January 23, 2014
The importance of agriculture is based on long-term planning and considering food as a valuable resource to be managed and sustained. The balance of small farmers and big ag are a part of the agricultural balance determining the next stage of food development. As the discourse and science of food are defined, “Farmers urged to help define sustainable ag” will be the topic of evolving focus.
Sustainable agriculture occupies the same ground as the stereotypical definition of art: “I know it when I see it.”
“South Dakota Corn Growers, though, learned from a pair of agriculture industry officials there is an ongoing effort to characterize sustainability and standardize its definition. Jennifer Shaw, head of sustainable sourcing solutions for Syngenta in North America, and Eric Heismeyer, vice president and commercial manager of Bunge Milling, said in a discussion at the Corn Growers’ annual meeting Saturday that an ongoing push for sustainable agriculture is global. Farmers need to be part of the debate to define it, they said,” reports Argus Leader.
It is a growing topic space to define sustainable agriculture. At this time sustainability is loosely defined but widely necessary when considering the effective way to manage resources, land and waste that is environmental safe, cost effective and ultimately supports the end user, the consumer.
Sustainable agriculture is not only an industry pull but a consumer push. The two are concentric and enable the ultimate success that defines the quality and quantity of food within the constraints of science, land, climate, education, regulations and the consumers appetite for organics or modified foods.
- Sustainability Infrastructure Connection of Rural to Urban (LAND sds)
- Should farmers give John Deere and Monsanto their data? (NPR)