How does farm diversity facilitate sustainable agriculture?

Question

What are the advantages of farm diversity (mixed crop and livestock)? Economic and ecological advantages?

Answer 1

Well it does allow for more options than a monoculture allows. The purpose of sustainable agriculture is more considerate of nature in that it models it somewhat. Economically it is kind of a trade off. Your input is eventually lowered but also so is the yield over a long term. Science attempts to correct that but as yet, there is still a lot of work.

Answer 2

(The following is from one of my favorite articles on the subject. There is much more on the web-page given. Please do go take a look if you are interested in the subject. I practice sustainable farming, and am still learning every single day, and my yields are LARGER, stronger and healthier than those of others who farm monoculturally and with inorganic fertilizers/pesticides. Later in the same article, it also mentions in length integrating animal husbandry into farm production, for healthier and more complete cycles.)

Agriculture has changed dramatically, especially since the end of World War II. Food and fiber productivity soared due to new technologies, mechanization, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies that favored maximizing production. These changes allowed fewer farmers with reduced labor demands to produce the majority of the food and fiber in the U.S.

Although these changes have had many positive effects and reduced many risks in farming, there have also been significant costs.Prominent among these are topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers, increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities.

A growing movement has emerged during the past two decades to question the role of the agricultural establishment in promoting practices that contribute to these social problems. Today this movement for sustainable agriculture is garnering increasing support and acceptance within mainstream agriculture. Not only does sustainable agriculture address many environmental and social concerns, but it offers innovative and economically viable opportunities for growers, laborers, consumers, policymakers and many others in the entire food system.

This paper is an effort to identify the ideas, practices and policies that constitute our concept of sustainable agriculture. We do so for two reasons: 1) to clarify the research agenda and priorities of our program, and 2) to suggest to others practical steps that may be appropriate for them in moving toward sustainable agriculture.Because the concept of sustainable agriculture is still evolving, we intend the paper not as a definitive or final statement, but as an invitation to continue the dialogue.

Concept Themes

Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. A variety of philosophies, policies and practices have contributed to these goals. People in many different capacities, from farmers to consumers, have shared this vision and contributed to it. Despite the diversity of people and perspectives, the following themes commonly weave through definitions of sustainable agriculture.

Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Stewardship of human resources includes consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of laborers, the needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the future. Stewardship of land and natural resources involves maintaining or enhancing this vital resource base for the long term.

A systems perspective is essential to understanding sustainability. The system is envisioned in its broadest sense, from the individual farm, to the local ecosystem, and to communities affected by this farming system both locally and globally. An emphasis on the system allows a larger and more thorough view of the consequences of farming practices on both human communities and the environment. A systems approach gives us the tools to explore the interconnections between farming and other aspects of our environment.

A systems approach also implies interdisciplinary efforts in research and education. This requires not only the input of researchers from various disciplines, but also farmers, farmworkers, consumers, policymakers and others.

Making the transition to sustainable agriculture is a process. For farmers, the transition to sustainable agriculture normally requires a series of small, realistic steps. Family economics and personal goals influence how fast or how far participants can go in the transition. It is important to realize that each small decision can make a difference and contribute to advancing the entire system further on the "sustainable agriculture continuum." The key to moving forward is the will to take the next step.

Finally, it is important to point out that reaching toward the goal of sustainable agriculture is the responsibility of all participants in the system, including farmers, laborers, policymakers, researchers, retailers, and consumers. Each group has its own part to play, its own unique contribution to make to strengthen the sustainable agriculture community.

The remainder of this document considers specific strategies for realizing these broad themes or goals. The strategies are grouped according to three separate though related areas of concern: Farming and Natural Resources, Plant and Animal Production Practices, and the Economic, Social and Political Context. They represent a range of potential ideas for individuals committed to interpreting the vision of sustainable agriculture within their own circumstances.

Plant Production Practices

Sustainable production practices involve a variety of approaches. Specific strategies must take into account topography, soil characteristics, climate, pests, local availability of inputs and the individual grower's goals. Despite the site-specific and individual nature of sustainable agriculture, several general principles can be applied to help growers select appropriate management practices:

    * Selection of species and varieties that are well suited to the site and to conditions on the farm;

    * Diversification of crops (including livestock) and cultural practices to enhance the biological and economic stability of the farm;

    * Management of the soil to enhance and protect soil quality;

    * Efficient and humane use of inputs; and

    * Consideration of farmers' goals and lifestyle choices.

Selection of site, species and variety. Preventive strategies, adopted early, can reduce inputs and help establish a sustainable production system. When possible, pest-resistant crops should be selected which are tolerant of existing soil or site conditions. When site selection is an option, factors such as soil type and depth, previous crop history, and location (e.g. climate, topography) should be taken into account before planting.

