What is sustainability in agriculture?

Annotations:

• https://sarep.ucdavis.edu/sustainable-ag

1. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions
   1. Livestock animals producing methane
      1. Potential fed additive to reduce methane production by 40%
         1. This would be extremely expensive for farmers
   2. Nitrous Oxide
2. The main issue with sustainability is that it is a wicked problem, also known as, a problem with no solution but one that can be managed
   1. The lack of sustainability in agricultural practices is leading to worsening climate change
      1. Over using fertilizers that cause the release of nitrates into water supply, along with odors and gases into the air
      2. A vast majority of deforestation is driven by agriculture
         1. Deforestation causes biodiversity to decrease and weakens the overall structure of the land
            1. "Deforestation makes these areas highly prone to floods, loss of topsoil, mudslides and general erosion the rainforests would have otherwise mitigated." https://cms.qut.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/549900/ISD_Lecture-2.pdf
      3. Over irrigating crops
   2. A lack of understanding among those not in the agriculture industry
      1. Not realizing creating a sustainable operation is a LONG process

Annotations:

• https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/18/5120/htm

1. These practices include: minimizing water usage, reducing pollution levels, and boosting soil health.
   1. Minimize water usage by providing incentives for selecting certain crops, reduce irrigation (if possible), and managing crops properly to control water loss
   2. Reduce pollution levels by adding buffers to reduce waste runoff into water supplies, managing manure, properly using fertilizers, and facilitating livestock access to water that my impact the public
   3. Boost soil health by reducing tillage, using cover crops, and maintaining soil cover.
2. Economics are also extremely important to sustainable operations
   1. Farmer/Rancher wellbeing
      1. Consumers like seeing their products be produced by farmers that promote, care about, and believe in environmentally friendly practices
         1. This boosts local economies

1. Walmart and Tyson hope to be net zero by 2040
   1. "Achieving an overall balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere." (ClimateCouncil.org)
2. Nestle hopes to be carbon neutral by 2050
   1. "A balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks" (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/)

1. Those involved in agriculture are often made out to be the bad guys by those who do not have enough information on the situation
   1. In reality, we are all involved and play a part in making agriculture sustainable

      1. Annotations:

         • https://sarep.ucdavis.edu/sustainable-ag
2. We are often out of touch with where out food comes from and what goes into producing it
   1. Educating people on the process of how products make it to the shelves in the grocery store will help people appreciate and understand agriculture
      1. Consumers are demanding more sustainable and environmentally friendly operations when they have no idea how that really works

1. Learn the difference between necessity and luxury

1. Purchase from local producers if possible
   1. Buy responsibly if you cannot shop local
2. Start reducing water usage on luxury items/activities
   1. An easy example being golf courses
3. Start composting, walking and riding bikes

1. Solar, wind, hydro

1. Moving away from industrial farming and working towards fully sustainable operations