The Visiting Scientists Series at Bismarck State College takes a look at the science of food sustainability in a free public presentation by Annie Carlson at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in the National Energy Center of Excellence auditorium 304.
"Feeding Ourselves First - the Importance of Bioregional Food Sufficiency" explores how local communities and individuals can prepare for what may become a crisis in food availability some day.
Carlson makes the point that agriculture is the state's leading industry and North Dakota leads the nation in food production. But does North Dakota's claim of 'We feed the world' hold impact when 95 percent of grocery products are imported into the state? With rising oil prices, how long will it take large food corporations to decide shipping products to North Dakota is too expensive?
"We may feed the world, but we're not feeding ourselves," Carlson says, "but we can."
Carlson is executive director of Foundation for Agriculture and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability (FARRMS) and operates Morning Joy Farms south of Cleveland, N.D. She graduated from North Dakota State University with double majors in biology and science education. After graduating, she taught physical science at Wachter Middle School for five years and human biology as a BSC adjunct instructor. She then worked as a corporate trainer for Coventry Health Care.
This presentation is sponsored by the Visiting Scientists Series, which includes representatives from Bismarck State College, Bismarck Public Schools, Gateway to Science, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, St. Mary's Central High School, U.S. Geological Survey, University of Mary, and North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers.