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Moving Toward Sustainable Farming Practices Agriculture and Natural Resources Fact Sheet #533

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Moving Toward Sustainable Farming Practices Agriculture and Natural Resources Fact Sheet #533 http://www.metrokc.gov/wsu-ce 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 120 Renton, WA 98055-2980 (206) 205-3100, 711(TTY) Moving toward Sustainable Farming Practices Agriculture and Natural Resources Fact Sheet #533 Many compelling factors are prompting farmers to use more sustainable practices (see side bar for definition of terms). The high cost of energy, low profit margins of conven- tional methods, increasing environmental awareness of consumers, growers, and regulators, and stronger markets for alternatively grown products are just a few. Implementing sustainable farming practices is not always Stage II. easy and comes with some inherent risks. Lower yields and Substitute with alternative inputs and farming practices. reduced profits are not uncommon during the first year or Once you are using inputs efficiently, you can begin to two of the transition period. Nonetheless, with some replace resource-intensive and environmentally damaging careful planning and understanding of the process, adopt- inputs and practices with environmentally sound alterna- ing sustainable farming practices can meet with success. tives. Examples of such alternatives includes organic and biological pest control, composting, and biological control Principles of Sustainable Practices of weeds. A few guiding principles can go a long way toward increasing the ecological and economic sustainability of a farm. Some of these to keep in mind are: Organic versus Sustainable Recycling materials on the farm; The term organic is officially defined by the Using renewable sources of energy; National Organic Standards Board. Reducing off-farm inputs including synthetic chemicals; Using naturally occurring materials; Organic agriculture is an ecological produc- Managing instead of controlling pests and weeds; tion management system that promotes and Reestablishing natural biological relationships with the enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and farm setting; soil biological activity. It is based on minimal Farming within the physical limitations of the farm; use of off-farm inputs and on management Adapting plant and animal species to the farm rather practices that restore, maintain and enhance than vice versa; ecological harmony....The primary goal of Valuing the overall health of the farm ecosystem rather organic agriculture is to optimize the health than a particular crop; and productivity of interdependent communi- Conserving soil, water, energy, and biological resources; ties of soil life, plants, animals and people. Integrating the idea of long term sustainability into the April 1995, the National Organic Standards design of the system. Board, Orlando, Florida Transition Process The term sustainable is much less clearly Three stages of transition can serve as an outline of the defined; however, it is widely agreed that a steps farmers can take as they make the transition from sustainable farm is sustainable ecologically, conventional to sustainable practices (Hill 1985). economically, and socially. Sustainability is perhaps best thought of as an ideal to reach Stage I. for rather than an end to obtain and organic Increase efficiency to reduce use of costly inputs. agriculture as a method for achieving such a Fewer inputs will be needed and adverse impacts will be goal. reduced if inputs are used more efficiently. Examples include monitoring pests for better management, intercrop- Regardless of which term you prefer, behind ping (see fact sheet #531), and arranging crop patterns and both is the intention of farming ecologically. densities for maximum production. 1 Stage III. Redesign the farm system to function on the basis of Organic Certification ecological processes. By designing the farm based on ecological processes, problems are prevented rather than The Organic Food Program of the Washington State solved. An example is diversification of the farm using Department of Agriculture is the organic rotations, intercropping, and agroforestry (see fact sheet certifcation agency in this state. Funded entirely by #530 Diversity on the Farm). application fees, it is responsible for inspecting farms annually to ensure 1) there have been no applications of synthetic fertilizers or synthetic The transition to Stages I and II is reached relatively pesticides for at least three years prior to harvest, quickly. The transition to Stage III is ongoing. Research and 2) there is a soil-building program in place that that will help with Stage III is still developing. provides for healthy soil and healthy plants. How long? For information contact: Of course, no one set of instructions or recipes can lead to WSDA Food Safety and Animal Health Division a more sustainable farm. The transition time varies