All rights reserved. Industrial farms can produce mass quantities of cheap food in a short amount of time; however, this efficiency fails to acknowledge several hidden dangers to the environment (such as topsoil depletion and groundwater contamination) as well as the devastating effects to family farms (poor living and working conditions for farm laborers, increased costs of production, and the decline of economic and social conditions in rural communities). Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser’s address (or “location”) bar. Furthermore, food that is raised, grown, processed, and distributed locally (to markets and restaurants) creates and maintains jobs, and therefore helps stimulate the surrounding area. Support research and education intended to help farmers and ranchers mitigate and adapt to climate change, Improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability, Improve the quality of surface water and groundwater resources. Message & data rates may apply. Raising cattle in free-range pastures allows them to move freely and engage in instinctive behaviors rather than the inhumane, overcrowded feedlot system where diets are made up of grains, animal flesh, bones, hooves, and remnants of hay. When soil is degraded, it’s also more difficult for it to hold in water, making it harder for crops to grow. This means that farmers and … Sustainable farming is the idea that any type of farming or agriculture that occurs in the world is done in a way that is intended as sustainable in the long term. A critical component of sustainable farming is treating animals with quality care and upholding practices that provide them with good health. Rather, animals raised in a sustainable environment are able to eat a diet that is more natural and biologically appropriate for their digestive system, but grazing also positively contributes to the environment in many ways: Food production should never hinder human health. Here are some of the benefits this agricultural model offers, and ways that you can help promote more sustainable methods. Emily lived most of her life in Orange County before relocating to Chicago, followed by NYC. They add that a wholesale commitment to its practices will mean inevitable food shortages for a world population expected to exceed 8 billion by the year 2030. Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. This is the practice sustainable farmers use to grow a number of various crops, in the same plot of land, during sequenced seasons. By leaving residue on the fields before and after planting the next crop, it helps to reduce soil erosion and runoff by 60 to 90 percent (depending on the tillage method used). Because sustainable crop farms don’t use any hazardous pesticides, farmers are able to grow vegetables and fruits that are safe for consumers, as well as workers and local communities. With increased efficiency of sustainably farmed lands, advocates hold that sustainably farmed lands may be as productive as conventionally farmed ones. Studies show that sustainable farming supports local economies when people can buy goods directly at neighborhood markets. The purpose is so that farm soil is not fixed to only one type of nutrient and can be adaptable, which helps to reduce soil erosion. A study conducted by the University of Minnesota showed that small farms with gross incomes of $100,000 or less made nearly 95 percent of farm-related expenditures within their immediate area. Based on a multi-pronged goal, sustainable agriculture seeks to: Sustainable agriculture frequently encompasses a wide range of production practices, including conventional and organic. Pesticides protect crops against insects, invasive weeds, and even microorganismsâand they often increase the yield produced by a given field. When you buy pasture-raised products, you’re taking a step to maintain good health, protect the environment, and improve animal well-being. In order to fully understand the importance of sustainable farming, however, it’s key to also identify the origins behind it. The .gov means it’s official. Similarly, sustainable livestock farms raise their animals without dangerous practices such as antibiotics or growth promoters. This site is also protected by an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate that’s been signed by the U.S. government. From humankind's first farmers to the present-day battle over GMOs, photographer Jim Richardson takes us on a 5,000-year journey documenting how agriculture has transformed our planet and how we must continue to transform in order to feed Earth's ever-increasing population. Based on a multi-pronged goal, sustainable agriculture seeks to:Increase profitable farm … You may be thinking, “So what? 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. The growing concerns over modern farming techniques have skyrocketed in the last several decades, birthing a movement that challenges the role of the agricultural establishment and their promotion of these harmful practices. With careful and responsible management of livestock waste, sustainable farmers are also protecting people from exposure to pathogens, toxins, and hazardous chemical pollutants. By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive text messages to this number from Thrive Market. Just ask the store manager to see what produce on the shelves are from local farms if there are no signs posted. Farmers minimize tilling and water use, encourage healthy soil by planting fields with different crops year after year and integrating croplands with livestock grazing, and avoid pesticide use by nurturing the presence of organisms that control crop-destroying pests. Questions? Sustainable agricultural practices are intended to protect the environment, expand the Earth’s natural resource base, and maintain and improve soil fertility.