2014 envirothon
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2014 Envirothon. Sustainable agriculture systems and organic farming. Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey | 334 River Rd, Hillsborough, NJ 08837 908-371-1111 | www.nofanj.org. What is sustainable agriculture?. Federally defined… Satisfy human food and fiber needs - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
2014 Envirothon
Sustainable agriculture systems and organic farming
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey | 334 River Rd, Hillsborough, NJ 08837908-371-1111 | www.nofanj.org
What is sustainable agriculture?
Federally defined…
• Satisfy human food and fiber needs• Enhance environmental quality and natural resources• Efficient use of resources, incorporate natural
biological cycles and controls
• Sustain economic viability of farm operations
• Enhance quality of life of farmers and society
Source: “Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms.” 1999. National Agricultural Library, ihttp://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/terms/srb9902.shtml#toc2
Focusing on Resources• Natural resources
– Soil, water, air, energy– Plants, animals
• Human resources– Personal goals– Community health
The Strategy – Whole Systems
1. Cultural2. Mechanical3. Biological
• Crop rotation• Variety selection• Fertility • Cultivation
• Traps• Physical barriers
• Predators• Parasites• Competitors
Nutrient Management – Build Soil• Organic inputs
– Mulches, cover crops– Rotational grazing/manure– Compost, inputs
• Crop rotation– Diverse inputs– Light/heavy feeders– Nutrient scavenging
• Protection– Field operations/tillage
• Beneficial insect habitat– Protected areas– Diversity in habitat
• Integrated Pest Management– Scouting– Spray timing/type/method– Cultural controls: row covers,
crop rotations, trap cropsGreat Road Farm
Pest Management - Insects
Pest Management – Bacteria/Fungi• Good food
– “active” compost– Variety of root exudates
• Good shelter– SOM building practices
• Cultural methods– Resistant varieties, crop
rotations, inoculations
Weed Management - Plant Communities
• Many Little Hammers– Tillage alternation– Flame-weeding, hand-
weeding
• Economic thresholds– Prevent seed production while
practicing tolerance
• Soil management– Keep crops competitive
Water Management• Irrigation efficiency
– Timers, calibrated– Directly applied
• Crop choices– Better scavengers, less water
use• Buffers
– Field borders, grassed waterways, livestock fencing
• Soil management– Improve water holding capacity
Take Home – Resilience!• Cultural, mechanical,
biological methods FIRST
• Build Soil Quality
• Encourage Diversity: land use, plant types, inputs
• Consider the human element!
What is Organic Farming?• Farming holistically – stressing biological,
mechanical and cultural farming methods that are tailored to the farm’s unique self.
• Federally defined, enforced• Allowed, Prohibited Materials• Contamination Prevention• Natural Resource Conservation• Livestock Treatment, Wellness
• Records, 3rd Party Inspections
The CornerstonesRegulatory• Record-keeping
– Reflect practices, inputs
• Transparency
– Consumer demand for
unified standards
Agronomic• Soil Quality
– Organic Matter Content
• Whole Systems Planning
– Interaction of soil, plant,
water, animal resources
Is Local the Same as Organic?
• Certification is federally regulated• Illegal to misrepresent a product
• Local is undefined• Political boundaries?• Distance?
• Know your farmer!• Understand the environmental impacts of farming• Reward ecosystem services
Direct Marking of Local Food
• Community Supported Agriculture Programs• Pay ahead – weekly distribution• Customer shares risk
• Farmers’ Markets• Variety of vendors, product offerings• Customer enjoys the experience
• Pick Your Own (PYO)• Customer harvests!• Agritourism
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