Publications
AERO Sun Times. AERO’s quarterly magazine, reporting on activities and member accomplishments, as well as featuring various viewpoints and information on sustainable agriculture, community food systems, smart growth and transportation, renewable energy and conservation.
AERO's "Repowering Montana- A Blueprint for Homegrown Energy Self-reliance" AERO's Blueprint can be accessed here or hard copies can be purchased by contacting the AERO office.
The first challenge you face in setting goals for reducing your energy consumption is to understand your current energy usage. With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be prepared to analyze the potential savings you can reap from your home improvement efforts. Download the Energy Assessment Unit drawn up by the Neighborhood Conservation Clubs for help calculating how much energy you currently use.
Conservation Tip Sheets
These tip sheets focus on the most critical resource-saving changes you can make in your home or lifestyle. You'll find easy to follow suggestions and credible information.
Improving Your Water Heating Efficiency
Improving Your Lighting Efficiency
Abundant Montana,AERO’s Directory to Sustainably Grown Montana Food. Over 80 sustainable farms, ranches, and retailers are listed by region and by farm name, in the 5 th edition of Abundant Montana, available in the fall, 2005. Products range from fruits and vegetables to processed foods, to meat products and grains. The directory gives consumers who value sustainability and community the means to express their values through their food purchases while supporting the growers, processors and retailers who share their values.
Farmers’ Markets, Enriching Communities Across Montana. by Libby Hinsley and Kira Pascoe. 2003. 27 pages. In addition to providing some of the freshest, tastiest food around, farmers’ markets play a valuable role in promoting healthy local economies and communities as documented in this study conducted by AERO, in collaboration with the University of Montana Environmental Studies Program, and the Montana Department of Agriculture. The study is based on a survey conducted with 20 market representatives around the state, and explores the economic and social contributions farmers’ markets make to Montana communities. A profile of farmers’ markets across the state highlighting location, days and times, months of operation, number of vendors, range of products sold, special events, and market needs is included in the study. Available on-line as PDF.
Starting a Farmers’ Market in Montana. by Sarah Nichols Mowry, and Debra Beaver. 2005. This manual was developed by AERO in partnership with the Montana Department of Agriculture, and the University of Montana Environmental Studies Program, to help answer common questions communities have when establishing a new farmers’ market. The manual draws on the experience of market organizers around Montana, and features an extensive Appendix that contains sample vendor rules, by-laws, outreach and publicity activities, and many more items that market organizers have generously shared with us. It is our hope that this manual will be a resource to help additional Montana farms, ranches and communities reap the benefits of local farmers’ markets.
Cereal-Legume Cropping Systems: Nine Farm Case Studies in the Dryland Northern Plains, Canadian Prairies and Intermountain Northwest. by Nancy Matheson, Barbara Rusmore, James R. Sims, Michael Spengler and E. L. Michalson. Foreword by Fred Kirschenmann. 1991. 75 pages. Describes in practical detail nine different farmers’ wheat-legume crop rotations and their effect on weeds, insect pests, disease, soil fertility and soil condition.
Weeds as Teachers: Many Little Hammers. by Sally K. Hilander, editor. 1997. 42 pages. Contains tools and strategies on the cutting edge of ecological weed management as presented by a variety of farmers and ranchers, public lands managers, and scientists at AERO’s 1995 Weed Management Alternatives Conference.
Livestock Health and Nutrition Alternatives: Proceedings of a Western States Conference. Sally K. Hilander, editor. 1991. 50 pages. Captures the spirit and substance of AERO’s 1990 conference. Farmers, ranchers, scientists and marketers describe how to raise ruminant animals without synthetic growth hormones and sub therapeutic levels of antibiotics. Topics covered include nutrition and disease prevention, building health through herd management and integrating crop and livestock systems.
AERO’s Guide to Sustainable Agriculture in the Northern Rockies and Plains. Nancy Matheson, editor. 1989. 100 pages. Learn from 160 farmers and ranchers who are using or experimenting with alternative farming practices in Montana and surrounding regions. Features a directory of producers with descriptions of each operation and their comments.
Montana’s Sustainable Agriculture: Farming with Foresight. by Kerry Wall-MacLane. 1996. 71 pages. An eight-part interdisciplinary curriculum for educators of fourth through sixth grade students. Includes sections on Montana’s agricultural history, production, soil, pests, livestock and crops.
Proceedings of AERO’s Soil-Building Cropping Systems Conference. Sally K. Hilander, editor. 1989. 55 pages. Farmers and researchers from the Northern Plains and Rockies, Inland Northwest and Canadian Prairies describe how to implement soil-building into their dryland and irrigated wheat rotations. Green manures, cover crops and alternative cash crops are thoroughly discussed from a practical standpoint. Crop selection, production, marketing, storage and management for soil-building, water use efficiency and pest control.
Sustainable Agriculture in Montana: Its Social, Economic and Agronomic Impacts. 1997. Nancy Matheson, editor. 25 pages. From the analysis of working sustainable farming and ranching operations in Montana and various cereal-legume crop rotations, this in-depth analysis draws conclusions about the future barriers to and benefits of sustainable agriculture in the state.
Groundwater Protection for Farmers and Ranchers: Alternative Farming Strategies. Jeff Birkby, editor. 1994. 15 pages. Presents an overview of the components of successful alternative farming strategies that allow farmers and ranchers to use less pesticide and fertilizer in their operations. All of the techniques have been adopted and proven on many profitable farms and ranches in the Northern Plains, Rocky Mountains and Inland Northwest.
Protecting Groundwater from Agricultural Chemicals: Alternative Farming Strategies for Northwest Producers. Second Edition. by Christine Kaufmann and Nancy Matheson. 1991. 28 pages. A more comprehensive version of the Groundwater booklet, this describes farming practices that enhance the biological, chemical and physical interactions that minimize pest and fertility problems, as well as how producers can reduce their need for potentially polluting agri-chemicals. The latest in research and farmers’ experience are cited. Most relevant to the wheat-growing region of the Northern Plains, Rockies and Intermountain West.
Working the Land for Generations to Come, Preserving the Rural Quality of Life. By Deborah Halliday. 2002. 17 pages. This guidebook reviews basic tools available to farm and ranch families for land use planning, such as conservation easements, conservation home sites, transfer and purchase of development rights, and neighbor-to-neighbor solutions.
Big Sky or Big Sprawl? Montana at the Crossroads Summit Proceedings. Alternative Energy Resources Organization. 1998. 108 pages. In 1998, a broad-based coalition of agricultural, business, governmental, environmental, and citizens groups presented a public forum to explore tools that can help communities effectively manage growth. This proceedings chronicles much of the content at the gathering.