Revised statement of WSAA goals is enclosed.
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Goals of the World Sustainable Agriculture Association
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The ultimate goal of WSAA is to promote sustainable farming, food distrib=
ution,
consumption, and biocycling systems throughout the world. We promote sys=
tems and
public policies that enhance local and regional food security, in ways th=
at are
economically viable, socially just, and environmentally harmonious with N=
ature. =
=0D
WSAA's activities are guided by an operational definition of sustainable
agriculture adapted from Fred Kirschenmann's "New Paradigm for Agricultur=
e,"
(based on Meadows) which he presented at a recent Board of Directors meet=
ing. =
We consider the agriculture of a specific farm, region, or nation is sust=
ainable
if it has the following attributes:
=0D
* Does not use non-renewable resources any faster than substitutes be=
come
available and economically feasible.
=
* Does not use renewable resources any faster than Nature can regener=
ate
them.
=0D
* Does not generate pollution or waste products any faster than Earth=
's
planetary sinks can absorb, disipate, or disperse them.
=0D
* Safeguards inter-generational equity, respecting the needs of futur=
e gen-
erations.
=0D
* Maintains a people-to-land ratio adequate to sustain communities an=
d to
ensure competent, ecologicaly sound ecosystems management .
=0D
We recognize the importance of motivational forces inspiring farmers, pub=
lic
officials, educators, scientists and others to strive for a more sustaina=
ble
agriculture. These motivational forces often include love for the Earth =
and
caring for present and future generations of humanity. Recognizing the
interdependence of humans, other life forms, and the Earth itself, we pro=
mote the
use of production techniques that build upon the inherent power of the na=
tural
elements (the sun, the water and the soil) in establishing highly product=
ive and
safe farming systems, in harmony with Nature. Examples include crop rotat=
ions,
recycling plant and animal residues, enhancing habitats =
for natural enemies of pests through biodiversity, and many other site-sp=
ecific
practices. Closely linked to the sustainable farming systems are the soci=
al,
economic, and environmental dimensions, including the proper functioning =
of the
marketing and political systems and public policies, to ensure the well-b=
eing of
communities, families, and ecosystems.
=0D
We seek opportunities to enhance the work of public and private organizat=
ions
that foster the goal of a more sustainable agriculture throughout the wor=
ld,
reversing the many farming practices and public policies that harm the
environment, impair human health, and undermine food security, family far=
ms, and
the social and economic well-being of communities. We work with individu=
als and
organizations in many parts of the world, including government officials,=
international organizations, consumer groups, farmer organizations, unive=
rsities,
and other NGOs (non-governmental organizations). =
=0D
Established in 1991, WSAA is a private non-profit corporation governed by=
a Board
of Directors from seven countries. Organized as a federation of autonomo=
us
national branches, local chapters, and offices, WSAA now has activities i=
n the
US, India, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia, and Beijing Agricultural
University. Our staff also provides educational and advisory services to=
govern-
mental agencies and organizations in other countries (notably in central =
and
eastern Europe and Latin America), helping them to establish programs in =
support
of sustainable agriculture. The headquarters office is in Los Angeles, a=
nd
public policy activities are centered in the Washington, DC office.
=0D
WSAA is not a grant-making organization. Rather, we seek effective ways =
to help
others obtain resources essential to their serving, and a voice in determ=
ining
policies that shape their futures. WSAA is primarily an educational, adv=
ocacy
and service organization, a catalyst for action, and a convener of organi=
zations,
agencies, and institutions to support the global paradigm shift toward a =
more
sustainable agriculture.
=0D
The specific goals of WSAA are:
=0D
1. Global development and dissemination of scientific and technical =
information that will facilitate broad support for, and adoption of=
,
sustainable agricultural practices and systems among producers, con=
sumers,
policy makers, economic planners, health professionals, and environ=
mental
organizations throughout the world.
=0D
2. Strengthen and sustain research and education activities with vario=
us
organizations to promote sustainable agriculture and protect the en=
viron-
ment. Encourage the establishment of research and demonstration p=
rojects
on operating farms in sustainable agriculture in each participating=
country.
