Transcript Sustainability read What is Sustainable Agriculture… http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm AGST 3000 Agriculture, Society and the Natural World Other Websites…  http://www.uwex.edu/ces/susag/UWEX/ frameuwex.html  http://wsare.usu.edu/docs/basics.htm  Find another website that includes the use of sustainability on an international.

Sustainability
read What is Sustainable
Agriculture…
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm
AGST 3000
Agriculture, Society and
the Natural World
Other Websites…

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/susag/UWEX/
frameuwex.html

http://wsare.usu.edu/docs/basics.htm

Find another website that includes the
use of sustainability on an
international basis
Defined…

Sustainability – Meeting needs without
compromising future generations.
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Sustainable Agriculture – A commitment to
satisfy human food and fiber needs and to
enhance the quality of life for farmers and
society as a whole, now and into the future.
THE BASIS OF SUSTAINABLE
SYSTEMS
Agriculture is often viewed as consisting of
three types of systems: economic,
ecological and social. Sustainable
improvement in agriculture – usually
thought of in terms of farm profitability,
environmental stewardship and quality of
life for farm families and rural communities
– must be based on these interlocking aspects
of agriculture.
Integrates three main goals…
1. Environmental health
2. Economic profitability
3. Social & economic equity
Common Themes in Sustainability
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Stewardship of natural & human resources
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A systems approach … from the individual farm, to the
local ecosystem, to the communities affected (locally and
globally)
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A long term perspective – preservation of the land for
future generations
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Idea of process, continual change, & modification
(replicating nature)
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Shared responsibility among all participants in the
system
In class paper…react to the following
The following is a short excerpt on
Sustainable Agriculture from recent
publications from the Research Branch of
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada entitled:
“The health of our soils: toward
sustainable agriculture in Canada”
Introduction
L.J. Gregorich
Most people know that they need clean air and clean water to
stay healthy. Fewer people realize that their well-being also
depends on the health of another component of our
environment – the soil. Soil supports the growth of most of
our food and fibre, so its productivity is a major factor in
the economics of Canada and other nations. But it also has
a much broader role globally. Soil acts as a filter, cleaning
air and water. It exchanges gases with the atmosphere and
thus influences global climate. Soil receives organic
wastes and recycles their nutrients back to plants; it also
holds and breaks down some toxic wastes. Because soil
plays such a key role in world health, economies, and
environmental stability, we must conserve it and use it in a
sustainable manner.
The most important link between farming
practices and sustainable agriculture is the
health, or quality, of our agricultural soils. If
soil becomes degraded, more resources in
terms of time, money, energy, and chemicals
will be needed to produce less-abundant crops
of a lower quality, and the goals of sustainable
agriculture will not be met. On the other hand, if
soil degradation is reversed and soil health is
maintained or improved by using appropriate
farming methods, sustainable agriculture can be
a reality.
Sustainable Agriculture Goals
Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that can be
carried out for generations to come. This long-term
approach to agriculture combines efficient production
with the wise stewardship of the earth’s resources. It is
hoped that, over time, sustainable agriculture will do the
following:
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Meet human needs for food and fibre
Protect the natural resource base and prevent the
degradation of soil and water quality
Use nonrenewable resources efficiently
Use natural biological cycles and controls
Assure the economic survival of farming and the wellbeing of farmers and their families
Examples of sustainable agricultural
management practices
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Reduce reliance on pesticides and nonrenewable energy
sources.
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Increase reliance on internal cycling – use local inputs
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Conserve wild habitat to preserve biological stability &
enhance biological diversity.
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Preserve air quality – reduce burning, dust, pesticide
drift.
Examples of sustainable agricultural
management practices continued…
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Select species & varieties that are resistant to pests &
diseases – well suited to site
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Diversify crops and cultural practices to enhance the
farm’s biological and economic stability
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Manage soil as a living resource
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Conserve soil & protect it from erosion
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Manage water to improve conservation & storage, reduce
salinity and protect ground water from contamination
Current challenges facing California’s
farmers…
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Conservation of agricultural resources
Quality of ground surface waters
Dependence on nonrenewable, petroleumbased inputs
Health and safety of farm workers
Rising production costs
Dwindling water allocations
Fewer chemical pest control options
Low farm gate prices
Related Areas and Specific Strategies
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Farming and Natural Resources
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Water
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Supply and use
Quality
Wildlife
Energy…nonrenewable sources
Air Quality
Soil Quality and Erosion
Related Areas and Specific Strategies cont…
 Plant
Production Practices
Selection of site, species, variety
 Diversity
 Soil Management
 Efficient use of Inputs
 Consideration of Farmer Goals and
Lifestyle
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Related Areas and Specific Strategies cont…
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Animal Production Practices
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Diversified crop and livestock operations of the past
Management Planning
Animal Selection
Animal Nutrition
Reproduction
Health
Grazing Management
Confined Livestock Production
Related Areas and Specific Strategies cont…
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Economic, Social, and Political Context
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Food and Agricultural Policy
Land Use
Labor
Rural Community Development
Consumers and the Food System
Global Issues Concerning Sustainability
1. Population - Dampen growth and stabilize size
2. Biological base - Conserve and restore soil, water,
flora, and fauna
3. Energy - Minimize/phase out fossil fuels
4. Economic efficiency - Creation of an economy that
functions like an ecosystem (ie. reduce waste,
maximize recycling)
Global Issues Concerning Sustainability
continued…
5. Social norms - Compatible with natural,
technical and flexible centralization
6. Culture - Individualism would be tempered
with communitarianism
7. World order - Transformation of the global
investment and world trade to support
sustainable agriculture
Journal
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Given our discussion today and the readings…
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Define Sustainable Agriculture in your own words
Describe how today’s agriculture industry is employing
concepts of Sustainable Agriculture and what are major
benefits for now and in the future?
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Do you believe that sustainability is only an issue for
agriculture ? Why or Why Not?
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What are the challenges facing Valley Agriculture in
adopting Sustainable practices?
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Which of the various concepts/examples of SA do you feel
have the greatest potential and why?
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How important do you think this issue is and why?