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What is Sustainable Agriculture?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Sustainable agriculture is a method of growing crops while protecting the environment, making a sizable profit, and leading to successful communities of farms. Philosophically and in practice, sustainable agriculture strives to find ways in which farmlands can be continuous producers of crops. Reliance on sources not available at the farmland, like water, soil nutrients, and appropriate amounts of sunshine, is considered unsustainable because the farm cannot self-perpetuate.

Though the term sustainable agriculture dates from the 1980's, there have certainly been attempts in the more distant past to create the best methods for farming land. In the US, for example, the pioneering work of George Washington Carver in the 19th century led to a better understanding of how crops like cotton can deplete nitrogen in the soil. Eventually, cotton growing led to non-arable land because of this depletion. Instead of artificially adding nitrogen to the soil, Carver advocated growing peanuts and sweet potatoes, which would naturally add nitrogen back to the soil. This principal of growing crops and crop rotation, which serves to improve the soil, is a hallmark of sustainable agriculture.

A farm adhering to the principles of sustainable agriculture will follow these general rules:

  • Water is available directly on the land, either through rainfall, irrigation from creeks on site, or wells. Submersible pumps in wells must run on either solar or wind power, as opposed to standard electric power, which is not available on site and strips the environment of fossil fuels. Any watering system should be set to address the needs of the crop without being used in excess.

  • Most pesticides are not used, as these can have a lingering impact on the environment, as well as on the people who consume whatever products are grown. Fertilizers with chemicals are also not used for the same reasons. Instead, cow manure and recycled crop waste are recommended for fertilizing crops.

  • Planting one kind of crop, monoculture, is not sustainable because it will lead to soil depletion and erosion. Therefore, multiple crops should be planted with consideration to improving the soil.

  • Any farm machines relying on fossil fuels are non-sustainable because they deplete natural resources. Recent studies in converting fossil fuel-reliant vehicles to the use of vegetable oils may make this a more feasible recommendation.
Cotton field ready to be harvested.
Cotton field ready to be harvested.

Sustainable agriculture additionally depends on profitability. Any farm needs money to continue to operate. This factor engenders a larger issue for those attempting to apply sustainable agriculture methods in farming. In general, produce is trucked from farms to suppliers to stores, which involves the use of fossil fuels. The depletion of fossil fuels is not sustainable, and the reliability of profits cannot be calculated because of the varying costs of fuels and labor.

Sustainably grown rice.
Sustainably grown rice.

Small farms, which sell directly to consumers, can more strictly adhere to the above principles. However, most people who purchase produce at farm stands still have to drive fuel-dependent vehicles to get to these farms. This issue creates difficulty in achieving true sustainability.

The principles of sustainable agriculture represent a step forward in pursuing more earth-friendly farming. However, very few farms can be defined as completely sustainable at this point. Some ecologists have proposed models for developing cities or villages where farmers would live near to other residents, thereby decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Others suggest building community roof gardens in already established cities to increase sustainability. Though these models are still primarily conceptual, they offer an intriguing answer to the question of how we will feed the growing population of the world without further depleting our resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sustainable agriculture?

An environmentally friendly escarole farm.
An environmentally friendly escarole farm.

Sustainable agriculture is a farming approach that seeks to meet current food and textile needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It integrates three main goals: environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. This method employs techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare, while also being productive and economically viable.

Why is sustainable agriculture important?

Planting one type of crop is unsustainable because it will lead to soil depletion.
Planting one type of crop is unsustainable because it will lead to soil depletion.

Sustainable agriculture is crucial because it offers a blueprint for conserving resources and minimizing environmental impact. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, sustainable practices can help address issues like soil degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. It also supports farmer livelihoods and contributes to a stable food supply, which is essential as the global population continues to grow.

How does sustainable agriculture benefit the environment?

Animal manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium making it a rich organic and sustainable fertilizer.
Animal manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium making it a rich organic and sustainable fertilizer.

Sustainable agriculture benefits the environment by promoting biodiversity, conserving water, improving soil health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Practices such as crop rotation, organic farming, and the use of cover crops can enhance soil fertility and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, which in turn protects waterways from pollution. Moreover, sustainable farming can help sequester carbon in the soil, mitigating climate change.

What are some practices used in sustainable agriculture?

The practice of sustainable agriculture limits the use of pesticides.
The practice of sustainable agriculture limits the use of pesticides.

Key practices in sustainable agriculture include crop rotation, agroforestry, integrated pest management (IPM), and the use of renewable energy sources. Farmers may also employ conservation tillage to reduce soil erosion, use organic fertilizers to minimize chemical inputs, and implement water-saving techniques like drip irrigation. These practices aim to create a harmonious balance between farming and the natural environment.

Can sustainable agriculture be as productive as conventional agriculture?

It's difficult to achieve true sustainability in agriculture.
It's difficult to achieve true sustainability in agriculture.

Yes, sustainable agriculture can be as productive as conventional methods, especially in the long term. Studies have shown that sustainable practices can lead to comparable yields while providing greater environmental benefits and resilience against climate extremes. For instance, organic farming systems can outperform conventional ones in years of drought, according to research published by the Rodale Institute.

How does sustainable agriculture support local communities?

Sustainable agriculture supports local communities by fostering job creation, ensuring food security, and preserving rural livelihoods. It encourages local food systems and direct marketing, which can boost the local economy and provide consumers with fresh, healthy produce. Additionally, sustainable practices can improve the quality of life for farm workers by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and promoting fair labor practices.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AllThingsNature contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent AllThingsNature contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

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    • Cotton field ready to be harvested.
      Cotton field ready to be harvested.
    • Sustainably grown rice.
      Sustainably grown rice.
    • An environmentally friendly escarole farm.
      An environmentally friendly escarole farm.
    • Planting one type of crop is unsustainable because it will lead to soil depletion.
      By: ilposeidone
      Planting one type of crop is unsustainable because it will lead to soil depletion.
    • Animal manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium making it a rich organic and sustainable fertilizer.
      By: aigarsr
      Animal manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium making it a rich organic and sustainable fertilizer.
    • The practice of sustainable agriculture limits the use of pesticides.
      By: il-fede
      The practice of sustainable agriculture limits the use of pesticides.
    • It's difficult to achieve true sustainability in agriculture.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      It's difficult to achieve true sustainability in agriculture.