Believe it or not, working farm fields with a horse and plow is making a comeback. Over the weekend, Yahoo News! indicated that at least 400,000 people rely on “animal power” for farming, logging, and other activities. Interestingly, it’s not only the machine-shy who are turning to horses, but also farmers concerned with “soaring fuel prices and the ability of the animals to produce their own replacements.” Advocates of the practice also argue that horses are better for the soil and can be used during the wet weather that often limits tractor use.

Meanwhile, according to a recent AP article posted on KATU, over in academia, growing numbers of universities are offering (or thinking about offering) majors in organic farming. Although many land-grant schools already offer units on organic growing methods during more traditional ag-related courses, there are few that offer full-fledged majors. However, as demand for organic products sky-rockets, many argue that universities should follow suit by providing more opportunities to study organic farming.

“My impression is that there is a lot of activity right now,” Cathy Perillo, a soils sciences professor at Washington State University in Pullman (the site of a proposed organic ag program) is quoted as commenting. “A lot of places are developing curriculums, and have started student farms in the last year or two.”

Some say the addition of courses that distinguish organic farming from more conventional methods invovles an implicit critique of “traditional agriculture,” however it’s hard to argue with the profits to be found in organics these days.

“Think of the 20 percent increase in organic sales every year,” a research assistant at Colorado State said. “If the university is following economic trends, we need to follow that.”

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