Applications of sustainabilityon the farm

Examples of sustainable practices on the farm:

Practices which protect and improve soils, conserve, recycle and improve the availability of crop nutrients, such as:

– Crop rotations, cover cropping, green manures, composting, intercropping and conservation tillage

Animal systems which effectively use nutrients from animal manures– Intensive rotational grazing,

composting, systems for manure collection and stabilization, proper application

Pest management aimed at reducing or eliminating use of synthetic pesticides and supporting beneficial insects.

IPM strategies that emphasize cultural, biological , and physical control methods such as:– Timing of field operations, pest resistant varieties,

sanitation, scouting, etc.

Emphasize reliance on on-farm resources

Integrating animals with cropping systems allows use of manures to supply nutrients

back to fields.

Greater diversity in biological systems

Planting mixed cover crop species in orchard rows adds an incredible

diversity of plant species to promote populations of beneficial insect species

to an orchard.

Particular emphasis in soil quality

Tilling in cover crops as a source of green manure; applications of compost; and

reduced tillage systems with living mulches.

Increase economic diversity to enhance and stabilize farm income

Have multiple enterprises to reduce your economic risks – choose them to compliment each other for cash flow throughout the year or growing season.

Example: Small acreage – vegetables/flowers

Five acres Vegetables, fruits and

flowers In-town location Selling direct to

consumer Follows organic

practices (but not certified)

Pest management

Long crop rotations Crop diversity Row covers for some

insects (leaf miners, flea beetles)

Weed management by cultivation and hand tools

Few disease problems

Irrigation

Drip irrigation - reduces water use and also reduces spread of

diseases

Season Extension

Longer growing season increases sales - early spring and later into fall

Hoop houses and floating row covers

Labor –

Weekly transplanting and weeding by hand = intensive physical labor

Soil building -

Cover crops and green manures – buckwheat, rye, hairy vetch

Makes compost – has a horse for manure and plenty of yard and garden waste.

Improved soil structure, water holding, will benefit through long term nutrient

availability

Fertilizing

Uses the compost and nitrogen from tilled-in cover crops

Occasional fish emulsion

Some producers use fish meal, greensand

Equipment

Small walk behind tiller

$3000

Garden cart

$200

Tiller used extensively in the rows to plant succession crops – every two

weeks

Marketing – Direct to Consumer

Multiple venues:– Farmer’s markets– Direct to Coop– CSA (subscription

sales)

Demands special skill, time and labor. Must have high quality produce. Producer captures more of the consumer dollar.

Marketing – Direct to Consumer

Quality of Life

Love what they do

Personal connection to people eating their food

They are doing their part in reducing use of world’s limited fossil fuels by selling local foods

Grow their own food

Summary

Farmers uses a variety of tools to:

– raise and sell their products for income, while

– conserving their natural resources of soil and water, and

– living a comfortable live that meets their needs or values.