I see sustainable ag as incorporating more than just
production aspects of agriculture - it also encompasses economic
and community and environmental health aspects.
How can agriculture be sustainable if it is not profitable?
There will be no one left in the farming business! An economic
component is important.
How can agriculture be sustainable if it causes deleterious
effects to the surrounding community and people's health? There
will be no one left to live in or work in agricultural areas.
As I see it, one of the "beauties" of sustainable agriculture
is that it encompasses so many aspects of agriculture and rural
communities that are really dependent on each other for viability.
Sure that makes the system more complex, but it is the way the real
world operates. I don't think you can just focus on narrow
production aspects of agriculture. I like the broader definitions.
--Marjorie Rayburn
-- Marjorie Rayburn E-Mail : mrayburn@chowan Internet: mrayburn@chowan.ces.ncsu.edu Phone : (919) 482-8431