Applying the principles of sustainable agriculture
DAVID MINK GateHouse Plus

The phrase "sustainable agriculture" is a far-reaching term. It not only refers to the act of planting and growing crops, but also to the acts of maintaining environmental, social and financial sustainability. A rich, natural ecosystem will continue to produce good crop yields for lifetimes. Good crop yields will produce good financial yields, as well, sustaining your home and family. Selling those crops to your neighbors rather than the world at large will sustain the community, which in turn helps fund your next year of agriculture.

Transitioning your farm into a sustainable ecosystem is not a terribly difficult venture, but it does require dedication and attention to detail. There are thousands of different factors that maintain a natural ecosystem, but with a few helpful pointers you should be well on your way.

An ecosystem can perpetuate its own existence; think of the "circle of life." With no human interference, nature would be a perfect machine. However, we affect things. Herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, tillage, pollution - all these things adversely affect the ecosystem, preventing it from producing vegetation and wildlife in the most efficient way possible. Through some simple steps from Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, you can turn your farm back into a sustainable resource.

• Keep the soil covered throughout the year

Soil is a very vital part of the ecosystem. It houses the nutrients and water used to grow plant life, and it also reintroduces water and nutrients into the system from rain and dead plant and animal life, respectively. Under natural conditions, soil remains covered throughout the year. This coverage moderates temperature extremes, increases water penetration and storage, enhances soil aeration and prevents soil erosion. Uncovered soil is subject to erosion from rain and wind, resulting in major productivity losses. The ATTRA noted, for instance, that top soil removed by erosion contains three times more nutrients and up to five times more organic matter and soil left behind. Five tons of topsoil, in fact, can easily contain 100 pounds of nitrogen, 60 pounds of phosphate, 45 pounds of potash, two pounds of calcium, 10 pounds of magnesium and eight pounds of sulfur.

• Don't moldboard plow - ever

Your soil suffers considerable damage when you plow it over. Turning the soil buries the nutrient-rich top layer, turns under the all important ground cover, and exposes loose soil to wind and water erosion. All of this damages the mineral and water cycles. Remember, you want your farm to run as naturally as possible. Nowhere in nature is there some type of "plow cow" that turns the soil over naturally. If nature couldn't do it anyway, don't do it yourself. Use no-till technology to plant your crops without damaging the important cycles of your ecosystem.

- Information courtesy of ATTRA.