Gourt > Science > Agriculture > Sustainable Agriculture (5)
Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities. These goals have been defined by a variety of disciplines and may be looked at from the vantage point of the farmer or the consumer.
Description
Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce perpetually. Two key issues are 1) long-term effects of various practices on soil properties and processes essential for crop productivity, and 2) the long-term availability of inputs. Practices that can cause long-term damage to soil include excessive tillage (leading to erosion) and irrigation without adequate drainage (leading to accumulation of salt in the soil). Long-term experiments provide some of the best data on how various practices affect soil properties essential to sustainability.
While air and sunlight are generally available in most geographic locations, crops also depend on soil nutrients and the availability of water. When farmers grow and harvest crops, they remove some of these nutrients from the soil. Without replenishment, the land would suffer from nutrient depletion and be unusable for further farming. Sustainable agriculture depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, such as natural gas (used in converting atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic fertilizer), or mineral ores (e.g., phosphate). Possible sources of nitrogen that would, in principle, be available indefinitely, include: 1) recycling crop waste and livestock or human manure, 2) growing legume crops and forages such as, peanuts, or alfalfa that form symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia, 3) adapting the current industrial nitrogen fixation process to use hydrogen made by electrolysis (perhaps using electricity from solar cells or windmills) instead of natural gas, or 4) genetically engineering (nonlegume) crops to form nitrogen-fixing symbioses or fix nitrogen without microbial symbionts. The last option was proposed in the 1970's, but would be well beyond the capability of current (2006) technology, even if various concerns about biotechnology were addressed. Sustainable options for replacing other nutrient inputs (phosphorus, potassium, etc.) are more limited.
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Agriculture :: Environment
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Educational Trust - Offers a practical demonstration of the integration of game and wildlife conservation with profitable farming.
Meta Description: [ The Allerton Project ]
Agroecology - An explanation of the principles of sustainable farming, the ways in which resource use can be minimised, and local biodiversity preserved.
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center - Directory of sites and documents about sustainable agriculture.
Meta Description: [ Sustainable Agriculture ]
Asian Rural Life Development Foundation - A training center for sustainable agriculture in the uplands, located in the southern part of the Philippines.
Meta Description: [ Asian Rural Life Development Foundation is a training center for sustainable agriculture in the uplands in the southern part of the Philippines ]
ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - A sustainable agriculture information center that provides technical assistance to farmers, market gardeners and extension agents on farming topics: sustainable, organic, alternative, crops, livestock, and pest control.
Meta Description: [ Your source for the latest in sustainable agriculture and organic farming news, publications, events and funding opportunities. ]
Biologically Integrated Farming Systems in Rice - The objectives of the BIFS in Rice project are to demonstrate alternative rice production methods, promote sustainable agriculture, and monitor pesticide use and make information available.
Meta Description: [ The objectives of the BIFS in Rice project are to demonstrate alternative rice production methods, promote sustainable agriculture, distribute applicable information based on a farmer-to-farmer extension model, and monitor pesticide use and make information available. ]
Biologicals Report - A study to see, if using trace elements or microbes as replacements for chemicals in feed, pest control, and fertilizer would be financially profitable. Includes summary report. Some pages in PDF format only.
Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) - Australia - Provides scientific advice for the sustainable development of Australia's agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries.
Meta Description: [ Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) is an independent scientific bureau within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (AFFA). At the interface between science and policy, BRS is an essential part of the Government's capacity for integrated evidence-based policy development a... ]
Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems - A sustainable agriculture research center at the University of Wisconsin. Details of research, local involvement.
Meta Description: [ Research-based texts on sustainable agriculture, crop systems, grazing, farmer networks, farm businesses, and food systems from the University of Wisconsin-Madison ]
Centre for Information on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture - Aims for poverty alleviation through the promotion of agro-ecological approaches. Includes a collection of links, book reviews, and other information.
Cholderton Estate - An exercise in sustainable agriculture and farming in Hampshire, UK. Estate and family history, estate map, wildlife, crops, organic farming, livestock including Hampshire Down sheep, and Cleveland Bay horses.
