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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] definition of sustainable farming

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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] definition of sustainable farming
  • Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 08:10:37 -0500

I'm not sure there is a universally accepted definition of sustainable agriculture. I see it as a farming system which embraces as it's primary value the goal of using only those farming practices which enrich the natural resources of the farm rather than drain them. The idea is that the farming practices could be used indefinitely without diminishing the capacity of the farm to continue to produce at it's original levels, or greater. I sometimes wonder if it's realistic but I think we have no choice but to work toward a goal of sustainability if we are going to be responsible to the generations that follow us. Keep in mind that farming itself is a human construct. No other earthly creature "farms". So if farming can be natural at all is a really good question. But I think we can do a much better job of preserving our natural resources, both physical and biological, and meeting the food needs of our population. I firmly believe that at some point, we must acknowledge that the size of our planet's human population is the biggest threat to sustainable farming practices.
 
Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center
Hello! I thought this list would be a great place to get some great answers to this question: What do you think is the definition of sustainable farming/agriculture?
 
I have been struggling with how to describe our "style" of farming for places like the local SFA chapter, localharvest.org, etc. I believe our methods would be considered "sustainable" but I have been unable to find a clear idea of what is considered sustainable ag. We have a diversified farm--pastured pork, beef, and poultry; free range layers; organically grown orchard (well, just starting... trees are all new) and gardens.
 
TIA for your input!
 
April
Chicken Scratch Orchard and Gardens



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