Post on 26-Dec-2015
transcript
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.