=0D
3. Enhance the work of existing and newly emerging organizations, agen=
cies =
and institutions in improving the exchange of practical and scienti=
fic
information for farmers seeking specific techniques and farming sys=
tems
that they can use to significantly reduce and ultimately eliminate =
their
dependence on ecologically harmful chemical compounds, and to conse=
rve
non-renewable resources.
=0D
4. Facilitate the exchange of production and marketing information in =
farmer-
useable form, to increase the economic viability of sustainable far=
ming
systems. =
=0D
5. Promote information exchange among policy makers on ways to encoura=
ge
development and adoption of sustainable food and fiber production s=
ystems.
=0D
6. Form a cooperative endeavor of organizations and individuals commit=
ted to
these goals, to accelerate and amplify the education, research, and=
policy =
activities of many nations, so that an ever-increasing share of the=
world's food supply will be produced with methods that are safe for=
consumers and farm workers, and environmentally friendly.
=0D
=0D
What Does the World Sustainable Agriculture Association Do?
=0D
The World Sustainable Agriculture Association is organized as a non-profi=
t
corporation with autonomous and self-supporting WSAA Branches in India,
Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and Beijing Agricultural University. =
Branch activities vary widely from one country to another, including such=
services as research and demonstration farms, educational programs, assis=
tance
to farmers in transition to sustainable farming systems, and information
transfer by publications and electronic network. Primary activities of =
the
US offices are as follows:
=0D
The US offices of WSAA include the world headquarters office near L=
os
Angeles, California and an office in Washington, DC. On-going activities=
of
the US offices include:
=0D
Public Policy: Appropriate public policies can accelerate a nation's prog=
ress
toward a more sustainable agriculture. But perverse policies can have a
seriously detrimental effect. We document the impacts of supportive vers=
us
antagonistic actions and policies of governments and private organization=
s. =
WSAA seeks opportunities to encourage policy makers in all countries to a=
dopt
policies that will promote the development and widespread adoption of mor=
e
sustainable farming and food distribution systems. =
=0D
The Washington DC office, as the primary focal point of WSAA efforts on p=
ublic
policy, performs analysis and formation of public policy, and advocacy fo=
r
sustainable agriculture. This work includes policy analysis at various
levels, from local case studies to national and global impacts. =
=0D
WSAA encourages implementation of sustainable agriculture and food securi=
ty
provisions of Agenda 21, signed by national leaders in Rio at the Earth
Summit. Efforts such as these require working with governments, NGOs, an=
d the
Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), which was established by the=
United Nations to monitor progress toward global sustainability. Equally=
important is monitoring and encouraging enhancement of sustainable
agriculture-related policies and programs of international credit and
development institutions, such as the World Bank, the International Monet=
ary
Fund, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO).
=0D
Urban Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: A primary goal is to hel=
p
instill greater peace and harmony in urban communities by providing child=
ren
and other urban dwellers with more opportunities to connect directly with=
Nature. In a new exploratory initiative, WSAA is seeking opportunities to=
help
public and private organizations to strengthen and support household gard=
ens,
community gardens, and community supported agriculture (CSAs) in around u=
rban
areas, featuring small to moderate-scale family farms relying on sustaina=
ble
(preferably organic) production methods. WSAA is now working with various=
public and private organizations in Los Angeles to discover promising
alternative models that may be established and demonstrated. =
=0D
Publication and Information Exchange: WSAA seeks to encourage and augment=
the
efforts of various organizations (both governmental agencies and NGOs) by=
publicizing their activities. We are preparing a book describing sustain=
able
agriculture programs and projects in many countries is being written. (Wo=
rking
title: For All Generations -- Making World Agriculture More Sustainable).=
Our
quarterly newsletter reaches over 1,600 persons or organizations in 88
countries. We also publish an occasional paper series and various issues
papers and reports. Several WSAA publications are being made widely avai=
lable
electronically through Internet and a home page on the World Wide Web.
=0D
Educational and Advisory Services: Our staff assists governmental agencie=
s and
other organizations in establishing programs in support of sustainable
agriculture.
=0D
J. Patrick Madden, President
8554 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
=0D
Telephone: 310-657-7202
Fax: 310-657-3884
Email: pmadden1@aol.com
=0D
March 28, 1996
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filename *.\goals
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