Blog Entry #5 Sustainable Farming

What is sustainable farming?  It's not something I had thought about prior to taking this course.  Now, I think I will be much more aware, and will enlighten others to the benefits of sustainable agriculture.  There are three major elements of sustainalbe farming.  1) Social, or community.  The products of the farming should be locally grown, and should be abundant for the community.  2) Economic.  The farms must be viable, and they must provide affordable food for the community.  3) Environmental.  The farms should reduce harm to the environment, decrease energy use and erosion, provide fertile soil, minimal use of water to function, and provide genetically diverse crops.  It sounds like a lot, but with some research and education, it is not only possible, but should be preferred.

The ecological principles that are woven into the framework or sustainable farming are those used in permaculture as well.  They include adaptation, behavior, diversity, emergent properties, engery flow, growth and development, limits and regulation. 

Permaculture relies on synergy between all elements used.  It is modeled after natural ecosystems, whre the product of one element feeds the needs of adjacent elements.  One plant gives off nutrients that are used by surrounding plants.  The shade of one tree protects the plants growing beneath it.  The waste of an animal enriches the soil, providing nutrients for the animal's food to grow.  There is minimal waste, and maximum benefit for the environment.

Organic food is grown using natural pest control, and no chemicals or artificial fertilizers.  It has not been shown to be better tasting, more nutritious or safer for human comsumption.  But, I do feel that organically grown food is better for the environment.  That being said, I do not typically buy organically grown food.  It is more expensive, and it is not as easy to find.  I do, however, go to local farmer's markets.  Most of the food purchased there is grown locally, and organically.  I feel that we should all buy locally grown food, including seafood, to live a more sustainable and environmentally sound life.

I do not feel particuarly connected to the current food system.  I am enjoying learning more, and hope to apply this knowledge to purchase food that is grown in a sustainable way.  My husband grows some vegetables in our backyard.  I wasn't very interested in his little garden in the past, but now I will be more involved.  He did use some features of permaculture, such as planting flowers with the tomato plants to help with pest control.  He also planted green beans with the tomato plants.  He has begun to compost our kitchen waste, to use as fertilizer.  I think every little bit helps, and each person can make a small difference in their community.