| Saving the People, Saving the Land |
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| Sunday, 07 September 2008 | |
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By Jay E. Howe, Free Press Field Editor Reprinted with permission from Page 2A Adair County Free Press August 20, 2008 Last Saturday was the 10th anniversary of when 1000 Friends of Iowa was founded to 1) conserve and protect farmland and natural areas, 2) revitalize neighborhoods, towns and cities and 3) improve Iowa’s natural environment. It was celebrated at the Ankeny grain-livestock farm of Craig and LaVon Griffieon. From their farmstead you can view south to sprawling urban development upon lands that are the richest in the world, with corn suitability ratings well over 90. The roof of the mega-church rises just down the gravel road, making one wonder if its parishioners have read Isaiah 5:8-10, where the prophet admonishes us to respect the land as sacred creation or eventually be impoverished. There is a small yet growing “green” movement to reverse the eco-collapse of Iowa’s countryside that accelerated in the 70s with the advent of much larger farm implements and widespread chemical use. In 1800 Iowa was 80% natural prairie, 18% woodland, 2% water surface. It was naturally sustainable. Today two-thirds of the land is planted to corn and bean rotation and life-giving natural processes are under assault. Things are out of balance. |
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