from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our six JAFSCD Partners: |
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JAFSCD SPECIAL SECTION OF PAPERS |
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JAFSCD has begun publishing a special set of papers in response to the call for papers on community-based circular food systems (C-B CFSs): local and regional food systems that emphasize a community’s health and well-being while minimizing waste and protecting shared natural resources. From North America to Ireland and Pakistan, accepted papers and commentaries range from human, household, and community-level waste recycling to efforts to create circular food systems through community farming and value chains. Over the next few weeks, the News Flash share out the published articles; see the latest one below!
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JAFSCD peer-reviewed article by Madeline DuBois, Laura van der Pol, Aubrey Streit Krug,
Timothy Crews (all at The Land Institute) and Tatiana Schreiber (Rich Earth Institute)
Phosphorus is a nutrient that is essential for plant growth and food production. Unfortunately, we are depleting mined phosphorus resources to produce fertilizers that ultimately end up in landfills or water bodies, where they can cause harmful algal blooms. Reclaiming phosphorus and other nutrients from human urine for use in agriculture—an ancient practice—is being revisited as one possible solution to phosphorus scarcity for global agriculture.
In a new JAFSCD article, Putting the P(ee) in perennial agriculture: Reflections on a workplace urine nutrient reclamation project, authors Madeline DuBois, Laura van der Pol, Tatiana Schreiber, Aubrey Streit Krug, and Timothy Crews share findings from a pilot urine reclamation project conducted in the workplace and research fields at The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas. The project explored urine’s potential as a fertilizer for alfalfa, a perennial forage legume, and was paired with a survey of the organization’s staff to identify opportunities and inform improvements to future urine diversion projects in the United States.
KEY FINDINGS
Field study: Alfalfa yields fertilized with urine were comparable to controls after one growing season, but soil-available phosphorus, nitrate, and sodium increased compared to the water-only controls.
Participant survey: Staff members who participated in the research by contributing their urine learned about both phosphorus management challenges and urine nutrient reclamation as part of the solution. They reported that participating provided them with a sense of agency. Potential contaminants and the unfamiliar urine collection unit were the largest concerns participants raised. Logistics: Ambiguous regulatory definitions for wastewater, and overlapping state and federal agencies managing wastewater, created challenges gaining approval to apply urine as fertilizer in Kansas. This underscores the need for a separate legal definition and testing requirements for urine and wastewater.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE Future community-based urine diversion projects would benefit from: -
Urine collection units that resemble familiar toilets;
- Clear guidelines on when and how participants can contribute;
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Complementary efforts to raise awareness of the unsustainable use of nutrients in agriculture and the potential of urine diversion to address this issue;
- Clear permitting pathways for use of urine fertilizers; and
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Additional research to better understand the effects of urine on different crops and soils and to mitigate potential contaminants.
Participants reported that this project offered them a degree of agency in light of overwhelming environmental issues, demonstrating that urine diversion projects not only offer valuable insights into sustainable agriculture alternatives but can also foster a sense of empowerment.
For more information or media requests contact: Tammy Kimbler, Chief Communications Officer, The Land Institute, kimbler@landinstitute.org, +1-612-991-4747 SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
What would it take for you to pee in support of plants and the planet? This Kansas community tried it; find out what they said. #phosphorus #fertilizer #urine #humanurine @TheLandInstitute @RichEarthInstitute Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.142.008
Photo above: Members of The Land Institute’s soil ecology team pose with the urine tank after the first successful fertilizer application. Photo provided by The Land Institute.
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| The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky (TFC) Postdoctoral Researcher |
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The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky (TFC) is seeking a Post Doctoral Scholar to conduct applied research on value chain coordination (VCC) in local and regional food systems. This is a unique and high-impact postdoctoral researcher position, created in partnership with TFC, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local and Regional Foods Division (LRFD), and the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD). The postdoctoral researcher will lead a novel multi-institution research initiative that results in scholarly publications, stakeholder-facing technical assistance resources, and policy recommendations at local, regional, and national scales. Hybrid remote/on-site (Lexington, KY) applicants are welcome!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS OR TO APPLY |
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JAFSCD is benefiting greatly from a group of dedicated volunteer copyeditors. In this new rotating section, we honor the folks who are sharing their time and expertise with JAFSCD and our authors. |
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"My volunteerism with JAFSCD stems from a deep interest in the intersections of food systems, community, and social justice. As an anthropologist, I appreciate how JAFSCD highlights diverse voices and applied research that address pressing issues in food security, sustainability, and equity. Copyediting for the journal allows me to engage with innovative scholarship and support the clarity and accessibility of important research that has real-world impact."
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JAFSCD SHAREHOLDER SECTION |
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This email is sent to you as a notification of the newest JAFSCD articles and other occasional JAFSCD news. |
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JAFSCD is an open access, community-supported journal! Your library, program, or organization can become a shareholder to help keep JAFSCD's content available to all, regardless of their resources. We welcome anyone to become an individual shareholder; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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