Founded in 1976 by Wes and Dana Jackson, the Land Institute is both an independent agricultural research station and a school devoted to exploring and developing alternative agricultural practices. Located on the Smoky Hill River near Salina, Kansas, the Institute attempts—in Wes Jackson's words—to "make nature the measure" of human activities so that humans "meet the expectations of the land," rather than abusing the land for human needs. This requires a radical rethinking of traditional and modern farming methods. The aim of the Land Institute is to find "new roots for agriculture" by reexamining its traditional assumptions.

In traditional tillage farming, furrows are dug into the topsoil and seeds planted. This leaves precious topsoil exposed to erosion by wind and water. Topsoil loss can be minimized but not eliminated by contour plowing, the use of windbreaks, and other means. Although critical of traditional tillage agriculture...