Meta Description: [ sustainable agriculture and farming from the cholderton estate, hampshire, UK ]
Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) - Nonprofit information and data-transfer center promoting economically and environmentally beneficial agriculture and natural resource management. Located in Indiana, USA.
Meta Description: [ Conservation Technology Information Center ]
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) - Mission is to contribute to food security and poverty eradication in developing countries through research, partnership, capacity building, and policy support, and promoting sustainable agricultural development based on the environmentally sound management of natural resources.
Meta Description: [ The CGIAR's mission is to achieve sustainable food security and reduce poverty in developing countries through scientific research and research -related activities in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, livestock, policy, and the environment. ]
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center - Mission is to increase understanding of plant biology; apply new knowledge to help sustain productivity in agriculture, forestry and allied fields; facilitate the rapid development and commercialization of promising technologies and products; contribute to the education and training of students, scientists and technicians from around the world.
Earthwise Resources Development Australasia - A demonstration site for sustainable agriculture. Details of the site, courses in permaculture, location.
Meta Description: [ ERDA Permaculture Education, Garden and Ecovillage ]
Finca Loma Linda - Organization offers research, internships and community assistance with conservation, ecology, marketing and development within the Colo Brus region of Costa Rica.
Meta Description: [ Academia Tellus Mater is an education program designed by farmers and researchers to increase awareness of sustainable practices, move towards better environmental management , and support conservation projects. We work with local farmers and visitors in ]
Grace Factory Farm Project - Information, ideas, and strategies for activists opposed to factory farming. Topics cover the environmental, health, economic, social and animal welfare costs of large-scale animal production, as well as trends toward sustainable alternatives to factory farms.
Meta Description: [ GRACE Factory Farm Project works to eliminate factory farming in favor of a sustainable food production system which is healthful and humane, economically viable and ecologically sound. ]
Grazing Management - An Ecological Perspective - Publication edited by Rodney Heitschmidt and Jerry Stuth. Out of print.
GSC Sustainable Agriculture Project in Tanzania - Project by Global Service Corps (GSC), to develop sustainable farming in the Eastern Province.
Iowa State University - Sustainable Agriculture Extension Program - Provides information on events, research, education, links, funding sources, relevant to Iowa.
Meta Description: [ Iowa State University's Sustainable Agriculture Extension Program provides information on events, research, education, links, funding sources, and more information on sustainable agriculture in Iowa ]
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture - The center's objectives are to reduce negative impacts of agriculture on natural resources and rural communities, to develop profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources, and to inform the public of new research findings.
Long-Term Research on Agricultural Systems - Based at UC Davis, LTRAS is a long-term comparison of 10 conventional, organic and alternative cropping systems, both irrigated and nonirrigated.
Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center - Information about the center, its activities, and sustainable farming systems.
Meta Description: [ The Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center is a training center for sustainable agriculture in the uplands in the southern part of the Philippines ]
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture - Partnership between the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota and the Sustainers' Coalition. Cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture.
Protected Harvest - Independently certifies and labels farmers' use of stringent environmental and sustainable growing standards.
Meta Description: [ Protected Harvest is a non-profit organization that independently certifies farmers' use of stringent environmental growing standards. ]
Regional Information Service Center for Southeast Asia on Appropriate Technology - Resource on appropriate technologies in the fields of sustainable agriculture, waste management, textiles and renewable energy, primarily in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan.
Meta Description: [ Homepage about Regional Information Service Centre for South East Asia on Appropriate Technology (RISE-AT). ]
Seed Balls - Information on the making and use of seed balls in natural farming, plus other essays on biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and other environmental issues.
Small Farmer's Journal - Practical Horse Farming - A journal in support of independent family farmers. Offering information on the use of animal-power, organics and sustainable agriculture. Lynn Miller is editor and publisher
Meta Description: [ Small Farmer's Journal - Magazine for Work Horses, Draft Horses, Horse farming, Horse Logging, Sustainable Agriculture, Organics, Livestock, Books by Lynn Miller, Family Farms, SFJ, ]
Social Accountability in Sustainable Agriculture - Describes objectives, which are to improve social auditing processes in agriculture. Also organisational details and partner information.
