JS Term Paper
- 1. Meghan Tedder Junior Seminar Sustainable Agriculture Practices at Farmer John’s Plot There are three values for sustainability but all work to ensure the needs of future generations can be met. For a practice to be sustainable, it needs to meet our economical, ecological, and social goals for an undetermined length of time. In essence, this idea acknowledges the need to make profit with respect to the community’s overall values and environmental health. Agriculture is connected to sustainability, like it is connected to the survival of human life. Consumers that shop at commercial grocery stores without wondering about the origin of their food are limiting themselves to unsustainable and processed food that competes with the local economy. Our industrialized culture is part of the problem, but a lack of education plays another strong role. The market for sustainably grown food is expanding, and I look forward to learning and growing some more. As of now most Americans don’t know where their food comes from or more importantly the methods used to produce it (Pollan 2006). Big chain grocers provide a wide variety of products but the bulk is unhealthy and unsustainable. Made in factories, genetically modified, or covered in pesticides, the modern food industry has brainwashed us into believing that all food that looks the same is the same, but this is far from the truth (Pollan 2006). Sustainable farmers are beginning to dispel this myth by educating and integrating the public into their practices. This movement is predicted to become “the norm in the future” (Tokuda 1990). I plan to learn these types of sustainable agriculture techniques through my internship at Farmer John’s Plot in Dublin NH. They participate in sustainable practices which include green energy, land stewardship, and healthy food networking. A concern over our future food security has allowed industrial farms to globalize (Conway 1985). Genetically modified seed is one method industrialized farms use to increase production (Pollan 2006). The seed is altered by scientists so that it can withstand pests and produce crops at higher yields but many times the quality of the land and nutritional value of the food is degraded in the process (Pollan 2006). Sustainable farming attempts to prepare us for this crisis through innovative solutions. By maintaining a self-sufficient farmthat conserves land while maximizing production in an environmental conscious manner, we can feed more with fewer resources. An article, Social Alternatives, by Tlaloc Tokuda (1990) further compares farming methods. Instead of degrading the land with harsh fertilizers and pesticides sustainable practices like, “Polyface” use chickens to add nutrients and remove pests from the soil (Pollan 2006). Another alternative to factories dependent on fossil fuel energy is the method of renewable energy like solar panels or passive solar greenhouses which many sustainable farmers utilize. In addition, mechanics of the farm bill and subsidies given to bigger corporations pressure farmers to produce on a larger scale and has led to family farm closings. In these areas industrial farming is causing more harm than good. Sustainable farms work to mitigate, or avoid these effects through innovational techniques and community initiatives.
- 2. Because sustainable agriculture is a relatively new concept, communicating the benefits of these practices through education and outreach programs, is key to the success (Lubell 2011). One example of cooperation aiding the community is how labor intensive sustainable farms are. This element creates more local employment and gives volunteers the opportunity to learn how their food is made (Tokuda 1990). Partnerships between community farmers provide a local network for sharing resources and strategies. The local farmers will borrow equipment to lower costs or collaborate to offer a wider variety of products to consumers. An essential element for effective sustainability is this social interaction. This “culture” of agriculture brings the human relationship back into farming practices and in turn, encourages community cohesion and development (Conway 1985). The most sustainable technologies are productive, profitable, and efficient at managing resources (Shafer 2009). The degree to which these practices are applied determines a farms overall sustainability. Evaluating sustainability in agriculture is very complex. Each practice must be assessed individually and geographically to determine its degree of sustainability. In the article Moving toward Sustainability, Peter Oram, (1988), a researcher at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington D.C. stresses that the “agricultural technology must be more closely tailored to specific environments”. He continues to define “agroecological zoning” which was coined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to categorize the best techniques by environment. The research reports the carrying capacity of the land as well as how sustainable the technologies are so that farmers can utilize this resource to improve their efficiency. Through research funded by the National Science