The preservation of farmland makes little sense unless that land is productive. Farmland cannot simply be set aside as empty space; rather, it must be a vital and balanced part of Oregon's economy, for decades and centuries. Where there are rising fuel prices, the costs of food will also rise, and even more so when that food comes from far away. And with the advent of the era of global warming, uncertainty abounds for the long term.

All of these factors and many more incline Friends of French Prairie to promote sustainable agriculture. "Sustainable" is today's term for any venture that can survive in more or less its present form across the years. To be sustainable, farming must produce healthful and affordable local food, protect the soil and environment, and pay the bills. This page, therefore serves as a gateway to sustainable agriculture.

The material found here is intended to provide an overview of the subject, define its relevance for French Prairie, and educate the reader.

Click on the links below to go to the individual section treating the issue.

Major Topics Described on this page:

• What is Sustainable Agriculture? (posted 08/15/08)
• Sustainable Agriculture Presentation (posted 12/15/09)
• FOFP Supports & Promotes Sustainable Agriculture (posted 08/15/08)
• White Papers & Media articles on the subject (updated 01/29/09)
• Relevant and helpful links on the subject (updated 08/15/08)

What is Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. A variety of philosophies, policies and practices have contributed to these goals. People in many different capacities, from farmers to consumers, have shared this vision and contributed to it. Despite the diversity of people and perspectives, the following themes commonly weave through definitions of sustainable agriculture.

Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Stewardship of human resources includes consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of laborers, the needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the future. Stewardship of land and natural resources involves maintaining or enhancing this vital resource base for the long term by stewarding the food production resource base for the use of future generations.

A systems perspective is essential to understanding sustainability. The system is envisioned in its broadest sense, from the individual farm, to the local ecosystem, and to communities affected by this farming system both locally and globally. An emphasis on the system allows a larger and more thorough view of the consequences of farming practices on both human communities and the environment. A systems approach gives us the tools to explore the interconnections between farming and other aspects of our environment.
A systems approach also implies interdisciplinary efforts in research and education. This requires not only the input of researchers from various disciplines, but also farmers, farmworkers, consumers, policymakers and others.

Making the transition to sustainable agriculture is a process. For farmers, the transition to sustainable agriculture normally requires a series of small, realistic steps. Family economics and personal goals influence how fast or how far participants can go in the transition. It is important to realize that each small decision can make a difference and contribute to advancing the entire system further on the "sustainable agriculture continuum." The key to moving forward is the will to take the next step.

Finally, it is important to point out that reaching toward the goal of sustainable agriculture is the responsibility of all participants in the system, including farmers, laborers, policymakers, researchers, retailers, and consumers. Each group has its own part to play, its own unique contribution to make to strengthen the sustainable agriculture community.

Excertped from: University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program.  Download the entire paper in PDF here, or visit the UC Davis web site.

Sustainable Agriculture Presentation

View a presentation entitled “What is Sustainable Agriculture? Why is it important?” by Nick Andrews, Small Farms Extension Agent at the North Willamette Research & Extension Center (OSU). Download the PDF here.

FOFP Supports & Promotes Sustainable Agriculture

FOFP supports sustainable agriculture as an approach that moves away from monoculture crops raised thousands of miles away, addresses the high transportation costs associated with monoculture, encourages good land stewardship, helps preserve agricultural lands near metro areas, and helps local farmers prosper.

White Papers & Media Articles on the subject

Local subjects (i.e. French Prairie, Oregon, Northwest, etc.)
	Willamette Basin's stream health in jeopardy Oct 20, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	Canola good for biofuels, bad for other crops Sept 1, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	Oil seed for bio-fuels August 28, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	Meat producers feed demand for home deliveries July 3, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	US must cultivate young farmers February 13, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	Service separates distributor from competition February 12, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	Ag needs to be a priority February 12, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	Farmers giving up field after field January 26, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	California drought may mean costlier groceries January 26, 2009 [Download PDF here]
	Drought Losses pass a quarter of a billion dollars September 8, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Plowing a middle ground on farms: Ag and development interests square off December 12, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Best of both worlds unite: organic no-till can save time, fuel and other input costs December 12, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	It Could Happen To Our Food Supply December 5, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Distributors Offer Growers Tips on Marketing Produce November 28, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	ODA - Oregon Agriculture Production 2008 November 27, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Oregon Agriculture: A Success Story Worth Protecting October 7, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Slow Food Nation talks food policy September 5, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Dairyman touts organics September 5, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	ODA Mulls Sustainable Certification August 22, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Virtual Marketplace Goes Online August 22, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Oregon at a Crossroads: Saving French Prairie August 15, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Top Crops (in Oregon) August 9, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Community Supported Agriculture's get their participant's share August 8, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	A Shipping Case In Point: the blueberries’ trek August 8, 2008 [Download PDF here]
National, Global level subjects
	The new face of hunger: Briefings April 17, 2008 [Download PDF here]
	Food Prices--Cheap no more: Opinion December 6, 2007 [Download PDF here]

Relevant and Helpful Links on the Subject