In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, a quiet revolution is brewing, one that could reshape how we think about food security, rural development, and even the energy sector. The Palouse bioregion, a rolling landscape of farms and fields, is at the center of a study that offers a roadmap for scaling up local and regional food systems (LRFSs). This research, led by Soren Newman from the University of Idaho, delves into the complexities and opportunities of building more resilient food systems in the face of climate change, pandemics, and geopolitical uncertainties.
Newman’s work, published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, explores how to make local and regional food systems more robust and sustainable. The study, which surveyed landowners and interviewed producers, resource managers, and other stakeholders, reveals a landscape of both tension and opportunity. The Palouse, known for its wheat fields, is a microcosm of the challenges and possibilities facing many regions. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in local food systems, but scaling them up is no easy task,” Newman explains. “There are land and water constraints, diverse stakeholders, and multiple, sometimes conflicting, land-use goals.”
One of the key findings is the potential for complementarity between small-scale produce and large-scale commodity systems. Rather than viewing them as competitors, the study suggests that these systems can support each other, creating a more sustainable and resilient food network. For instance, short food supply chains and values-based supply chains for artisan grains can leverage and support both types of production. This hybrid approach could have significant implications for the energy sector, as more localized food systems often require less energy for transportation and storage.
Land access is another critical factor. The survey identified over 1,000 acres potentially available for growing produce for LRFSs. Landowners in the region expressed a diverse set of values and orientations towards agriculture, which shapes land access and provides opportunities for different approaches. “Landowners are not just looking at the bottom line,” Newman notes. “They have a range of values that can be tapped into for more sustainable agricultural practices.”
Water supply is another constraint, but not an insurmountable one. The study highlights the potential for water-efficient irrigation practices and pond development to improve agricultural, hydrologic, and habitat conditions. This could lead to more sustainable farming practices that are less reliant on energy-intensive irrigation methods.
The study’s findings suggest that conflict, dialectic, and hybridization can help each scale of production become more environmentally and economically sustainable. This could lead to a more resilient food system that is better equipped to handle disruptions, whether they come from climate change, pandemics, or other sources.
As we look to the future, Newman’s research offers a glimpse into how we can build more resilient and sustainable food systems. By understanding the complexities and opportunities in regions like the Palouse, we can develop strategies that work for both small-scale producers and large-scale commodity systems. This could have far-reaching implications for the energy sector, as more localized and sustainable food systems require less energy and have a lower carbon footprint.
The study, published in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, is a call to action for policymakers, farmers, and consumers alike. It’s a reminder that building a more sustainable future is not just about technology or policy, but about understanding the complex interplay of people, land, and water. As Newman puts it, “We need to think holistically about our food systems. It’s not just about producing more food, but about producing food in a way that is sustainable, resilient, and beneficial for all stakeholders.”