This analysis will evaluate different grassland restoration strategies and cattle ranching practices. First this analysis will assess why cattle ranching and grasslands have been compromised, evaluate what techniques are currently being used to solve grassland desertification, consider new electroculture grass growth technology, and finally examine a prototype and license business model of a new prospective electroculture technology for cattle ranchers...

Currently, the northeast region is in the midst of a grain renaissance spurred by the work of dedicated farmers, millers, and bakers, who are profoundly passionate about grains, such as spelt, rye, and einkorn. This introductory guide is intended to provide home bakers and other interested consumers with the opportunity to learn more about regional grain history, the new grainshed, how grains are transformed from seed-to-flour, and baking with local...

The lack of access to environmental education and experiences for children today is a serious concern. The purpose of the capstone project was to produce instructional materials to support the environmental educational programs provided by the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. I used my experience from volunteering and working at the DPEEC for a year to develop a species guide of local mammals to go along with a lesson plan focusing on the...

This capstone is a brief study of how four successful but different food hub models began. It also considers basic data regarding food hubs, vulnerabilities of a transportation-based food system, and economic, ecological, and ethical barriers to their creation and success of food hubs. It continues with a brief analysis of Iowa and Linn Co. Iowa's current food systems. Finally, this analysis concludes with a recommendation of how Linn Co. can strategically...

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched in 1977. Since then they have traveled farther than any human object. Voyager 1 is now over 10 billion miles from the sun and is headed to the utmost boundary of our solar system. This book, originally published under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, tells the story of their journey through the solar system and beyond. The authors' unparalleled access to NASA archives and imagery make this authoritative...

This study is the first to identify variations in cyanobacteria concentrations over space and time in Rhode Island urban lakes. Two small lakes were sampled weekly throughout August and September 2014 at three separate locations. For Mashapaug Pond, but not Slacks Reservoir, a visible bloom was present for most of this sampling period. 100 mL samples were obtained, frozen, and analyzed using a direct-injection tandem quadrupole MS/MS detector for...

As the local food movement continues to grow, new farmers are faced with a variety of choices that could "make or break" their farm business. Small businesses in particular are at great risk of failing within the first 4 years, often due to their lack of planning (Penn State Extension 2009). The first half of this report will analyze the business choices of five small-scale farms in order to determine which choices add or detract from their overall...

The development of this project stems from a seemingly insignificant consideration, or in some cases, outright absence, of cultures influence within the broad conversation about efforts to shape food systems. Sustainable food systems are affected by psychology, sociology, and ethnography thus making this factor critical. Food systems are impacted, in both historical and modern terms, and from bio-cultural and cross-cultural perspectives these socio-cultural...

Climate warming in the Arctic has potentially broad implications for human health and food security, especially in rural areas. Individuals and communities are working on adaptation actions that help to lessen the stress from climate change and improve local food security. This paper is a systematic literature review of projects at the nexus of climate change and food security in Arctic Alaska and the broader circumpolar Arctic. Projects identified...