Ecological and Urban Agriculture
The whole problem of health, in soil, plant, animal and man [is] one great subject."
– Sir Albert Howard
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURESustainability has been described as “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”3 Some approaches to agriculture, such as USDA Organic, are defined by a specific set of prohibited farming practices. Sustainable agriculture, by contrast, is only loosely defined, often based on three criteria:
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AGROECOLOGYWhat can farmers learn from nature? Agroecology (agriculture + ecology) means building the qualities of natural ecosystems into farm ecosystems, in ways that produce more food, sustainably.6 These are some examples of such qualities, and how they can be applied to agriculture:
Efficiency: The concept of “waste” does not apply in nature; rainfall and organic matter are continually recycled by natural systems. Self-sufficiency: While terrestrial (land-based) ecosystems require only sunlight and rainfall, farms often involve hard work and many different resources. Diversity: Farmers who cultivate a diversity of plant and animal species together can benefit from the relationships between them. Resilience: Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to withstand or recover from floods, hurricanes, droughts, and other shocks. Farmland can be made more resilient against soil erosion (e.g., during heavy storms), for example, by planting trees and using other barriers to block heavy winds. |
ORGANIC AGRICULTURETo qualify for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic label, foods (and the farms where they are produced) must meet certain requirements. For example, crops must be grown without synthetic fertilizers and certain pesticides , animals must be raised in conditions that allow them to express their natural behaviors (such as grazing on pasture), animals cannot be given hormones or antibiotics, and GMOs are prohibited.
Despite its benefits, the USDA Organic label has been heavily criticized for—among other reasons—moving away from the organic movement’s original ideals. Long before the USDA established its standards in 2002, organic farming pioneers in the early 1900s envisioned a movement that emphasized small-scale production and community engagement. Today, much of the organic food industry is characterized by industrial-scale farms and distributors that ship products around the globe. |
"Sustainability is a journey, an ongoing process, not a prescription or a set of instructions. ... [Sustainable agriculture] requires that we envision the challenges and changes the future will bring."
– Fred Kirschenmann