Justin is a typical acre of Midwest cropland surrounded by thousands of other acres in a standard corn, soybean and hay crop rotation. (Heavy on the corn and beans!) He is worked hard and can feel he’s slowly losing his vitality due to erosion and almost relentless tillage.
After decades of this type of existence, Justin began to ask himself if this was all anyone would ever ask of him. “I’m sure I can make more of myself if given the chance,” he thought. So he set off to a soils job fair to see what he might become.
Outside the job fair tent Doug Inn was handing out leaflets urging land parcels to boycott the fair. “Look, why rock the boat? We’ve been doing the same thing for decades. Just stick with a formula that works,” Doug urged. But Justin thought about today’s world and wasn’t convinced that “the same old thing” is such a great idea. So he headed inside.
Right away, Ethan All waved him over. “Looking for a change? You should jump on the ‘let’s lower CO2 emissions’ bandwagon and grow corn for ethanol production. It’s the latest thing! You’re Justin Acre right? Corn from an acre like you can produce enough ethanol to power a car 12,000 miles for a whole year!” Ethan boasted.
But Justin shook his head and approached the next booth where Aggie Voltaic greeted him. Justin explained his hopes to do more than just grow corn for food or for fuel. “Great! That’s what we offer – agrivoltaics,” said Aggie. “There’s a growing movement to add solar arrays to farm land in such a way as to also allow for growing crops or grazing animals on the same acre of soil.”
Justin was intrigued, but just then Electra Carr glided across the floor. He was entranced and followed her. “I suppose Ethan told you about his product fueling one car for 12,000 miles. Right?” Electra asked. “But picture yourself covered with solar panels. You’d power not just ONE electric car for 12,000 miles; you’d power SEVENTY-FIVE electric cars for 12,000 miles each! And a pollinator planting under the panels would help you re-gain your lost vitality,” Electra winked.
“Wow! I CAN do more to build a better world, and I must,” Justin realized, “because this our only home. It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
After decades of this type of existence, Justin began to ask himself if this was all anyone would ever ask of him. “I’m sure I can make more of myself if given the chance,” he thought. So he set off to a soils job fair to see what he might become.
Outside the job fair tent Doug Inn was handing out leaflets urging land parcels to boycott the fair. “Look, why rock the boat? We’ve been doing the same thing for decades. Just stick with a formula that works,” Doug urged. But Justin thought about today’s world and wasn’t convinced that “the same old thing” is such a great idea. So he headed inside.
Right away, Ethan All waved him over. “Looking for a change? You should jump on the ‘let’s lower CO2 emissions’ bandwagon and grow corn for ethanol production. It’s the latest thing! You’re Justin Acre right? Corn from an acre like you can produce enough ethanol to power a car 12,000 miles for a whole year!” Ethan boasted.
But Justin shook his head and approached the next booth where Aggie Voltaic greeted him. Justin explained his hopes to do more than just grow corn for food or for fuel. “Great! That’s what we offer – agrivoltaics,” said Aggie. “There’s a growing movement to add solar arrays to farm land in such a way as to also allow for growing crops or grazing animals on the same acre of soil.”
Justin was intrigued, but just then Electra Carr glided across the floor. He was entranced and followed her. “I suppose Ethan told you about his product fueling one car for 12,000 miles. Right?” Electra asked. “But picture yourself covered with solar panels. You’d power not just ONE electric car for 12,000 miles; you’d power SEVENTY-FIVE electric cars for 12,000 miles each! And a pollinator planting under the panels would help you re-gain your lost vitality,” Electra winked.
“Wow! I CAN do more to build a better world, and I must,” Justin realized, “because this our only home. It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
RSS Feed
