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What is Sustainable Agriculture?

“A sustainable agriculture does not deplete soils or people.”
–Wendell Berry, author and poet

“The three corner stones of sustainable agriculture-- ecological soundness, economic viability, and social responsibility-- rest upon a foundation of intergenerational equity. Intergenerational equity, in turn, has its foundation in human spirituality. Sustainability applies the Golden Rule across generations.” –Dr. John Ikerd, economist

Our society is based on agriculture: farmers provide most of the raw materials that feed and clothe us all. Sustaining that foundation is essential to sustaining our society. So sustainable agriculture is about more than specific farming practices or the number of miles between the farmer’s field and your plate.

To be environmentally sound, an agriculture system should enhance and not degrade the natural resource base for future generations: They should have at least as much as the current inhabitants of the planet and hopefully more.

To be economically viable, an agriculture system should ensure farmers receive a fair wage for their efforts/products, should ensure that healthy food is available to all consumers at a reasonable cost, and should ensure our rural agrarian communities remain viable.
To be socially just, an agriculture system must factor in the social impacts of fair wages, migrant labor, and rural community health. In addition, the system must provide the most nutritious products, thus establishing a foundation for good health in our society and for future generations.

Currently, our food system in the U.S. is defined by industrial values, not the values of sustainability. This industrial farming system provides a bounty of products for relatively low prices but the socioeconomic costs of environmental and human health degradation, government subsidies, migrant labor, loss of family farms, and declining rural communities are not reflected in the price at the store. CFSA and hundreds of other organizations, and millions of people, across the country and the world are working to restore a food system that enhances the health and well-being of our soils and our people.

Related link: Organic Consumers Association

why buy organic?
When You Buy ORGANICALLY-GROWN Foods, You…
Promote Stringent Standards Organic certification is the public's assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures that protect you and the environment.
Reduce Your Health Risks Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth, water, and our bodies.
Improve Soil Health Soil health is essential for the survival of our species. Conventional farming practices are rapidly depleting topsoil fertility. Creating and sustaining healthy soils is the major objective for organic growers.
Protect the Environment Soil erosion; pesticide contamination of soils, air, and water; nitrate loading of waterways and wells; and elimination of planetary biodiversity are some of the problems associated with today's conventional farming methods. Organic farmers use practices that protect soil, air, and water resources; and that promote biodiversity.
Protect Farm Families and Workers Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic materials, making the farm a safer place to live and work.
Inspire Better Farming The success of organic agriculture encourages farmers to use sound, sensible stewardship to help even depleted lands regain productivity. They have led the way with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture's impact on the environment.
Pass on the Stewardship Ethic When you buy locally produced organic food you help raise awareness among your friends and family about how food consumption decisions can make a difference in your life and the life of your community.

Why Buy Local?
When You Buy LOCALLY-PRODUCED Foods, You…
Buy Fresher, More Nutritious Foods Locally grown fruits and vegetables are usually harvested within 24 hours of being purchased by the consumer. Produce picked at the height of freshness tastes better. Because locally grown produce is freshest, it is more nutritionally complete. Nutritional value declines, often dramatically, as time passes after harvest.
Reduce Energy Consumption Locally produced foods do not require significant transportation or storage, both of which are very energy-intensive and pollute our air and water.
Increase Regional Economic Health Buying locally grown foods keeps money within the community. This contributes to the health of all sectors of the local economy, increasing the local quality of life.
Encourage a Self-Sufficient Community A community that produces its own food enables people to influence how their food is grown. In addition, it reduces reliance on far-off food producers, thus stabilizing its own food supply.
Help Preserve Biodiversity Farmers selling locally are not limited to the few varieties that are bred for long distance shipping, high yields, and shelf life. Often they raise and sell wonderful heirloom varieties that may be hard to find in supermarkets.
Preserve the Rural Character of the Land Supporting local farmers means maintaining local farmland. Local consumers can serve as the lifeline for local farmers because they create direct marketing opportunities where sellers can receive fair prices for their crops.
Avoid Post-harvest Contamination Foods sold in local markets without the need for extensive storage and transportation will likely contain minimal or no waxes and/or fungicides applied to protect the product after harvest.

Good Questions to Ask Your farmer About Your Food

Local and organic farmers strive to grow food sustainably in order to protect our natural resources, while providing the freshest and most nutritious products possible.

Numerous ecological growing techniques exist under the umbrella of the sustainable agriculture movement. Each farmer utilizes the techniques that best suit their land, products, markets, lifestyles, and beliefs. Educate yourself! If you have any questions regarding how or why certain methods are employed, ask your local farmer.

Below we have provided you with a list of questions that aim to promote dialogue between you and your farmer.

BASIC:
1. Why do you farm?
2. How do you decide which products to grow?
3. What kind of fertilizers do you use?
4. How do you deal with your weeds? insects? diseases?
5. Do you grow all the products that you sell?
6. Do you have any recipe recommendations/suggestions?

LIVESTOCK:
1. What type of livestock do you manage?
2. How do you feed them? What do you feed them? Do you use organic feed?
3. Do you use hormones? antibiotics?
4. Do you provide them with access to the outdoors? Are they pasture based, free range, or confined?
5. How do you process your animals? Do you do it or does someone else?

VALUE-ADDED GOODS (jams, baked goods, canned goods, etc…):
1. Do you grow all your raw ingredients? If no, where do you get your supplemental ingredients? Are they local/organic?
2. How do you prepare, store, cook your products?