Wednesday, march 19. 1930
daily nebraskart
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New rural culture group 'mot for farmers only 9
By Patti Gallagher
A new campus organization U trying to dispel that
age-old notion that groups dealing with agriculture are
for farmers only. Members of the Agriculture and
Rural Development Study Croup are quick to say they
are "not just farmers.
Current members encompass five different academic
areas and originate from 16 different countries.
Even in discussing their group and its topics, three
members from three different disciplines often
expressed three different ideas. But, they agree, this is
precisely why the. group was started.
The group formed at the beginning of this semester
and has recruited about 20 to 25 members, according
to chairman Don Buchleiter. They meet each Friday
at East Campus Union.
Students often "develop blinders," Buchleiter said,
in concentrating on one area of agriculture. The group
is attempting to publicize many factors involved in
agriculture.
According to group member Jeff Heinrich, they em
phasize a "holistic approach to development."
Attempt to define technology
One topic of concern for the group is defining
'appropriate technology." Heinrich said that one
definition is "technology that relies on local energy
sources, but factors such as size, location, land
conditions and resource availability of a farm all
determine what would be appropriate.
In discussing appropriate technology, the group
moves its scope to the international arena. Heinrich
said. The United States often tries to transfer its tech-
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nology -"developed in the U.S. for the U.S. cultures
overseas, where it would not be appropriate in foreign
farming conditions, he said.
According to group member Azzeddine M. Azzam,
in the United States appropriate technology would
be that which does not use a tot of nonrenewable
resources.
1
Azzam defines appropriate technology as "that
which uses local resources, local initiative, without
heavy reliance on technological inputs which may
prove alien to a society."
Defining what is appropriate for any given farmer
becomes a problem because it is "very value connect
ed," according to Buchleiter.
Different views
Each sector of academia looks at things differently,
he said. The agricultural engineer looks at the physical
feasibility, the agricultural economist at the price, and
the agronomist at yield increase. The combinations of
all disciplines will always be the most successful, he
added.
Because politics of development are a major
influence in agriculture, Buchleiter said, the first group
speaker was a UNL professor of political science.
The decisions for farming are usually made by an
elite minority, according to Azzam, while the farming
majority has little input in decisions that affect it. He
added that this is especially true in foreign countries,
where farming may be the livelihood for 90 percent
of the population but the remaining 10 percent make
decisions about their farming practices.
Buchleiter said the group will discuss more than just
farming, and therefore have included the rural label in
their title. There is a whole range of activities in rural
culture, unique to its environment, yet separate from
agriculture. Problems of sanitation, water and home
power are topics he said he'd like the group to cover.
Recognition sought
Currently the group follows a discussion-speech for
mat, Buchleiter said, but hopes that in the future work
study programs and distribution of resource literature
will be initiated.
Future speakers will talk on development problems
in Colombia, in less developed countries, research
needs in choosing technologies, and definitions of
appropriate technology.
The group has not been recognized as an official
UNL organization, Buchleiter said, and is operating on
"temporary status.' They have drafted a constitution
that will be reviewed at the next group meeting, and
hope to receive official recognition before the
semester's end, he said.
Group members agreed it is odd that UNL has not
yet formed a group of this nature, and Azzam
estimates their chances of success at 99 percent.
After all, he said, "We are dealing with things that
affect millions and millions of people."
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