Foundation and published in Ecology and Society (Lubell 2011), each individual practice (i.e. soil management) is broken down further by their economic costs, economic benefits, and environmental benefits to determine their effectiveness. Another factor they studied was the impact of “knowledge gaps” which they hypothesize, is why some good natured farmers in practice aren’t very sustainable. Programs through the Agricultural Resource System and other advocacy groups offer education for farmers on sustainability by consulting with experts and researching resource management techniques, most of which follow natural ecosystemprocesses and limit farmers’ expenses (Shafer 2009). These sources allow motivated farmers to improve their techniques and remain competitive in the market place. The site of my internship where I will be experimenting with these sustainable practices is Farmer John’s Plot in Dublin, New Hampshire. It is a non-profit that started in 2010 with the goal of bringing the highest quality “beyond organic” food to the Monadnock region (Sandri 2010). The program started through land donations and has been able to expand through the generosity of its supporters, consumers, volunteers and interns. Because the plots of land are donated, the fields are a little scattered but they are within ten minute drives of each other. Since it’s a relatively rural area, the farm has to market its products in several ways. Once a week they are visited by the Community Supported Agriculture initiative. This program sells Farmer John’s shares to consumers, who in turn receive weekly produce baskets throughout the growing season. Traveling to Keene for farmers markets as well as opening their own farm
- 3. stand daily adds to their marketing efforts. Lastly, there are pick-ups by the local schools and other corporations that buy in bulk and support the organizations success. I find this farm particularly interesting because it is a non-profit. From what I learned through my interview, they have to be creative in order to develop green technologies that are also affordable for them. Balancing finances in a non-profit can be a struggle. Rigging an air- conditioner as a refrigerant, in one of their root cellars is one example of their frugality. Another challenge to their farming practices is the timing of crop rotation. Through sustainable techniques such as “companion planting” (mixing plants) and by composting, they work to ensure their soil is rich year after year (Sandri 2010). The geography influences many of the techniques used on this farm. According to a feature in the Monadnock Table on their plot, the outdoor growing season in NH is only 20 weeks long (Karush 2014). To extend this, Farmer John utilizes several indoor farming methods such as: “low tunnels, unheated high tunnels, heated greenhouses, passive solar structures, even hot water pipes buried a foot or so below the soil”(Karush 2014). I intend to submerge myself into this experiential learning by working on the plot, attending markets, visiting other farms and assisting with outreach. Embarrassingly enough for an Environmental Science major, I have not spent much time digging around a garden, planting seeds or feeding livestock. Although these may seemlike simple farming skills I amexcited to learn and perfect them. From there my goal is to become more aware of the ecological cycles and how Farmer Johns Plot supports these symbiotic relationships. Working hands on with the horticulture and livestock managers will give me basic land management skills. Interacting with volunteers, consumers, and other farmers is an area I want to focus on. After observing the network of farmers and community outreach efforts, I hope to have a more concrete understanding of what it takes to run a local farm.
- 4. References Cline, J. (2014). Dimensions and Constraints of Farm Management. Lecture conducted from , Keene, April 28 2014. Attended. Conway (1985). Meeting the Expectations of the Land: Essays in Sustainable Agriculture & Stewardship. (1985).Environment, 27(7), 30. Gold, M. (2012). Sustainable Agriculture: Information Access Tools. Sustainable Agriculture: Information Access Tools. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/agnic/susag.shtml Karush, B. (2014). Good Dirt All Year Round: How Monadnock Farmers Extend the Harvest Season. Monadnock Table, 16, 19-21. Lubell, M., & Hills, V. (2011). Innovation, Coorperation, and the Perceived Benefits and Costs of Sustainable Agriculture Practices. Ecology and Society, 16.4. Oram, P. A. (1988). Moving toward sustainability: Building the Agroecological Framework. (Cover story). Environment, 30(9), 14-18. Pollan, M. (2006). The omnivore's dilemma: a natural history of four meals. New York: Penguin Press. Sandri, J. (2010). Main menu. Farm Johns Plot. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://farmerjohnsplot.com/about/ Shafer, S. (2009). Efficient and Economical Practices for Maximum Production and Environmental Stewardship. Agricultural Research, 2. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from the EbscoHist database. Tokuda, T. (1990). Sustainable Agriculture. Social Alternatives, 9.3, 27-31.