What is Sustainable Agriculture?

In short, sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem.

Sustainability is a holistic approach to farming and production that respects the environment, the ecosystem and society; whereas organic is primarily concerned with environmentally friendly methods of farming. Sustainability is about the long term ability of the farm to be productive, be competitive, and efficient while at the same time protecting and improving the natural environment and conditions of the local communities.

In order to accomplish sustainable agriculture, three main criteria must be evaluated and met – environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. When all three factors meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, sustainable agriculture is realized. It is important to note it is the responsibility of everyone, including farmers, laborers, policymakers, researchers, retailers and consumers to achieve sustainable agriculture.
A sustainable farm is not necessarily an organic farm. If a grower makes one pass per season with a conventional herbicide, but has to make four passes with an organic method, there are several trade offs. An organic farmer has an increase in carbon dioxide out-put, increases soil compaction with risk of greater run-off, and fuel consumption increases. As compared to a sustainable farm which looks at the best possible solution with the least amount of impact on the farm and the ecosystem.
In 1990, congress addressed sustainable agriculture with the farm bill Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1603 (FACTA):

“an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term: satisfy human food and fiber needs, enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends, make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls, sustain the economic viability of farm operations, and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”

Here is a list of some methods currently being employed by wineries towards achieving sustainable grape growing and wine making:

Cover crops build new soils through natural fertility, control erosion, improve water and air infiltration, suppress weeds, enhance worker safety, and host beneficial insects.
Nesting boxes are being used to attract predatory owls that control rodents, bat boxes for bugs, bluebird houses for bugs and hawk perches to assist the owls with rodents.
Land not being used for vineyards retains their natural habitat.
Process water is reclaimed, treated and used for irrigation.
Grape pomace, pruning, and manure from farm animals are turned into compost for the vineyards.
Fermenting wines with native yeasts to impart complexity and character.
Hand harvesting, pruning, thinning and weed pulling.
Installation of solar systems to supply the needs of the winery and selling off extra to the power company.
Using organic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.
Use sheep to control weeds naturally instead of pesticides.
Free-range chickens that eat cutworms and other insects.
Drip irrigation to reduce water consumption and soil erosion.
Over head booms to cover two rows with mechanical pruning and fertilizing instead of one, saving on gas.
Electro-static sprayers to pinpoint applications of insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides to reduce over spray.
Host community events during the year explaining practices on the vineyard and at the winery.
Recycle waste products.
Purchase bottles and cases made from post-consumer waste.

Related Websites

For more information about sustainable agriculture, please click here.
For more information about sustainable agriculture, please click here.
To view the complete farm bill FACTA, please click here.