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| I think the basic premise in sustainable agriculture is that no foreign (to the farm) inputs are used. That the crop rotations with animal manure supplies all the nutrients, that no animal feed is bought, and all that leaves the farm is excess to the sustenance needs. And probably is primarily in feather or on the hoof, not a grain or hay cash crop. In the extreme that would bar purchase of tractor or tractor fuel. That all the motive power has to be fueled by the crops. That might allow 100% biodiesel or ethanol fuels or in the classic times, mule, ox, and horse power on the hoof. That all the building needs would be from the farm's woodlot. And in that ideal world, they wouldn't need preservation by painting. We know the economics of such sustainability were bad, that a large chunk of the farm went to producing feed that the work critters needed every day even though they didn't work every day, sometimes for months at a time. And depending on assorted manures for crop nutrition works fairly good, on some soils, and some years, but can neglect micronutrients or over supply some of the more common micro (or macro) nutrients trying to get all the micros needed. Its not impossible to farm that way, it may not be most profitable, but if it supports the farm families without big bank loans it might be working. Might be they have no electronics, and only homespun fabrics for clothing. And someone in the families or neighborhood is a shoe cobbler, someone else tans hides using tree bark from the communal forest. Amana gave that up 76 years or so ago. Other communities haven't yet.
Gerald J. | |
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Sustainable Agriculture definition please...
