Sustainable Agriculture

A definition for sustainability: to provide the necessities for nourishment with minimal long-term affect on the environment. Sustainability in agriculture relates to a entirely different form of farming. Instead of focusing on the absolute productivity of the here and now, farmers who implement sustainable farming techniques focus on not only the present, but on the future as well. Sustainable farming promotes a future agriculture that will be just as productive as the present, or more so. Conventional farming techniques use all of the resources available at their disposal, with no regard for the environment or for the future. Sustainable farming is important because if the world as a whole does not start focusing on how our actions are going to affect our future, we may not have a future.

Sustainable practices can be implemented in every aspect of farm life. Conventional farms use intense tilling of the land in an attempt to thwart the growth of weeds and other pests. But this is not a sustainable practice because it creates erosion and the loss of nutrients from the soil. With the sustainable process of low or no tillage, all organic matter is kept in the soil, and the soil stays more stable and has more nutrients. The more organic matter and nutrients in the soil make it so inorganic fertilizers do not need to be added. Also, without the need to burn or till, the air will become cleaner because exhaust and soot are not being let out into the atmosphere, this will also help slow global warming. Another sustainable farming practice is crop rotation. Crop rotation is an alternative to monoculture. Instead of focusing on one crop (that is susceptible to disease) crop rotation involves the rotating of either four or five varieties of crops. The varying crops break up pest cycles and disease. Crop rotation is a natural alternative to the unsustainable practice of applying large amounts of pesticides. In crop rotation, different crops replenish the soil with different nutrients, so there is not as great of a need for fertilizers. Sustainable farming also focuses on getting the most out of water sources. Increased efficiency of water usage means less is wasted, and not as much energy needs to be used to harness it. Sustainable farming also concentrates on the health of the animal. If the animal is not in good health, then the product will consequently be poor. To have an animal in good health, it needs to be in a natural as setting as possible. This means eliminating the use of confined feeding operations. Confined feeding operations use high amounts of unsustainable resources. The animals must be raised in a more natural and holistic manner. Lastly, sustainable farmers try to utilize sustainable sources of energy. By using wind, hydro, solar, and other sources of renewable energy, the sustainable-oriented farmers of today are able to provide for the present, while ensuring the future.

There are a variety of ways that a consumer can contribute to sustainable agriculture. Consumers can attend farmers markets or roadside stands and buy food there - because these places involve either family farms or otherwise small farms. The consumer can also choose to buy their food from a natural food store, that almost always carries organic or at least sustainably grown foods. Consumers may also go to a large supermarket and ask whether the food they buy comes from a sustainable source. If the large market gets hounded enough, or has the demand, the sustainable supply will soon follow. It is up to the consumer to negotiate the future of farming, every dollar is a vote towards a particular type of farming. Every dollar put towards buying a product that came from a sustainable farm is a vote cast for the sustainable farming as our future. Buying food that comes from a sustainable farm is a responsible step that everyone needs to take if there is going to be any agriculture, or people for that matter, in the future.