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Posted 15 December 2008. Crop Management. New MSU Extension Publication Features Introduction to Sustainable Ag Montana State University. extn.msu.montana.edu Bozeman, Montana (December 10, 2008)--Though there seems to be growing interest in adopting "sustainable" farm and ranch practices, there isn't a cut-and-dried recipe that ensures sustainability.
To help producers choose sustainable methods, county Extension agents and other Montana State University faculty recently summarized sustainable farming and ranching practices in a free fact sheet titled "An Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Sustainable Farming." The term sustainable agriculture has been used and interpreted in many ways and its interpretation is still evolving. Still, a common thread running through these definitions is that sustainable agriculture comprises site-specific ranching and farming practices designed to meet current and future needs for food, fiber, energy and ecosystem services including, but not limited to, soil conservation, clean water and biodiversity. Specifically, sustainable agriculture emphasizes production and food systems that are profitable, environmentally sound, energy efficient and improve the quality of life for both farmers and the public. Sustainable agriculture does not rule out any particular technology and can be applied to large scale operations as well as small and niche market production. In other words, there is no pre-determined body of practices that by itself confers "sustainability." For example, the adoption of nitrogen-fixing cover crops, designing integrated pest management systems, practicing organic farming or implementing reduced or no-tillage systems does not guarantee sustainability. Conversely, sustainable agriculture does not mean the re-adoption of outdated production practices. Responsible use of newly developed technologies may play an important role in developing sustainable farms and ranches. So, if no single practice by itself secures sustainability, what can be done to reduce the negative impacts of agriculture while maintaining or improving its productivity and sustainability? In this publication, the authors argue that designing an economically viable, sustainable and productive modern agricultural system is based on enhancing the health of the land and rural communities and concentrating on long-term solutions rather than short-term treatment of symptoms. Transitioning to sustainable agriculture requires a series of steps such as becoming aware of the complexity of agroecosystems, adopting a systems-level and interdisciplinary perspective to farming and ranching, and aiming at maximizing many ecosystem services including yields, clean water and air, the presence of wildlife and other organisms valued by society, carbon sequestration, and recreation. While there are still many things we need to learn, there are many success stories. Producers across Montana, along with students and researchers at Montana State University, have developed sustainable farming practices. This Montguide provides several farming and ranching examples that illustrate how the use of these principles can help realize systems that are striving for sustainability. To obtain a free copy of this MontGuide (MT200813 AG), contact Fabian Menalled, the MSU Cropland Weed Specialist at (406) 994-4783 or menalled@montana.edu, visit your local county or tribal MSU Extension office or go to the web at the Cropland Weed Management Website (www.ipm.montana.edu/CropWeeds), click on "Montguides and Technical Bulletins" and look for the title. The publication is also available through to MSU Extension Publications, PO Box 172040, Bozeman, MT 59717-2040. Contact: |
