Sustainable Agriculture

Started 8-26-022

It wasn't very long ago the term "Sustainable Agriculture" was not heard of.  "Sustainable Agriculture" has become a common phrase used to identify what some to believe safe, "green", organic, natural, farming methods. . "Sustainable Agriculture" is nothing nothing new.

The word sustain : Visit Websters Dictionary 1828 - Webster's Dictionary 1828 - Sustain to see the meaning of sustain. In it's definition words such as uphold, maintain, support are used. It is not applied directly to agriculture.

 

From Websters 1828 Dictionary: SUSTA'INABLE, adjective That may be sustained or maintained.

Today words are being redefined by special interest groups. Sustainable is one such word. It actually means that which is able to be maintained.

 

Sustainable farming would be maintaining the land and food supply. We can not just maintain our food supply we must

be constantly increasing the amount of food we produce. Most farmers do not just want to maintain the land but improve it.

 

The phrase "Sustainable Agriculture" is used scare consumers away from any food not raised the way they raise it. "Sustainable Agriculture" is often used to strengthen the attack on what they call "Factory Farms"  and "Genetically Modified" foods. "Sustainable Agriculture" is usually used with the phrase "buy locally".

 

What is "Sustainable Agriculture"

Check Out These Links

Sustainable Agriculture

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture

National Agricultural Library

 

(ucdavis.edu)

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education What is Sustainable Agriculture?

 

Sustainable agriculture 101: strategies & resources – Supply Chain Solutions Center (edf.org)

 

Many  sources identify  "Sustainable Agriculture" as

Healthy Agriculture Producing Healthy Food Supply Regenerative soil care *

Based upon small family farms and the practice  "organic" farming methods.

What Is Sustainable Agriculture and Why Is It So Important? (sentientmedia.org)

Investing in Sustainable Agriculture |

Walter Schindler

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

"The goal of sustainable agriculture is to meet society’s food and textile needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. " From  ucdavis.edu)

 

The Common Sense Approach To  "Sustainable Agriculture"

"The goal of sustainable agriculture is to meet society’s food and textile needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. " From  ucdavis.edu)

    The goal stated above  for "Sustainable Agriculture" has been the goal for has been the goal of the USA Agricultural Industry from the start of our history.  Farmers and ranchers are the stewards of the land and they have been meeting society's food and textile need for generations and will continue to do so in the future.

Consider This: Many of those who talk out about "Sustainable Agriculture" are the same people who are promoting taking thousands of acres of farm land out of production to build large solar and wind "farms". Does this make sense?

Consider This: Many of those who promote the modern idea of "Sustainable Agriculture" are the ones who pushed for regulations that have forced many medium sized farms to go out of business and sell to large family farms.

Here is a statement I have seen on several websites promoting "Sustainable Agriculture"

 

There are many different methods of sustainable agriculture, and they all prioritize preserving the environment and protecting the livelihoods of farmers and local communities. Some notable examples include:

  • Better water management. Crops that do not demand much water are grown in dry areas to reduce water usage in farming methods. 

  • Rotating crops. Planting a variety of crops encourages crop diversity because it improves soil quality and pest control.

  • Integrating livestock and crops. Smart integration of crop and animal production can make farms more efficient and profitable.

  • Planting cover crops. Cover crops such as clover, rye or hairy vetch are planted during off-season months to keep the soil covered year-round when it might otherwise be left bare. This helps prevent soil erosion and reduces the need for fertilizers and herbicides. 

  • Permaculture. Permaculture design techniques include growing grain without tillage, herb and plant spirals, and keyhole and mandala gardens. These efficient techniques help to reduce the waste of resources.
 

I have been wrongly accused of being anti- organic, anti-natural farming, anti-"Sustainable Agriculture" anti-buy local. I want to make it known that I have been a supporter of all these practices. There are certain advantages to them under certain circumstances. What I am against the is way they are promoted with misinformation. 

In fact if you can buy vegetables raised locally from gardens or farms you will have more flavor than what you buy that are raised in greenhouses or varieties grown for longer shelf life. Please buy from your local farmer of gardener.

Tom May  *  P.O. Box 111, Port Jefferson OH 45360-0111 * tom@agriculture4kids.com"  * 937-507-9413 [no text]