Diversity. Diversified farms are usually more economically and ecologically resilient. While monoculture farming has advantages in terms of efficiency and ease of management, the loss of the crop in any one year could put a farm out of business and/or seriously disrupt the stability of a community dependent on that crop. By growing a variety of crops, farmers spread economic risk and are less susceptible to the radical price fluctuations associated with changes in supply and demand.

Properly managed, diversity can also buffer a farm in a biological sense. For example, in annual cropping systems, crop rotation can be used to suppress weeds, pathogens and insect pests. Also, cover crops can have stabilizing effects on the agroecosystem by holding soil and nutrients in place, conserving soil moisture with mowed or standing dead mulches, and by increasing the water infiltration rate and soil water holding capacity. Cover crops in orchards and vineyards can buffer the system against pest infestations by increasing beneficial arthropod populations and can therefore reduce the need for chemical inputs. Using a variety of cover crops is also important in order to protect against the failure of a particular species to grow and to attract and sustain a wide range of beneficial arthropods.

Optimum diversity may be obtained by integrating both crops and livestock in the same farming operation. This was the common practice for centuries until the mid-1900s when technology, government policy and economics compelled farms to become more specialized. Mixed crop and livestock operations have several advantages. First, growing row crops only on more level land and pasture or forages on steeper slopes will reduce soil erosion. Second, pasture and forage crops in rotation enhance soil quality and reduce erosion; livestock manure, in turn, contributes to soil fertility. Third, livestock can buffer the negative impacts of low rainfall periods by consuming crop residue that in "plant only" systems would have been considered crop failures. Finally, feeding and marketing are flexible in animal production systems. This can help cushion farmers against trade and price fluctuations and, in conjunction with cropping operations, make more efficient use of farm labor.

Animal Production Practices

In the early part of this century, most farms integrated both crop and livestock operations. Indeed, the two were highly complementary both biologically and economically. The current picture has changed quite drastically since then. Crop and animal producers now are still dependent on one another to some degree, but the integration now most commonly takes place at a higher level--between farmers, through intermediaries, rather than within the farm itself. This is the result of a trend toward separation and specialization of crop and animal production systems. Despite this trend, there are still many farmers, particularly in the Midwest and Northeastern U.S. that integrate crop and animal systems--either on dairy farms, or with range cattle, sheep or hog operations.

Even with the growing

Answer 3

Mixing crops helps with the nutrients, different crops need different things.  By alternating or growing together and then tilling in the refuse of the crop soil is replenished.  By using different types of livestock you can also help the soil and decrease the feed you have to supply from outside, making the farm more sustainable.   If you have enough land to rotate animals through different pastures, leaving at least one of your pasture with no animals on it to grow back.  Animals can also be used to help clean up small fields, or help prepare them, for planting.   Pigs are especially good for this.  They eat everything and bring up rocks that can then be easily removed while fertilizing!   Chickens eat bugs, scratch up other manure to help in its break down, mix compost.  Of course all of these animals are also supplying food for the table.  

I believe that while sustainable farming may not provide as much product but, if done right, it can supply a tastier and more nutritious product which a lot of people are looking for now.

Answer 4

Having livestock on a farm would certainly allow for the use of manure as a fertilizer source. Having a mix of several different crops would allow for more crop rotation, thus breaking disease and insect cycles specific to certain crops.

Answer 5

By producing a different crops on a section of land every year you allow for nutrients to be replenished such as planting soybeans a year after corn to replenish nitrogen in the soil. Also by having livestock of different kinds a farmer is better able to play the markets and sell during high price times with on species and hold off during low times of another.

Answer 6

Farm diversity is the key to sustainable agriculture. A diverse group of animals, with each supplying you with a product as well as manure for your crops. Rabbits can supply you with meat for the table as well as to sell and excellent manure for crops. Chickens for eggs and meat and manure, also can forage in your fields for insects. Goats are excellent animals for a sustainable farm. They can utilize areas of your land that might not be suitable for other uses. They give bush and weed control as well as meat and milk.  Milk gives you a product that you can easily add value by making cheese and butter. Diversity of crops lending itself to crop rotation as well as supplying different products you will need such as wheat for bread, and straw for bedding or even bailed straw for building. Soybeans and/or Canola can be processed for oil to heat your house and farm buildings. It is also a legume crop that fits well into your crop rotation system. The byproduct makes a good protein sources for your animals. I could go on and on here, but you can see hoe you could become completely self sufficient while all the while not only be sustainable but building up your land.