Sustainable Horticulture!!

Carl MotsenbockerCo-State Louisiana SARE DirectorSchool of Plant, Environmental and Soil Scienceswww.lasare.agcenter.lsu.edu

The primary goals of sustainable agriculture include: Providing a more profitable farm income.

Promoting environmental stewardship, including:

Protecting and improving soil quality Reducing dependence on non-renewable resources, such as fuel and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and Minimizing adverse impacts on safety, wildlife, water quality and other environmental resources

Promoting stable, prosperous farm families and communities

(SARE, sare.org)

Sustainable Production Farm profitabilityEnvironmental stewardshipQuality of life for farm families and rural communities

Sustainable GoalsSustain economic viabilitySustain environmental stewardshipSustain social responsibility and quality of life

Sustainable is Not Always Organic But it is innovative

What is Sustainable Agriculture?

Answer: Sustainable includes many types of agriculture

When is Agriculture Sustainable?Maintains a diverse ecosystemReduces environmental impactsMinimizes pest problemsIt has to be profitable

Sustainability is . . .A goalA directionA guiding principle

Is Sustainability a Philosophy or a Set of Practices?Sustainability has to be adaptable and supportive of community environments

Sustainability is ProfitableIncludes production and processingBusiness concepts and marketing

Sustainable is Environmental ManagementSoil managementCrop managementLivestock managementWater managementIntegrated Pest Management (IPM)

Dont Forget MarketingMost sustainable operations fail not from poor production practices but from lack of marketing

USDA S.A.R.E. & the Louisiana ProgramSARE = Sustainable Agriculture Research and EducationSARE PDP = Professional Development ProgramMutual goal of both programs is to teach technical skills and to provide informationFocus on agriculture professionals

Louisiana SAREDr. Owusu Bandele, Southern University Agricultural CenterDr. Carl Motsenbocker, LSU AgCenter

Model State ProgramMs. Emily Neustrom, State Program AssistantLa SARE Boardhttp://www.lasare.agcenter.lsu.edu

Community Food Program Componentsnutrition educationmarket gardeningcommunity gardeningyouth gardeningschool gardeningcommunity supported agriculture (CSA)micro-enterprise developmentgleaningconsumer education and marketingbuying clubsbusiness trainingcommunity kitchensfarm to school programsfarmers markets. food policy councils

In the United States, approximately 80 % of the population and almost 73 % of Louisiana residents, live in metropolitan areas (US Census Bureau, 2007).

The complexity of the food production and transport system has increased as food production has shifted to centralized production areas with food typically traveling from 1500 to 2500 miles from farm to consumers table (Halwell, 2002).

Food insecurity: is where people skip meals or eat too little and they tend to have lower quality diets or rely on emergency food because they are unable to afford necessary food for their families. US poverty rate was 12.6 percent in 2005 with 37 million people, including 13 million children living in households at risk for hunger or that experience hunger (US Census Bureau, 2007). The poverty rate for Louisianans was 17.1 % in 2005 with almost 25 % of children in Louisiana living in poverty. Many Louisianans and Americans do not get enough to eat on a daily basis and often depend on emergency food sources.

Food AccessIn many low-income areas, full-service grocery stores are not available. Example, in Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR), Louisiana there are no full-scale grocery stores and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables is limited. Residents must travel out of the neighborhood to larger grocery stores as the local markets generally have few fresh produce available. Public transport available?The elderly poor, with little disposable income and fragile health issues often find it difficult to travel out of the neighborhood for grocery items.

Urban AgricultureLocal Food SystemsWhy buy local food?It is fresher, tastier and more nutritious. It supports local farmers and keeps more of your food dollar working in your hometown. It conserves energy and reduces output of greenhouse gases. It gives you a better picture of how your food is produced. Community Food Programs

School GardeningCan we interest students in science through gardening and garden-based activities?Can we impact childrens attitudes towards preference for fruits and vegetables?

Community Gardening

Youth Gardening

Market Gardening

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Partnership between local community members and local growers that work together to create and maintain an economically stable food system, encourage land stewardship, and promote community development.

Farmers Markets

Union Square, NYC

Nationally the estimated number of farmers markets has increased almost 250 percent from 1994 to 2006 Over 3700 farmers markets currently operating in the US (USDA-AMS, 2007).

Community Kitchens

Assist development of recipes and food production. Preparing, cooking, filling, labeling, flash-freezing and cooling food for sale.

Ex: Jubilee Project Inc., East Tennessee (http://www.jubileeproject.holston.org/)

Farm to School Programs

Garden sessionsGarden based nutrition educationGarden tastingsFarm field tripsLocal food in school lunches

Alice Waters, Edible Schoolyard www.edibleschoolyard.orghttp://www.esynola.org/

Community Food Program Componentsnutrition educationmarket gardeningcommunity gardeningyouth gardeningschool gardeningcommunity supported agriculture (CSA)micro-enterprise developmentgleaningconsumer education and marketingbuying clubsbusiness trainingcommunity kitchensfarm to school programsfarmers markets.

Food Miles: LettuceSalinas, CA to Baton Rouge, LA 2100 milesCharles and Jaynell Glaser, New Roads, LA36 miles to Red Stick Farmers Market

Community Food ShedUrban Agriculture