For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s All About Organics page, and our Organic Transitions page.

Wendell Berry occupies a unique place in American literary culture. Born in Kentucky in 1934, he has stayed close to his roots in caring for the land that his ancestors settled almost 200 years ago.

One of the preeminent philosophers of place, a leading advocate for environmental stewardship, and a fierce critic of agribusiness, he first came to literary notice as a poet in the 1960’s. Since then, Mr. Berry has written numerous books of poetry, nonfiction works, novels, and short stories.

More: Listen to the complete interview with Wendell Berry on WFIU’s “Profiles.”

In the final part of a three-part conversation, Berry describes what it takes to be a successful critic of agriculture, and he gives communities advice on how to be more sustainable. Taking Care Of The Tributary Landscape

Shana Ritter (WFIU): In Bloomington, Indiana currently there’s growing attention to sustainability. What do you think the role of a large university like Indiana University and a university town like Bloomington is in helping to create a sustainable world?

Wendell Berry: To have a sustainable Bloomington, Bloomington has to begin to think conservingly and with concern for what I would call its tributary landscape, or the surrounding communities and counties that sustain Bloomington by sending in its products. It returns us to an old idea – it was an old Greek idea – of the city consisting of the urban build-up (what we would call the downtown or the city itself) plus its tributary landscape. In fact, in the old Greek cities, grain from the landscape would be stored in the towns and cities.