03/02: Bellringer: Sustainable Ag

1. What does sustainable mean?

2. Describe four properties of Industrial Farming (i.e. monoculture)

Sustainable Food Production

Sustainable AgricultureSustainable agriculture: an integrated system of

plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term:◦ Satisfy human food and fiber needs.◦ Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource

base upon which the agriculture economy depends.◦Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources

and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls.

◦ Sustain the economic viability of farm operations.◦ Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a

whole. USDA Legal term: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/ag_systems/in_focus/sustain_ag_if_legal.html

Sustainable Ag PracticesCrop rotation◦ Planting a series of different crops in

the same field over a period of yearsConservation Tillage (no-till)◦ Residues from previous year’s crops are

left in place to prevent soil erosionStrip Cropping◦ Alternating strips of different crops

along natural contoursTerracing◦ Creating terraces on steep slopes to

prevent erosion

Sustainable Ag PracticesShelter-belts (wind-breaks)◦ Row of trees planted to reduce wind

erosion of soilCover Crops◦Non-essential plant placed near the

crop to suppress weeds, add nutrients to the soil, and control pests/diseases

Polyculture◦ Growing multiple kinds of crops

Drip Irrigation◦ Irrigation pipes that use less water

and trickle water into the soil

Green Manure & FertilizersGreen manure comes from cover

crops which act as a living mulch. ◦ Examples: alfalfa, clover, hairy vetch,

winter wheat◦ Helps with soil erosion, adds nutrients.

Natural fertilizers◦ Examples: organic compost, powdered

seaweed or kelp, mushroom compost◦ Amendment improves the quality of the

soil, drainage and structure, microbial activity, and increases plant nutrient availability

Sustainable PoultryCage-freeFree-rangePasture-raised

Poultry Benefits:◦Provide natural insect control◦Droppings enrich the soil◦Scratching aerates the soil

Sustainable practices can be applied with all domesticated animals.

The Story of an Egg - Lexicon for Sustainability (6:04)

http://video.pbs.org/video/2233336974

Urban FarmsUrban agriculture is the practice

of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around a village, town, or city.◦ Popular in the Rust-belt cities:

Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee (big Midwest Cities that used to be big steel cities)

◦ Detroit is the leader in Urban Agriculture. City Farm in Chicago

(Chicago Ave & N. Hudson)

Local FoodsLocavore: someone who is interested in eating

food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market.◦USDA defines as within 400 miles of where it is grown.

Find local food online: http://www.localharvest.org/

Local - Lexicon for Sustainability (5:40)

http://video.pbs.org/video/2233344131

Vertical FarmingCultivating plant or animal life

within skyscrapers, or on vertically inclined surfaces.◦Our living wall in the Aquaponics

Lab is a vertical garden.Maximizes crop output using

limited horizontal surface area.

Seasonal Growing

Buying and growing produce within the season in which it is naturally intended to grow

Required less pressure on resources, reduces to need to grow items thousands a miles away and ship them

View simulation at: http://www.vegetannual.org/

Farmer’s MarketsRetail markets featuring foods sold directly by

farmers to consumers.Provides fresh locally grown food and adds value

to communities.

Co-ops & CSAsfood cooperative (food co-op) is a grocery store

or organization collectively organized, run, and owned by members (consumers). ◦ Decisions are made by shareholders (members) so

cooperatives often exhibit a higher degree of social responsibility than corporations.

Community supported agriculture (CSA) food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers. ◦ Consumers typically buy "shares" in a farm's harvest in

advance.

ForagingForaging is searching for food

that grows naturally in the native environment (ex. morel mushroom hunting or picking weeds for a salad)

Goes back to the principles of hunting-gathering

Similar concepts have emerged for urban landscapes and people publish locations where you can find free food growing

Foraging – Lexicon for Sustainability (6:35)

http://video.pbs.org/video/2233349599

Exit Slip1. What is the difference between “cage-free”, “free-

range”, and “pastured”?

2. How is “locavore” defined?

3. How is eating a vegetable only in season a good thing? How is it a bad thing?

4. Describe one property of sustainable faming (i. e. polyculture).

5. What does sustainable mean? List two characteristics.