1. The Morris area can sustain and strengthen its agricultural economy.
Contributions:
- More diversity in farming may lead to new enterprises, manufacturing, and distribution
- Sustainable agriculture means Morris will be taken care of in face of high global population and food shortage
- Strong, sustainable, marketable, and diverse agriculture is more attractive to younger generations in terms of the careers they pursue
What It Will Take:
- Educating producers and lenders
- Money pool to support new ventures
- Encouraging farmers to use resources, like the Soils Lab, for new information
2. The Morris area community can utilize local expertise and resources to build a more resilient community.
Contributions:
- Building and reinforcing community relationships through discussion and facing the issues related to climate change
- Involving social and local media and others in promoting sustainable and energy-efficient practices and habits with messages and resources from UMM, USDA-ARS, and other organizations in the Morris area
What It Will Take:
- Forming a group (volunteer or otherwise) that unifies and reflects various community members and stakeholders on the issues
- Gather support from organizations to create such a group, to foster awareness and promote tools
- Find funding and other resources needed to create and support such a group
3. The Morris area can strengthen its economy and address problems associated with changes in extreme weather and climate.
Contributions:
- Diversify crops and create new markets
- Opportunity to increase tax base which could be used for educational reforms, parks, and facilities
- More efficient use of water and electricity for farms, businesses, and homes
What It Will Take:
- Finding marketing options in and beyond Morris
- Money and time for research to determine which crops are best for diversification in our changing climate
4. The Morris area can pursue strategies to reduce property damage from extreme weather.
Contributions:
- To encourage and assist better building practices and materials in order to avoid or better withstand frequent weather-related issues
What It Will Take:
- Educate local contractors/construction businesses on the latest, more durable and energy-efficient construction practices and materials
- Create a position to assist low-income homeowners and inform all homeowners about upgrading materials and meeting building standards and connect them to available resources
- Use resources, such as the Chamber of Commerce and local and social media, to educate and promote durable and energy-efficient construction practices
5. The Morris area can protect and preserve its water resources.
Contributions:
- Will ensure ample safe, clean water for ourselves and others downstream
What It Will Take:
- Public sanitary and storm sewers systems to be upgraded to handle loads
- Farmers to design drainage systems to discharge clean water and minimize erosion
- Private landowners to take responsibility for their own stormwater (ex. using rain gardens)
- Educating the public about programs to help them implement best practices
6. The Morris area can save energy and money by pursuing new technologies.
Contributions:
- Finding a way to capture more rainwater for irrigation or watering livestock
- Finding ways to store water without stagnation issues and recycle water
- Finding markets for solar energy and ways to store solar energy
What It Will Take:
- Someone to take lead on project and labor to get projects set up
- Money and time to research the best ways to implement projects