“Searching for Sustainability” in Northeast Wisconsin
“Searching for Sustainability”, a documentary produced by Valerie Dantoin and Michael Finney, was screened for the public on August 13 at the Brown County Central Library, where they led a discussion of their film. Valerie, awarded Organic Farmer of the Year 2024 for the Midwest, founded and teaches for NWTC’s Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program. Michael was an Environmental Planner for the Oneida Nation for 28 years. Their film focuses on agriculture and sustainability problems and solutions in northeast Wisconsin while pointing out global environmental and climatic risks and strategies for regeneration.
Valerie talked about her documentary with Ryan Kudish for WFRV’s Sustainabily Speaking series.
A story needs to be told of the concentration of animals here and sustainability of our soil and future of our water. “Searching for Sustainability” tells that story.“
Debra Pearson in her lab in a scene from Searching for Sustainability.
In the film, Debra Pearson, Director of Master of Nutrition & Integrated Health at UW-Green Bay, points out that cows, like people, are what they eat. She points out that research shows that grass-fed beef has higher levels of polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef and is better for human health.
Michael Finney in a scene from Searching for Sustainability.
“Agriculture is a bridge between what happens to nature and what happens to people” adds Michael Finney. Agricultural practices that protect our soil and our water are vital to producing healthy food for healthy people for generations to come.
For example, untilled grassland used to graze cattle supports cleaner water in the Bay of Green Bay and ground water by limiting soil erosion and water run-off and minimizing the use of phosphorus fertilizer. It also sequesters carbon to address climate change. Limiting the number of grazing animals to the carrying capacity of the land will eliminate manure runoff and the leaching of pollutants into our waters. Crop rotation and diverse polyculture, which includes grazing livestock, are also part of the solution. Buying from local producers is another useful sustainability strategy as it lowers transportation’s environmental costs and keeps nutrients closer to the source. Sustainable, local and organic agriculture uses all of these strategies while also avoiding pesticides.
Sustainability in food and agriculture comes down to protecting our soil’s capacity to sustain healthy plants, animals and people. Sustainable agricultural strategies such as no and low-till agriculture and cover crops help conserve soil health.
(From USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service)
“Searching for Sustainability” calls upon all of us to become “ecological eaters”--voting with our food choices and ballots--for healthy soils, clean water and air, healthy people, and agricultural and environmental sustainability. To learn about how our food is grown and produced and how to become stewards of the land to support future generations, “Searching for Sustainability” is a great resource. If you missed Tuesday showing, you can view it here.
*Directed by Dan Bertalan, “Search for Sustainability” was funded by Wisconsin Farmers Union, Organic Valley, Waseda Farms Organics, Hastings Mutual Insurance, NOAA, and UW Green Bay.
