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Abstract
The energy return on investment (EROI) was determined for an integrated (i.e. combined animal husbandry and vegetable production) USDA Certified Organic, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm in Scott County Kentucky for the calendar year 2014. The resulting EROI was calculated at 0.13 which corresponds to 7.7 units of input energy for each caloric unit of output energy. The highest energy inputs (representing > 80% of the model) were indirect labor, equipment, liquid fuels, electricity and poultry feed. The highest energy outputs (representing > 80% of the model) were beef, sweet corn, broilers, eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, broccoli, tomatoes, turkey, and yellow squash. Modern US agricultural practices and food delivery systems are energy intense, representing more than 15% of the total US energy consumption. Comparatively, typical livestock operations can require EROIs as low as 0.02 corresponding to 50 units of input energy for each calorie produced.