Meta Description: [ The International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance ]
Sustain: the Alliance for better food and farming - Advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture.
Meta Description: [ Sustain advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture. ]
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Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods - Works to develop more effective and equitable forms of agriculture and natural resource management.
Meta Description: [ IIED's Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods (SARL) Programme of Iseeks to promote sustainable, equitable, decentralised agri-food systems based on local diversity and participatory democracy, thereby contributing to improved livelihoods and entitlements, poverty reduction, and long-term ... ]
Sustainable Agriculture Educational Project - Description on how to maintain soil fertility and how to reduce pH, soil erosion, pesticide use and salt levels. Links to other sustainable agriculture pages.
Sustainable Agriculture Network - Information on sustainable agriculture for producers. Grants available for sustainable agriculture projects.
Sustainable Agriculture, Policy Research Centre for - Steunpunt Duurzame Landbouw - A policy supporting research partnership between Ghent University and K.U.Leuven concerning sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable Animal Production: Workshops, Discussion, Resources - Download the proceedings of a series of conferences (held October 1999 through October 2000) on future supply and quality of food for humans and animals, animal welfare and health, the effects of animal production on the environment, the influences of new technologies, future animal production sites and global trade.
Meta Description: [ Conference Sustainable Animal Production ]
Sustainable Nutrient Management in Agriculture - Advisory software for consultants and extension workers to provide farmers with sustainable nutrition advice for their crops and cropping systems (organic and ecological farming).
Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture - Promotes improved and sustainable farming through better cultivation methods and crop diversification.
Meta Description: [ We focus on semi-arid agriculture, rural economic growth, natural resource management, climate change, plant genetic resources, and access to technology at the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture to increase opportunities and choice for poor rural communities in semi-arid areas to imp... ]
The Contribution of Soil and Water Conservation to Sustainable Livelihoods in Semi-arid Areas of Sub-Saharan Africa - Study discusses the positive influences and constraints for farmers to use soil and water conservation within the African nations of Uganda and Tanzania.
The Introduction of New Crops to Arid and Saline Zones - Describes potential new crops, and lost crops, for arid and saline areas, exchanged and field tested by two agricultural environmental schools in Israel and Morocco.
Meta Description: [ New crop candidates and lost crops for arid and saline areas,field tested by agricultural environmental school in Israel. ]
The Land Institute - Aims to develop an agricultural system with the ecological stability of natural grasslands, as well as a high grain yield.
Meta Description: [ Researches Natural Systems Agriculture, a mimic of nature's ecosystems. Programs in education and rural community studies apply ecological principles to human communities toward greater sustainability. ]
The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture - Dedicated to educating the US public on the importance of a sustainable food and agriculture system that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane.
The Rodale Institute - Details of research and promotion of sustainable farming practices.
Meta Description: [ Lots of exciting things going on at The Rodale Institute! WeÕll keep you updated on farm, garden, soil science, farm products, special events, seminars and workshops, children programs and our international centers subjects. ]
Tilth Producers - A Chapter of Washington Tilth Association, fosters and promotes ecologically sound sustainable agriculture in the interest of environmental preservation, human health and social equity.
Meta Description: [ Tilth Producers, a Chapter of Washington Tilth Association, is the organic and sustainable farm organization of Washington State. A membership organization of over 400 Washington growers, Tilth Producers fosters and promotes ecologically sound, sustainable agriculture in the interest of environme... ]
University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program - Searchable site with topics including what is sustainable agriculture?, biologically integrated farming systems, cover crops, earthworms, soil quality, and sustainable agriculture courses, workshops, and events.
University of Guam: PEOPLE - Offers an extensive collection of PDF publications for sustainable agriculture on tropical islands, covering topics from crops and aquaculture to business management and financial issues.
Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network - A grassroots, statewide advocacy organization for sustainable agriculture and family farms in Washington State. Mission, programs, links.
Meta Description: [ The Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network is a grassroots, statewide advocacy organization for sustainable agriculture and family farms in Washington State. ]
What is Sustainable Agriculture? - A detailed account of how sustainable agriculture integrates environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. From UC Davis.
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