About IATPPublicationsPrograms and ProjectsResource CentersFor the PressFor the Press
IATP Environment and Agriculture projects

E&A supports farm and transportation policies that increase the prices farmers receive for their crops and support strong, diverse rural economies. Since 1995, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has studied the feasibility of expanding the navigation infrastructure on the Mississippi River to facilitate the export of Midwest grains. Although the project is often cited as an important step toward improving Midwest farm income, E&A's research has shown little evidence that the economic benefits will reach farmers and rural communities.

E&A has collaborated with environmental organizations, farm groups, economists and economic development organizations to examine the impact expanded Mississippi River navigation infrastructure will have on the river, river communities, farmers and other constituents. We continue to challenge the economic assumptions that provide the basis for lock expansion, building on our previous research that found the grain export and barge traffic projections used to justify lock expansion to be overly optimistic.

E&A also examines and promotes non-structural alternatives to lock expansion that could facilitate barge traffic with the current infrastructure. While the Mississippi River navigation issue is usually presented as locks versus no locks, our research has demonstrated that viable alternatives do indeed exist. These alternatives would not only provide significant gains in navigation efficiency, but also better benefit farmers, rural communities, taxpayers and the environment.

For more information about IATP's work on agricultural transportation, contact Mark Muller at (612) 870-3420 or Heather Schoonover at (612) 870-3450.

Related publications

Related publications from IATP

Food Versus Fuel in the United States: Can Both Win in the Era of Ethanol: This report explores the effect of U.S. ethanol production on the world's hungry. October 2007 | MARK MULLER, TAMMY YELDON AND HEATHER SCHOONOVER | PDF

A Fair Farm Bill for Conservation: This paper analyzes the history of conservation programs in the Farm Bill and makes recommendations for improving them.SEPTEMBER  2007 | IATP | PDF

Water Use by Ethanol Plants: Potential Challenges: The shortage of available water could become the Achilles heel of the ethanol boom if more efficient use of water isn't made a priority.OCTOBER 2006 | DR. DENNIS KEENEY AND MARK MULLER/IATP | PDF

Food Without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity : U.S. farm policy geared towards driving down prices for corn and soybeans is a significant contributor to the nation's obesity epidemic.APRIL 2006 | MARK MULLER AND HEATHER SCHOONOVER | PDF

IATP News
Global food crisis, farm-to-backpack, sustainable forestry and more.


Radio Sustain
IATP's podcast on fair trade, resilient rural communities, safe food and a healthy environment.
March 31 podcast MP3
February 18 MP3

 Subscribe with RSS


  faceboook

      

Peace Coffee Check out what the Star Tribune had to say about IATP's award-winning, 100% organic and fair trade coffee company, Peace Coffee.