Looking at Agricultural Sustainability

1. Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching Looking at Agricultural Sustainability Understanding “Sustainability” and “Whole Farm” Concepts

2. What issustainable agriculture?

3. USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program definition • Satisfies human food and fiber needs; • Enhances environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; • Makes the most efficient use of nonrenewable and on-farm resources and integrates, where appropriate, natural and biological cycles and controls; • Sustains the economic viability of agricultural operations and their communities; and • Enhances the quality of life for farmers and ranchers and society as a whole.

4. Ron Macher, Small Farm Today, says this about sustainable agriculture: • Continuous cycle that does not wear out the land or the farmer • Replenishes livestock and crops • Enables the family to continue farming • Diversity • Profitable • Environmentally sound and socially acceptable

5. “Sustainable Agriculture cannot be simply about environment - it must address human values and social relations”. -Patricia Allen, Agricultural Issues Analyst

6. Description or definition: • Providing a more profitable farm income • Promoting environmental stewardship • Promoting stable, prosperous farm families and communities

7. Three Aspects of Agricultural Sustainability • Economic factors • Environmental concerns • Social issues

8. Environment Economics Social

9. Goal 1: Promoting environmental stewardship – Examples: • Improving soil quality • Reducing dependence on non-renewable resources • Minimizing adverse impacts on safety, wildlife, water, natural resources

10. Goal 2: Promoting stable, prosperous farm families and communities – Examples: • Keen attention to health and safety of family and farm workers • Establish a community connection • Purchasing local products, inputs, and equipment • Working for farmland preservation

11. Goal 2: Promoting stable, prosperous farm families and communities – Examples: Click on image to start video Click on image to start video

12. Goal 3: Providing a more profitable farm income – Examples: • Reduce expenses – inputs like fertilizers, etc. • Diversify so you have a broader product base • Capture more of the consumer dollar for your product • Increase the “value” of your products

13. Elements of Sustainability from SAN publication , “Exploring Sustainability in Agriculture”

14. Elements of Sustainability • IPM • Rotational Grazing • Soil conservation • Water quality / wetlands • Cover crops • Crop and landscape diversity • Nutrient management • Agroforestry • Alternative markets

16. Farmers promote sustainability by: • Implementing a variety of tools or practices • Decisions and ability to implement practices depend on, or are influenced by, the whole farming system • The degree to which the tools are implemented can lead to variations as to how sustainable the farm might be

17. Sustainable agriculture is a continuum Less sustainable thinking More sustainable thinking Get through this year Next few years make or break Pass farm to kids Stewardship for many generations

18. Insect Management Less sustainable practice More sustainable practice Calendar spray insecticides (on a pre-determined schedule) Scout for insect pests, then spray non-selective insecticide Scout for insect pests, then spray selective, least- toxic pesticide Use cultural practices and beneficial insects to control pests

19. Crop Rotation Less sustainable practice More sustainable practice Monoculture (same crop in same field each year) Two years between the same crop planted in the same field Three years between crops planted in the same field Four years between the same crop planted in the same field

20. Weed management Less sustainable practice More sustainable practice Use allelopathy, smother crops, and mulches to suppress weeds Apply reduced rates of herbicide and cultivate Cultivate to remove weeds Apply herbicides as primary weed control

21. Organic Matter Maintenance Less sustainable practice More sustainable practice Add compost, cover crops, plus crop residues to the soil Add crop residues only to the soil Add cover crops, animal manures, plus crop residues Add animal manures plus crop residues

22. Relationship to Consumer Less sustainable practice More sustainable practice Consumer commitment to farm through practices such as community supported agriculture Producer is unknown to consumer Consumer has loyalty to grower brand Consumer contact with grower at direct markets

23. Agriculture Sustainability is a continuum In summary... Three components are environment, economics and social Site specific to each farm and farming system

24. Test your knowledge of sustainability in agriculture From what you have learned… • 1. What are the three aspects of agricultural sustainability? • 2. Are there specific rules or regulations to be considered a sustainable farm? • 3. How does farm planning relate to sustainable agriculture?

25. Sustainability in Ag - Summary 1. Economic, environmental and social factors are all important 2. Sustainability is site specific but some indicators of sustainability have been established. 3. Sustainability is based on a set of progressive steps towards a long term goal.

26. Credits Presentation developed by Cultivating SuccessTM : Sustainable Small Farms Education. Photos provided by Cultivating SuccessTM staff, unless otherwise noted. Video segments taken from: “Affinity Farm: A Small-Acreage Farm Shares Strategies” produced by Ben Troka, University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Copywrite 2005, University of Idaho. “Meadowlark Farm: A Case Study of a Small-Acreage Farm” produced by Ben Troka, University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Copywrite 2005, University of Idaho.