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Elements of <strong>Susta<strong>in</strong>ability</strong> 6 Farmers and ranchers can choose many ways to improve their susta<strong>in</strong>ability, and these vary from region to region, state to state and farm to farm. However, some common sets of practices have emerged, many of them aimed at greater use of on-farm or local resources. Some of those practices are illustrated here, each contribut<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> some way to long-term farm profitability, environmental stewardship and improved quality of life. 1 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) IPM is an approach to manag<strong>in</strong>g pests by comb<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools <strong>in</strong> a way that m<strong>in</strong>imizes economic, health and environmental risks. 2 ROTATIONAL GRAZING Management-<strong>in</strong>tensive graz<strong>in</strong>g systems take animals out of the barn and <strong>in</strong>to the pasture to provide high-quality forage and reduced feed costs while avoid<strong>in</strong>g manure buildup. 3 SOIL CONSERVATION Many soil conservation methods, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g strip cropp<strong>in</strong>g, reduced tillage and no-till, help prevent loss of soil due to w<strong>in</strong>d and water erosion. 4 WATER QUALITY/WETLANDS Water conservation and protection have become important parts of agricultural stewardship. Practices such as plant<strong>in</strong>g riparian buffer strips can improve the quality of dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g and surface water, as well as protect wetlands. 5 COVER CROPS Grow<strong>in</strong>g plants such as rye, clover or vetch after harvest<strong>in</strong>g a gra<strong>in</strong> or vegetable crop or <strong>in</strong>tercropp<strong>in</strong>g them can provide several benefits, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g weed suppression, erosion control and improved soil nutrients and soil quality. 6 CROP/LANDSCAPE DIVERSITY Grow<strong>in</strong>g a greater variety of crops and livestock on a farm can help reduce risks from extremes <strong>in</strong> weather, market conditions or pests. Increased diversity of crops and other plants, such as trees and shrubs, also can contribute to soil conservation, wildlife habitat and <strong>in</strong>creased populations of beneficial <strong>in</strong>sects. 7 NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT Proper management of manure, nitrogen and other plant nutrients can improve the soil and protect the environment. Increased use of on-farm nutrient sources, such as manure and legum<strong>in</strong>ous cover crops, also reduces purchased fertilizer costs. 8 AGROFORESTRY Agroforestry covers a range of tree uses on farms, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ter-plant<strong>in</strong>g trees (such as walnuts) with crops or pasture, grow<strong>in</strong>g shade-lov<strong>in</strong>g specialty crops <strong>in</strong> forests, better manag<strong>in</strong>g woodlots and w<strong>in</strong>dbreaks, and us<strong>in</strong>g trees and shrubs along streams as buffer strips. 9 ALTERNATIVE MARKETING Farmers and ranchers across the country are f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g that <strong>in</strong>novative market<strong>in</strong>g strategies can improve profits. Direct market<strong>in</strong>g of agricultural goods may <strong>in</strong>clude sell<strong>in</strong>g at farmers markets, roadside stands or through the World Wide Web; deliver<strong>in</strong>g to restaurants and small grocers; and runn<strong>in</strong>g community-supported agriculture (CSA) enterprises.
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