From: ssouther@ent1.ent.ncsu.edu (P. Sterling Southern)
Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture
Subject: Real-world solutions
Date: 6 Nov 92 20:59:26 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Entomology - NCSU, Raleigh, NC
Originator: ssouther@ent1.ent.ncsu.edu

Gil stated earlier:

>A question arises here concerning the matter of funding priorities. I
>do appreciate the nature of the academic phenomenon referred to as the
>"knowledge explosion", but one could argue that this has come about
>through a relatively unlimited allocation of resources to answering
>every conceivable question which ever arose in the mind of every
>scholar, rather than as a "natural result of an evolving science".
>One might ask also whether such questions arise from the asking of
>other questions in cloistered academic debate, or whether they arise
>from the analysis of empirical data.....
>
>Perhaps knowing what is relevant, what is useful and important, as
>informed by the ongoing consultation with real people facing real
>problems out there in the real world for which a fresh, innovative
>and wholly inquisitive US academe was once renowned and respected,
>would alter the situation somewhat.

To which Don replied in part:

>In other words, the segment of our organization which deals with farmers 
>directly is being driven by the requests/needs/desires of farmers themselves,
>not the academics. This group of professionals does occasionally draw on 
>knowledge from academics, but the one thing they do NOT do is jump to 
>immediately implement whatever hair-brained scheme some student has come up 
>with... information coming from this group is very carefully considered,
>and if a given specialist has a problem that he/she is not sure about, I am
>here to assure you that our professionals collaborate with each other in 
>order that they deliver the best solution that they can.

I agree with Don's comments.  Faculty (especially but not limited to
Extension faculty) at most land-grant institutions with which I am
familiar are very nearly overwhelmed by input from the end-users of
technology.  Some examples of the type of interactions include: 1)
working with growers, householders, etc. to diagnose and solve problems,
2) discussion sessions with commodity groups to review programs, 3)
grant applications to commodity groups, industry, etc. 4) interaction with
citizen advisory panels set up to provide direction to Extension
programs - we have over 25,000 citizens on state and local advisory
committees here in N.C., 5) tests and demonstrations on commercial farms with
grower help and input - many dozens of locations annually, 6) educational 
sessions - with feedback - for farmers.   As a part-time administrator, I
can assure you we spend a great deal of time answering to individual
farmers, commodity associations, legislators and others as to the
real-world value of our research and educational programs.  

This is not to claim perfection.  There are some voices we don't hear
well enough and certainly some research is not likely to pay off.
However, most of the folks with whom I work are by inclination and
necessity (source of funds) tied closely to developing real-world
solutions to real-world problems (including the development of tools
necessary to sustainable agriculture). 


DISCLAIMER:  The opinions and ideas expressed in this communication are
my own and should not be interpreted as representing those of my
employer.  In making these statements, I am acting personally and not  
in any official capacity.
-- 
| Sterling Southern, NCSU-Entomology, Box 7613, Raleigh NC 27695-7613   |
|=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=|
| Voice: (919) 515-2703      |  CAROLINE: ssouther@ent1                 |
| FAX:   (919) 515-7746      |  INTERNET: ssouthern@ent.ncsu.edu        | 
Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture