Sustainable Agriculture is a concept whose time has come. It is also a historic trend that has been in practice of some cultures for millennia, but unfortunately not in all. Here in the United States most of our current agriculture is large scale corporate farming. Although it has provided the world with many benefits, it has done so at great cost to both the natural environment and American culture. We have exported this kind of agriculture, with its reliance on mechanization, petrochemical fertilizer and pesticides, capital intensive inputs and monoculture throughout the world. In some cases, this may be appropriate, but for the majority of the world’s farmers, it is not.
            Of course it is a noble goal to eliminate global hunger. The Green Revolution tried to do this, and greatly increased crop yields. Today’s technology in genetic research and transgenetic manipulation bring ethical questions and potentially great rewards and disasters. These issues need to be dealt with on official policy levels.
            Genetic diversity must be preserved and greater efforts need to be undertaken to ensure survival of different species. The practice of economic botany should give more weight to the protection of habitat and conservation. Steps should also be taken to preserve germplasm and cultivated varieties. We can often help improve the future by looking to the past. Groups like Seed Savers and NAFEX have good intentions, but need more resources. There have been thousands of heirloom varieties that are endangered that might fulfill specific roles and have unique characteristics and immunities.
            Sustainable agriculture is more than just plants, animals and techniques. It is also about people and their livelihoods. Everyone needs food. Customs and traditions need to be taken into account when practicing agriculture. After all, “culture” is an essential part in agriculture. The average small farmer needs development that is different that the large corporate farmer. Research should be directed for the small scale, multi-use farmer, so that he can not only feed his family, but also make a profit and provide for others. I am a firm believer in agroforestry and realize this could help much of the world. Haiti is a classic example of a nation that needs reforestation in order to improve the environment and bring back the country from social and ecological disaster.

            There are many other issues that could be improved by sustainable agriculture, the ones I mentioned are but a few. I hope that more people will become aware of our agricultural needs.