Sustainable Agriculture is complex and is usually described with three main goals or objectives that are interconnected:

1. – The agricultural practices should be ecologically appropriate for the area
2. – The practices should be economically viable
3. – The practices should be socially equitable (i.e. meet the needs of the local community and producers)

It is easy to imagine Sustainable Agriculture is as a three-legged stool.  Each leg is one of the goals or objectives.  All three legs support the seat of the stool.  If you lose one leg, the stool is no longer stable and usable.  For example, if you don’t have an economically viable farm or ranch with a good business plan, even if you have a strong background in ecology and a work-life balance with strong community agriculture support, the farm or ranch may not be sustainable over time.

Sustainable Agriculture focuses on the entire system of producer, consumer, economics, ecological processes, land, best management practices, agricultural inputs and harvested products.  It can be used by farmers and ranchers of any size, with any crop or animals system.  Producers can be conventional, organic or chemical free.  Any producer that wants to focus on longevity of their operations, lands, selves and families are practitioners of Sustainable Agriculture.

Some of the most popular topics covered include (but are not limited to):

– Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
– Soil Management/Nutrient Management
– Aquaculture
– Cover Crop Use
– Water Use Efficiency
– Organic Agriculture
– Direct to Consumer Marketing