Recommendations for Soil and Water Conservation Programs

The United States Department of Agriculture employs soil and water conservation programs to assist with the sustainable use of natural resources in balance with economic vitality in rural America. This capstone project analyzed soil and water conservation programs to identify strengths, weaknesses, and methods to maximize environmental benefits. There are many requirements for participation in these programs which are difficult for most agricultural producers to comprehend. Research indicates in order to accomplish the goals of federal conservation programs and assist individuals, a method must be developed to effectively present information in a concise manner. This capstone project created a communicative measure, a template, to disseminate pertinent knowledge on soil and water conservation programs, thereby filling a void in existing literature.

A Case Study of the Economic and Environmental Impacts from a Bio-fuel Facility (Southwest Georgia Ethanol, LLC) on the Surrounding Communities, Southwest Georgia

Bio-fuels such as ethanol provide an extraordinary opportunity to address our dependency on foreign oil. This case study examines the economic and environmental impacts associated with constructing and operating a dry mill ethanol manufacturing facility in a Southwest Georgia town and surrounding communities. The case study found that the plant had little impact on air quality, water quality, and habitat fragmentation. However, economic results showed the plant produced $1.5 million in tax revenues, and 86 jobs. Ethanol producers and communities must consider both the economic and environmental impacts on a local community when searching or attracting a bio-fuels plant. Likewise, communities should be aware of these challenges when attracting ethanol production plants.

Policy Changes to the Federal and State Management of Subsistence Hunting and Fishing in Alaska

Subsistence in Alaska is currently being impacted by naturally occurring factors such as global warming, species migration shifts, and the declination of fishery and wildlife populations. Not only are external factors pressuring the debate, management strategies from the dual management operation appear to have failed. The current national focus has been centered on federal policy changes regarding subsistence. This project extends the federal subsistence review process into the state management of subsistence and provides practical solutions for enhancing both policy programs.