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| ]'''Sustainable agriculture''' integrates three main goals |
]'''Sustainable agriculture''' integrates three main goals: ]al ], ] ]ability, and prosperous ] ]. These goals have been defined by a variety of ], policies and practices, from the vision of ]s and ]s. | ||
| In simple terms, sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to continue producing indefinitely with a minimum of reliance on outside inputs, like ] for plants, or ] products to run ]. It is a measure of the ] of how much is put in, to how much is taken out. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| For example, take a small farm, raising a mix of ], and ] and ] ]s. In order to grow, the ]s and ]s consume ] in the form of ]s from the ], ], ], and ]. As the crops are ]ed and consumed, the energy they used must be replaced in order to continue production. Some of that energy comes from the ]'s ], by the ], air, and ]. Some can be ]d: crop residues and ] from livestock retain certain nutrients that can be returned to the soil. Farm-related ] performed by ] (including the farmers!) that are fed by the farm is another form of energy recycling. Any further inputs required have to be imported. The less the farm needs outside inputs to maintain production levels, the greater its degree of sustainability. | |||
| In the larger ] context, the farm must generate revenue in order to acquire things that cannot be produced on-farm. The way that crops are ] then becomes part of the sustainable ]. Fresh ] sold from a farm stand requires little extra energy, beyond growing and harvest. Produce that is packaged and shipped incurs more energy consumption, for materials, labor, ], storage, and so forth. The more complex the food system in which the farm participates, the greater the farm's annual energy "bill", and the more it has to rely on off-farm sources. | |||
| In environmental terms, given the finite supply of ], agriculture that is very inefficient - low on the sustainability scale - will eventually run out of inputs and cease to be viable. | |||
| ⚫ | In practice, there is no single approach to sustainable agriculture, as the precise goals and methods must be adapted to each individual case. | ||
| == See Also == | == See Also == | ||
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Revision as of 19:32, 31 March 2004
Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities. These goals have been defined by a variety of philosophies, policies and practices, from the vision of farmers and consumers.
In simple terms, sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to continue producing indefinitely with a minimum of reliance on outside inputs, like fertilizer for plants, or petroleum products to run machinery. It is a measure of the ratio of how much is put in, to how much is taken out.
For example, take a small farm, raising a mix of livestock, and forage and food crops. In order to grow, the plants and animals consume energy in the form of nutrients from the soil, air, water, and sunlight. As the crops are harvested and consumed, the energy they used must be replaced in order to continue production. Some of that energy comes from the Earth's biosphere, by the sun, air, and rain. Some can be recycled: crop residues and manure from livestock retain certain nutrients that can be returned to the soil. Farm-related labor performed by animals (including the farmers!) that are fed by the farm is another form of energy recycling. Any further inputs required have to be imported. The less the farm needs outside inputs to maintain production levels, the greater its degree of sustainability.
In the larger economic context, the farm must generate revenue in order to acquire things that cannot be produced on-farm. The way that crops are sold then becomes part of the sustainable equation. Fresh produce sold from a farm stand requires little extra energy, beyond growing and harvest. Produce that is packaged and shipped incurs more energy consumption, for materials, labor, transportation, storage, and so forth. The more complex the food system in which the farm participates, the greater the farm's annual energy "bill", and the more it has to rely on off-farm sources.
In environmental terms, given the finite supply of natural resources, agriculture that is very inefficient - low on the sustainability scale - will eventually run out of inputs and cease to be viable.
In practice, there is no single approach to sustainable agriculture, as the precise goals and methods must be adapted to each individual case.