The Matfield Green project
Creator: Jackson, Wes
Date: April 23, 1997
Wes Jackson, farmer, geneticist, and director of the Land Institute at Salina (Saline County), Kansas, presents an outline of a project at Matfield Green (Chase County) to his student interns. The outline lists information on the history, expansion, programs, staff, publicity, and future of the project. Jackson's involvement in Matfield Green was motivated by his interest in creating a sustainable development model for small, rural communities. The project generated some controversy with local residents. Jackson's work reflects a broader movement in the late twentieth century to develop agricultural and community systems more in line with ecological principles.

Wes Jackson to John Carlin
Creator: Jackson, Wes
Date: November 9, 1978
Wes Jackson, director of The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, writes to Governor-Elect John Carlin to offer suggestions on energy policy. Jackson provides details on what he calls "soft energy paths," an idea that emphasizes conservation and the use of diverse and renewable sources of energy. He argues against large-scale, centralized electric power facilities and for smaller-scale, decentralized implementations of solar, wind, hydro, and other sustainable forms of energy production. A short note by Governor-Elect Carlin acknowledging receipt of Jackson's letter is included.