So I've become kind of a tree hugger and a hippie since my Ag days.....sue me.

Today in my Water Management class we discussed what a water footprint is and if it's a significant tool to keep an eye out for.  I have a feeling this could go down to become something like the next "carbon footprint".  Either way, it looks like it could be something that they could be dealing with in the next 5 years or so, so I figured that it would be a good thing to discuss and keep them on the lookout. 

Because of my "foresight", I may have come across as a tree-hugging-hippy in class today.  You know what.....deal with it!

After calculating my "water footprint" according to the on-line tool, I decided that I'm going to cut down my meat intake over the next 3 weeks to see if it's possible for me to reduce my personal water footprint.  Right now, I'm consuming about 4 meals per week that include meat.  The rest of my protein I get from pulses and dairy products (I will never give up cheese or lattes....ever).  Either way, I figured that my personal water footprint was a little high and I was going to see if I could reduce it.  It takes about 21 days to develop a habit, so instead of eating 12 meat-intensive meals before the end of March, I'm going to cut it down to 4.  For me, THIS IS HUGE!! (so huge that I may get disowned.....ouch)

I figure that life is an experiment and that we shouldn't be afraid to challenge what we know, practice or believe.  I'm not afraid to try new, different or crazy things.  I'm not afraid to get my mind blown.  I think it's because I've been on my own for about 10 years and have yet to "find something that works", so I'm willing to "try it all" to get there.  Also, I'm not afraid to challenge others in making them think differently. 
I think the fundamental idea about a university is to challenge the norm.  I'd like to see students come out of a class and have some fundamental and useful tools.  Tools that  they'll be able to use when they tackle the big, wide world of post-grad.  Big world of being a competent professional.  Either way, I want them to come out of this class and start thinking for themselves.  Personally, I don't think that kids these days ponder enough.  I blame the internet. 

I didn't directly challenge them to become vegetarians, but I did try to challenge them to consider changing their lifestyle....that's all...to consider changing it....then to write a paper about it.  Bottom line, because it's a new tool, I want them to think critically about it.  I want them to use whatever space is between their ears and come up with an opinion.  They're allowed to challenge me.  Hell, they're allowed to dislike me for making them read about something that's completely new and unproven. 

Is it risky?....For sure.  I knew that going in. 
Is it correct?...Maybe.  Only time will tell.
Is it useful?......Possibly.  If this concept goes the same way as carbon credits, then they should thank me for the heads-up. 
Is it wreckless?......Could be, but honestly, I really have nothing to lose.  I thought that the underlying principle of a university was to develop unique, well-thought-out arguments.  I thought the purpose was to advance scientific and political thought....to boldly think where no man has thought before!

Either way, I want to encourage individual, independent thought.  I want these kids to come out of this class with a backbone.  I want them to build an argument and find VALID reasons and evidence to support it, mainly because if they don't have evidence when they hit industry, they're sunk. 

Maybe I've been away from the farm for too long and have forgotten who I'm talking to.  My Trophy Wife mentioned that I may have forgotten my audience (points for her for applying RCM theory....if I was teaching her, I'd sure give 'em out).  I may have forgotten that these kids are 2 to 3 years removed from the farm....not 10 or 11 like me. 
They haven't seen the streets of Montreal, Toronto and NYC.  They haven't seen agriculture in Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky or Kansas.  They haven't been exposed to many different people of many different backgrounds.  They may not share the same open mind that I'm very proud to make my own.  They may not have really good friends (or family members) that study policy, law, sociology, philosophy, ethics, medicine, biology, toxicology, chemistry, physics, engineering, plumbing and all the other technical trades.  They may not have the same diverse background that I have.  That's OK....for now.   
 
I guess I'm OK with being perceived as a tree-hugging-hippy afterall.  As much as I hate to admit it, I do believe in recycling, environmental sustainability, organic farming, footprint reduction and giving back more than you're taking.   Maybe this is the first step in sharing the joy.