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WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE By Kelle Kersten Published in the Sylvanian, the
newsletter of the PA Chapter of the Sierra Club |
What
is Sustainable Agriculture?
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The definition of “sustain” from The Random House College Dictionary is ‘to keep up or keep going, as an action or process.’ It follows then that “sustainable agriculture”, in simple terms, means agriculture that keeps going. As an environmentalist I would like to add the phrase “without harming the environment” because I am thinking of the long-term. The short-term view sees that farms and farming still exist and believes they will continue to exist in spite of all the damage agricultural chemicals and highly mechanized farming have done to the planet. I am not going to discuss all the evidence to the contrary in this article; that information can readily be found elsewhere. Instead I am going to explore the idea of “sustainable agriculture”. |
Picture courtesy Pheasant
Hill Farm |
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Above I touched on one aspect of sustainable agriculture. To keep going, agriculture must respect the environment or it will not survive. For instance, if agro-chemicals kill beneficial insects, pollination of many crops will cease and these crops will fail. If the water becomes so polluted or scarce, crops will fail. If the land becomes so degraded from erosion, it will not be able to support crops. And I could go on and on. The environment is the base of agriculture and can only stand so much abuse before agriculture will not be able to keep going. |
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“sustainable agriculture”, in simple terms, means agriculture that keeps going. As an environmentalist I would like to add the phrase “without harming the environment” because I am thinking of the long-term. |
Conventional chemical-based agriculture is heading in the direction of irreversible damage, but fortunately, you say, “organic” agriculture is gaining in the marketplace. I personally do not think “organic” is synonymous with sustainable although it could be. There are many dedicated organic farmers that truly believe and practice the concept of creating a healthy growing environment for their crops so the crops will grow strong and resist pests. When a pest appears they do not reach immediately for the organically approved spray. Instead they look at their whole farming system and try to figure out what they can change to reduce the pressure from this pest to manageable levels. These farmers have a different view of farming: |
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A farm is an ecological system with checks and balances that functions much like a forest or a field in nature. The farmers try to work with nature instead of controlling nature. I believe this is the true spirit of organic agriculture. Unfortunately, as the organic market share grows, people that do not understand this are entering the organic arena. They look to the National Organic Program standards as a guide and only do what they have to in order to get organic certification and the organic premium. Basically they substitute organic fertilizers and pest controls for conventional ones. Their products appear in the stores with the organic labels and the consumer has no way of knowing that the organic integrity is just not there.
The fact that consumers do not know how their food is grown is directly related to the very non-environmentally sustainable practice of trucking food across the country and importing food from around the world. Fossil fuels are being burnt at record rates and contribute to polluted air and the greenhouse effect (as well as to instability in the Middle East) in order to transport food from the farms to markets in far away cities. A truly sustainable agriculture would rely on local markets where consumers would meet the farmers and know how their food is grown. Of course, the consumer would have to give up some types of foods not grown locally, such as oranges and bananas in the north, but they would learn to appreciate the local foods in season and learn to cook differently. They will become more in touch with the seasons and the weather and become more connected to the source of their food.
So if we have farmers that are truly dedicated to the principles of organic agriculture selling their products locally, do we have sustainable agriculture? I venture to say that there are few, if any, entirely environmentally sustainable farming operations because of energy use on the farm and inputs and equipment utilized in the farming system. Tractors burning diesel fuel and greenhouses heated by fossil fuels create the same problems as the trucks that distribute our food across the country. In addition, farmers buy products such as potting soil, fertilizer, soil amendments, and etc. that are delivered by trucks. Many of the products that farmers benignly use on their farms are damaging to the environment in their production and disposal. For instance, let us look at black plastic mulch and the plastic pots and seeding flats used by many farmers to start their transplants. Plastic creates pollution in its production and when it is no longer useful it goes the landfill. Plastic mulch must be removed at the end of every growing season, which creates large quantities of waste over the
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lifetime of the farming operation. In addition, the plastic tends to be torn by wind and cultivation equipment and cannot be cleanly removed from the field and pieces are always left in the field. Although the plastic pots and flats can be washed and reused, they eventually break and have to be replaced. Potting soil components such as peat moss are non-renewable and their use causes the disappearance of valuable wetlands. As you can see from these few examples, it is difficult for a farm to be sustainable if you look at the entire life cycle of materials used on the farm and take into account all the costs to the environment from production through disposal. |
Agriculture
will not survive if its practitioners, the farmers, cannot make a living from
farming. Some compromises
(environmental sacrifices) have to be made so farming can remain a viable
livelihood. |
A farm could be sustainable if it became a closed circle with no off-farm inputs. This would require a fairly small operation because all manures and other fertilizers would have to be produced on the farm. Seeds and planting stock would have to be saved from year to year. A return to horsepower and hand labor would be necessary to avoid the problems created by diesel engines. The smaller farm would feed fewer people so there would have to be more small farms. This is starting to sound like a prescription for another back-to-the-land movement on a large scale. Clearly this is not going to happen, partially due to a second type of sustainability-economic sustainability. Agriculture will not survive if its practitioners, the farmers, cannot make a living from farming. Some compromises (environmental sacrifices) have to be made so farming can remain a viable livelihood. The small farm model worked in the past because there were fewer people and the majority of them were farmers. Now we have significantly more people and most do not farm. In addition, much of our land is used for non-agricultural purposes. So we have a relatively small group of people growing food for an increasing population on a decreasing amount of land. Throw in stiff competition from cheaply priced imported food and you can see that farms are literally fighting for their survival. They cannot afford to attend to the environment as closely as they should. They cannot afford to hire the labor so they use tractors to save time. They do not have the time or facilities to save seed or make their own potting mixes. I do not condone this but accept it as the reality of the situation.
The prospect of achieving sustainable agriculture seems bleak from the above discussion. However, there are things farmers can do, and many are doing, that will benefit the environment and not hurt the pocketbook. No-till, minimum tillage, contour farming, cover cropping, and strip cropping prevent the erosion of valuable topsoil. Cover-cropping also adds nutrients to the soil and improves the structure of the soil so that water and nutrients do not leave the root zone of the crops as quickly. This reduces irrigation needs and the amount fertilizer that the farmer has to purchase and/or produce on the farm. Greenhouses can be constructed to maximize passive solar heating and reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed to heat them. Crop rotations and companion planting can reduce weed and pest pressure and reduce the need for chemicals of any kind. Some farmers are even experimenting with using biodiesel (made from vegetable oil) to power their tractors. As you can see, many of these farming techniques not only protect the environment, they also save the farmer money and time. Thus a balance is reached between the environment and economics. In the current times this is the only way to achieve sustainable agriculture.
Several recent trends give us hope that sustainable agriculture can become a viable alternative for conventional farmers who are struggling to afford to stay farming. Research funding is increasing for studying sustainable practices and there are efforts to increase federal funding for programs that will benefit sustainable farmers, such as conservation programs and grants for starting new farm-related businesses. Knowledge and financial assistance will encourage more farmers to incorporate sustainable farming principles into their farming systems.
How
Can a Consumer Support Sustainable Agriculture?
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Photo
courtesy Pheasant Hill Farm |
The best way to support sustainable agriculture is to purchase products produced by local organic or biodynamic farms. Since certification can be expensive, some farmers do not get certified, even though they comply with or exceed the standards. The only way that a consumer will know that these farmers are using organic/biodynamic methods is by getting to know them, visiting their farms, and developing trust. The three most common places to purchase local organic/biodynamic produce are CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), Producer-only markets, and on-farm markets/U-Pick. Retail stores sometimes sell local |
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produce, but tend to rely on national distributors for a more consistent supply. If a store does have local produce it may not be labeled as local so the consumer needs to ask. |
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Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
CSAs are a brilliant concept that enables a farmer to survive economically. The general model of a CSA involves the selling of shares at the beginning of the season. In return, the farmers give the shareholder members a portion of the harvest every week. Because the money is paid up front, the farmer has capital to use during the growing season. The members accept part of the risk of farming, so if there are crop failures due to weather or pests, the farmer does not lose everything. Many CSAs welcome member participation in decision-making, growing and harvesting the food, and helping with other tasks. There is no better way for a consumer to be connected with the source of his or her food.
