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2014 Envirothon

2014 Envirothon. Sustainable agriculture systems and organic farming. Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey | 334 River Rd, Hillsborough, NJ 08837 908-371-1111 | www.nofanj.org. What is sustainable agriculture?. Federally defined… Satisfy human food and fiber needs

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2014 Envirothon

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  1. 2014 Envirothon Sustainable agriculture systems and organic farming Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey | 334 River Rd, Hillsborough, NJ 08837 908-371-1111 | www.nofanj.org

  2. What is sustainable agriculture? • Federally defined… • Satisfy human food and fiber needs • Enhance environmental quality and natural resources • Efficientuse of resources, incorporate natural biological cycles and controls • Sustain economic viability of farm operations • Enhance quality of life of farmers and society Source: “Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms.” 1999. National Agricultural Library, ihttp://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/terms/srb9902.shtml#toc2

  3. Focusing on Resources • Natural resources • Soil, water, air, energy • Plants, animals • Human resources • Personal goals • Community health

  4. The Strategy – Whole Systems • Cultural • Mechanical • Biological • Crop rotation • Variety selection • Fertility • Cultivation • Traps • Physical barriers • Predators • Parasites • Competitors

  5. Nutrient Management – Build Soil • Organic inputs • Mulches, cover crops • Rotational grazing/manure • Compost, inputs • Crop rotation • Diverse inputs • Light/heavy feeders • Nutrient scavenging • Protection • Field operations/tillage

  6. Pest Management - Insects • Beneficial insect habitat • Protected areas • Diversity in habitat • Integrated Pest Management • Scouting • Spray timing/type/method • Cultural controls: row covers, crop rotations, trap crops Great Road Farm

  7. Pest Management – Bacteria/Fungi • Good food • “active” compost • Variety of root exudates • Good shelter • SOM building practices • Cultural methods • Resistant varieties, crop rotations, inoculations

  8. Weed Management - Plant Communities • Many Little Hammers • Tillage alternation • Flame-weeding, hand-weeding • Economic thresholds • Prevent seed production while practicing tolerance • Soil management • Keep crops competitive

  9. Water Management • Irrigation efficiency • Timers, calibrated • Directly applied • Crop choices • Better scavengers, less water use • Buffers • Field borders, grassed waterways, livestock fencing • Soil management • Improve water holding capacity

  10. Take Home – Resilience! • Cultural, mechanical, biological methods FIRST • Build Soil Quality • Encourage Diversity: land use, plant types, inputs • Consider the human element!

  11. What is Organic Farming? • Farming holistically – stressing biological, mechanical and cultural farming methods that are tailored to the farm’s unique self. • Federally defined, enforced • Allowed, Prohibited Materials • Contamination Prevention • Natural Resource Conservation • Livestock Treatment, Wellness • Records, 3rd Party Inspections

  12. The Cornerstones Regulatory Agronomic Soil Quality Organic Matter Content Whole Systems Planning Interaction of soil, plant, water, animal resources • Record-keeping • Reflect practices, inputs • Transparency • Consumer demand for unified standards

  13. Is Local the Same as Organic? • Certification is federally regulated • Illegal to misrepresent a product • Local is undefined • Political boundaries? • Distance? • Know your farmer! • Understand the environmental impacts of farming • Reward ecosystem services

  14. Direct Marking of Local Food • Community Supported Agriculture Programs • Pay ahead – weekly distribution • Customer shares risk • Farmers’ Markets • Variety of vendors, product offerings • Customer enjoys the experience • Pick Your Own (PYO) • Customer harvests! • Agritourism

  15. 334 River Road Hillsborough, NJ www.nofanj.org Justine Cook Organic Farming Conservation & Technical Services Specialist jcook@nofanj.org 908-371-1111 x 3

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