promote conservation and possibly construct a biomass cogeneration facility in the Phillips Neighborhood.

A new state law passed last year will help foster these initiatives. Minnesota utilities are now required to provide customers with the option of green power. The state's largest provider, Xcel Energy, is planning to introduce a "green pricing" program this summer that will allow customers to pay a monthly premium for part or all of their electricity use to support the development of new wind power projects.

Greater use of renewable energy can only mean good things for our food and farming system. First, replacing fossil fuels reduces airborne pollutants that contaminate our food. Second, renewable energy provides a new market for farmers and land owners, diversifying Midwest cropping systems. Third, renewable energy tends to be much more decentralized than traditional energy sources, providing more economic benefits to local economies. We've created a new future for food production. Now is the time to use our consumer power to create a clean energy future.