Producer-only markets
There are a growing number of markets that are designated as producer-only markets. At these markets sellers can only sell products that they have produced. This ensures that the produce is local and the consumer has the wonderful opportunity to get to know the growers of their food.
On-farm markets/U-Pick
On-farm markets range from self-serve stands by the road to larger staffed stands/stores. Some farms have educational programs and/or special events such as hayrides, herb festivals, and cider pressing. And some farms utilize U-Pick schemes that give the consumer the chance to participate in harvesting his or her own food. On-farm markets/U-Pick fosters a vital connection between the farmer and consumer.
I keep reiterating the importance of farmers and consumers getting to know each other. That is the only way a consumer can really know that their food is grown sustainably.
A Few Definitions
Organic Agriculture- A farming system in which soil fertility is maintained by adding plant or animal materials rather than synthetic chemical fertilizers. Soil fertility is the keystone of organic agriculture. By maintaining a healthy soil, crops will be healthier and suffer less damage from pests. Management practices are used to prevent pests and the least toxic sprays are only used as a last resort to control pests.
Biodynamic Agriculture- A farming system that is very similar to organic agriculture in that soil fertility is the emphasis. Biodynamic farmers utilize special plant, mineral, and animal preparations and they also have a formula for making compost that minimizes loss of nutrients. Cosmic and earth forces play a role in crop production and farmers often try to plant according to moon phases.
Certified Organic- All organic farming operations and processing facilities (unless they gross less than $5000 from organic products) must be certified by a certifying agency that is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The National Organic Program (NOP) is the standards that all organic operations must meet in order to sell organic products.
Demeter Certified- Certification for biodynamic farms and processors.
Operations can also be both organic and Demeter certified.
Grass-fed/Pastured- Animals are raised on pasture as opposed to in confinement and a primarily grain based diet. This is the most ecologically sustainable and humane way to raise animals. It also produces the most nutritious animal food products.
Resources
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO)- Non-profit organic certifying agency. Educates farmers on certification procedures. Publishes directory of certified operations.
406 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Centre Hall, PA 16828
814-364-1344
National Organic Program (NOP)- The USDA’s marketing program for organically produced and processed food. Establishes national organic standards and oversees organic certification.
202-720-3252
The Demeter Association, Inc.- Non-profit organization that certifies biodynamic farms and processors.
315-364-5617
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)- Non-profit organization whose mission is “promoting profitable farms which produce healthy food for all people while respecting the natural environment”. Implements mission by offering field days and a nationally renowned annual conference the first weekend in February.
814-349-9856
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)- National sustainable agriculture information service funded by the USDA. It provides free information to farmers, ranchers, educators, extension agents, and others interested in sustainable agriculture.
800-346-9140
Local Harvest- Maintains a reliable nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, and other local food sources. Helps people find local sources of sustainably produced food.
NewFarm.Org- On-line magazine produced by The Rodale Institute. Its mission is to: “inform, encourage, equip, and inspire farmers with the support they need to take important transition steps toward regenerative agriculture.” Provides information on crop and livestock production, marketing, local food systems, and policy campaigns. Maintains database of farms.
Zoomer- The Sierra Club’s search engine that provides local environmental information including lists of organic farms, sources of organic meat, and farmers markets.
Northeast Organic Network (NEON)- Alliance of farmers, researchers, extension agents, and grassroots non-profit organizations working together to improve organic farmers’ access to research and technical support.
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)- Non-profit organization that reviews substances for use in organic production, processing, and handling. Publishes generic and brand name lists of allowed and prohibited materials.
541-343-7600
National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, Inc.- Non-profit network of numerous social, farm, religious, and environmental organizations that work “to shape national policies to foster a sustainable food system-one that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane.”
www.sustainableagriculture.net
845-744-8448
About the Author:
Kelle Kersten is the Chair of the Sustainable Agriculture
Committee of the PA Sierra Club. She
has over 10 years experience working on organic farms in PA, MI, and
Australia. She is an Organic Farm
Inspector and member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic and PASA. She is currently starting a veganic subscription
farm business on her small farm in the village of Stony Run, PA. She can be reached at magicjubilee@yahoo.com. Her local Sierra Club group is creating a
list of sustainable farms in the Berks/Lehigh/Schuylkill County region. It should be available Spring 2004.
02/2004