Exogeny Network ™

What is sustainable agriculture?
It’s an idea focused on the farm becoming an environmental steward while simultaneously maintaining profitability.  In a way, it’s nearly a contradiction in terms in most people’s minds.  How could it be environmentally friendly in such an artificial way as most agriculture is?
It doesn’t have to be like that, a desert occupied by only a single species (and strain) of a particular plant, poisoned with pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.  That’s the traditional environment most of the modern industrial world’s food originates in.  Is that healthy?  Is it any wonder that cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other diseases are running rampant?

What can the average person do directly to encourage sustainable agriculture?

For the average suburbanite, there is little direct action that can be taken to encourage sustainable agriculture.  However, there are concepts that can be incorporated to your daily life and home routine. 

Reduce the space devoted to lawn.  Lawns contribute heavily to our daily exposure to chemicals through run off into ground water supplies, air pollution, and direct exposure by walking, sitting, playing and touching the grass.  By devoting a smaller space to the traditional lawn, it’s possible to begin reducing your lawn’s dependency on chemical fertilizers and herbicides, in addition to reducing air pollution caused by mowing and trimming your lawn.  Explore organic techniques to ensure your lawn space stays good looking with the least amount of effort.

Try edible landscaping techniques to utilize areas no longer needed by your lawn.  Many plants have a great deal to offer for looks in addition to being tasty on the table.  In addition, a fruit tree needs the same amount of care as a purely ornamental tree, and offers an extended period of time with its ornamental and tasty fruit ripening on its branches.  Many fruit trees will also attract birds, and in the suburban landscape it is a boon for their diets. 

Many ornamentals have an edible version, and there is no reason that a small patch of wheat can’t become part of  your landscaping plan for months before joining other bounty for fall displays indoors.  Many ornamentals are far less labor intensive and chemical dependant than the traditional lawn, and these bear consideration as well.  Some ground covers need little more than a winter mulch, debris removal,  and the occasional sprinkle during a dry spell to stay beautiful. 

What are indirect methods that the average person can use to encourage sustainable agriculture?

Support sustainable agriculture by supporting products marked as being produced by sustainable methods.  Contact your favorite companies and ask them if they are supporting sustainable agriculture methods by including these items in their products.  Write to and call your congressional representative and ask about upcoming bills regarding sustainable agriculture, and what their position is on these bills.

Check out your local farmers and farmer markets.  Often sustainable agriculture is utilized by small producers and family farms, as they already have a sense of stewardship of their land.  When you are hoping that your grandchildren will be farming the land, you are much more concerned about maintaining its healthy and viability as a farm in the future than if you are a big agribusiness concerned only about the bottom line.

Sustainable agriculture is important, it is our own future, as well as that of our children and grandchildren.  Without sustainable agriculture, we are looking at a future of progressively more desolate space where family farms used to stand, and face the possibility of the dust bowl of the 1920’s occurring once again as the land is repeatedly raped to ensure profitability.  Do some research, find out what is happening, and take a step towards a healthier planet.