greatly Organic Food Program depending on the type of crops farmed, the ecological PO Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560 conditions of the area, and the history of management and (360) 902-1877 input use. The time frame can be as short as three years for annual crops and five years or longer for perennial crops and animal systems. Oregon Tilth Evaluation 1860 Hawthorne Ave. NE, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97303; Effective management depends on clear goal-setting and (503) 378-0690; email: [email protected]; effective decision making. The ability to evaluate progress web: http://www.tilth.org/. and adjust plans accordingly is key to making the transition Transition Document and In Good Tilth Newsletter to more sustainable agriculture successfully. In other words, the transition process means planning, monitoring, Seattle Tilth Association controlling, and replanning at all stages. 4649 Sunnyside Avenue North, Room 1, Seattle, WA Some of the activities of the evaluation process include: 98103; (206)633-0451; email: [email protected]; web: http://www.speakeasy.org/~tilth/. Monitoring changes over time; Observing yield changes in response to different prac- Vashon Island Growers Association tices, inputs, designs, and management; (A chapter of Washington Tilth) Noticing how energy use, labor, and profits change over11909 SW Cove Rd, Vashon Island, WA 98070; time; (206)567-4015. Identifying key indicators of sustainability and monitor- ing them over time. Washington Tilth Producers P.O. Box 85056, Seattle, WA 98145-1056; Resources (800) 731-1143. Talk to others. Get involved with local organic farming Washington Tilth fosters and promotes sustainable and groups, attend conferences whenever you can, and read, ecologically sound agriculture in the interest of human and read, read. environmental health and social equity. Tilth Producers, a chapter of Washington Tilth Association, is the organic Organizations and sustainable farm organization of Washington State. Tilth Producers publishes a farm directory and a quarterly The Organic Farmers Association Council (OFAC) newsletter, and sponsors an annual education conference. Contact: Blue Heron Farm, 1219 E. Sauk Road, Concrete, WA 98237; (206) 853-8449. WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural OFAC is a national network of organic farmers associa- Resources (CSANR) tions. Its mission is to expand opportunity for organic 411 Hulbert Hall, P.O. Box 646230, Washington State farmers, to build networks of support and to help agricul- University, Pullman, WA 99164-6230, (509) 335-2885; ture continue to develop with fidelity to the original spirit email: [email protected]; web: http://csanr.wsu.edu/. The purpose of the Center is to further the understanding of the organic farming movement. and application of sustainability in agriculture, natural resources, and communities through education and applied Organic Farming Research Foundation research. The Center acts as a facilitator to bring together P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; (831) 426-6606; interdisciplinary teams, both within WSU and in partner- email: [email protected]; web: http://www.ofrf.org. ship with other organizations. The Center provides educa- 2 tion on emerging issues through conferences and work- The Monitoring Tool Box. Land Stewardship Project, PO shops, on-farm testing and applied research, informational Box 130, Lewiston, MN 55952. For information on bulk materials, a web site, satellite broadcasts, resource library, orders, call (507) 523-3366. and personal consultation. The Monitoring Tool Box, along with its companion video, Close to the Ground, is for farmers interested in Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) learning easy-to-use techniques for monitoring the Rm. 304, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore impact of management decisions on their land, finances Ave., Beltsville, MD 20705-2351; (301) 504-6425; and family. email: [email protected] ; web: http://www.sare.org/san/. SAN is the communications and outreach arm of the Internet Resources Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. SARE is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Alternative Farming Systems Information Center initiative that sponsors competitive grants for sustainable NAL, ARS, USDA, 10301 Baltimore Ave., Room 304 agriculture research and education in a regional process Beltsville, MD 20705-2351; (301) 504-6559; email: nationwide. SAN is dedicated to the exchange of scientific [email protected]; web: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/. and practical information on sustainable agriculture The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center systems using a variety of printed and electronic communi- (AFSIC) is one of several topic-oriented information centers cations tools. at the National Agricultural Library (NAL). Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Sustainable
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