Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Definition of Sustainable Agriculture


This is an interesting definition of sustainability from the 2011 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), Competitive Grants Program (USDA):

"The term 'sustainable agriculture' (NARETPA, 7 U.S.C. 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term achieve the following goals: 1) Satisfy human food and fiber needs; 2) Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends; 3) Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; 4) Sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and 5) Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole."

I notice that the 2011 AFRI calls for significant spending on small and medium-sized farms, entrepreneurship, and markets & trade.

This might be a very good area to apply my ideas regarding marketing efficiency.

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