" title="Ecoheartland"> Ecoheartland

We began our Oklahoma adventure with a tour of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. In addition to advising farmers and conducting fundamental plant research, the foundation is studying how to raise switch grass and similar plants to produce biofuels. Switch grass has potential benefits over corn in the production of ethanol as it can be grown on marginal land with a minimum of inputs. However, according to their experts, substantial research and development is needed to scale this approach into a viable solution.

At the National Storm Prediction Center in Norman, we met with Warning Coordination Meteorologist Greg Carbin and learned how Doppler radar, satellites and advanced computer models — combined with old-fashioned human analysis — have improved extreme weather forecasting. Although research is ongoing on the impacts of climate change on hurricanes and tornadoes, Mr. Carbin was firm in his conviction that climate change is a serious threat.

One way to slow and eventually reverse climate change is to improve energy efficiency and Myra Fletcher’s straw bale house on the outskirts of Norman is putting this approach into action. Straw bale construction is a simple, effective, green-building technique that turns a common farm waste product into an energy-efficient building material.

We then headed up to Oklahoma City to learn about the state’s Main Street program. Main Street Oklahoma, an offshoot of the national program begun by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, helps communities restore historic buildings, install pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and market downtown businesses. We interviewed the Oklahoma Program Director, Linda Barnett, who detailed how their work is helping rejuvenate downtowns and mainstreets.

Saturday morning, we visited the Edmond Farmer’s Market and interviewed market manager Summer Terrell and several producers. The convivial setting and sense of community has made the now twice-weekly market a popular meeting place and the Saturday we visited was packed. After our interviews, and in a clear break down of journalistic independence, we enjoyed some fantastic breakfast burritos and then hit the road west.