SustainabilityNovember 6, 2013

Exploring Sustainability in Agriculture

• USDA publication from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program (www.sare.org)

Primary Goals of Sustainable Ag

• Providing a more profitable farm income• Promoting environmental stewardship, including:• Protecting and improving soil quality• Reducing dependence on non-renewable resources

(fuel and synthetic fertilizer)• Minimizing adverse impacts on safety, wildlife, water

quality, and other environmental resources

Strategies

• No single practice works on every field• No one recipe works on every farm• We will explore how some people are trying to

achieve sustainability

Elements of Sustainability

• Integrated pest management (IPM)• Rotational grazing• Soil conservation• Water quality/wetlands• Cover crops

• Crop/landscape diversity• Nutrient management• Agroforestry • Alternative marketing

USDA SARE program

• Highlights and Success Stories, www.sare.org/highlights/• Success stories and agricultural profiles that highlight

diverse sustainable principles practiced coast to coast

• Funding Opportunities, www.sare.org/grants/• Research and Education Grants: primarily for scientists,

producers researching new sustainable ag practices• Producer Grants• Producers conduct research, marketing and

demonstration projects and share the results with other farmers and ranchers

• Typically $1,000 to $15,000

Class Assignment

• Read the article indicated on the assignment sheet • Discuss with others that read the same article:• Description of the farm • Background• Profitability• Environmental Strategies• Community, Outreach, Quality of Life• Difficulties in starting a similar farm in Indiana• Suggestions for improvements and expansions

• Closed book; team quiz

Assignment