SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE:

ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS IN A GLOBAL

CONTEXTA module of the Globalizing Agriculture

Education Project

Module Learning Outcomes

To be able to describe several critical environmental issues related to global agricultural sustainability

To be able to explain and apply these issues in a site-specific context using international examples and their relationship to the US. International Case Study: Basque Farmers

in the French Pyrenees

The USDA definition of ''sustainable agriculture‘’, as defined in the 1990 Farm Bill

“An integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term: * Satisfy human food and fiber needs. * Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base

upon which the agriculture economy depends. * Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-

farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls.

* Sustain the economic viability of farm operations. * Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”

(U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103)

What is “sustainable agriculture?”

Etc…Can you think of more?

Why ‘environmental stewardship’?

Land conversion to agriculture can

lead to deforestation,

habitat destruction and

reduced biodiversity.

Chemicals used in agriculture can pollute surface and

ground waters, reducing water

quality.

Water withdrawals for irrigation can lead to water scarcity and subsequent conflict over water use.

Intensive cultivation and

grazing can lead to

declining soil fertility and

plant productivity.

Agriculture is the primary human

activity responsible for methane and nitrous oxide

emissions, which are potent

greenhouse gases.

What are some of the

environmental issues in our food and agriculture

system?

Exploring environmental issues in US Agriculture Intensive cultivation

can lead to declining productivity. Tillage exposes soils to

wind and water erosion. Erosion leads to topsoil

loss and sedimentation in waterways.

Extensive tillage destroys soil structure, exposing soil carbon to oxidation and leading to long-term soil fertility loss and CO2 releases to the atmosphere.

Lack of productivity increases needs for imports.

Picture of degraded pasture, overgrazing.

Exploring environmental issues in US Agriculture Intensive grazing

can lead to declining productivity. Overgrazing leads to

soil compaction, which limits oxygen and plant root growth.

Not allowing pastures sufficient time for recovery after grazing decreases their productivity, leading to overall loss in forage quality.

Picture of degraded pasture, overgrazing.

Stats on overgrazed lands? Maybe a caption on ideal forage height?

Exploring environmental issues in US Agriculture Water quantity and

quality In the eastern US,

abundant rainfall leads to agrichemical runoff from farm fields and subsequent water quality issues.

In the western US, large water withdrawals for irrigation leads to insufficient water quantity for humans and agriculture downstream.

Picture of Mississipi River Dead Zone and Rio Grande.

Exploring environmental issues in US Agriculture Land conversion to

agriculture Historically, conversions

of forests and prairies to agriculture has led to high biodiversity losses and loss of the ecosystem services these native habitats provided, such as water regulation and carbon sequestration.

This is a current issue in many areas of the world – can we name a few?

Map of US Agricultural lands and % of US land in ag.

Environmental stewardship: a global issue

These issues are not unique to US agriculture. The salience of each of these issues may vary by region of the world, but agricultural communities everywhere are facing these same issues.

By comparing and contrasting the ways communities deal with environmental issues, we learn about these general concepts, and the ways communities share or diverge in their approaches to dealing with them.

Example: Basque Farmers in Soule, France.

Maybe pics from all the case studies?

Case Study: Farmers in the Basque province of Soule,

France

Where/what is the European Union?

An affiliation of 27 countries united in a common currency and with the goals of:

27 countries in 2005 (including Bulgaria &

Romania

*For backgroun

d on the history of

the EU and it’s

member states,

see the Economics module of

this section.

EU Agriculture: Overview

(USDA ERS data).

Major agricultural products Livestock products (including

dairy), grains, vegetables, wine, fruits, and sugar

Major exports Grains (wheat and barley), dairy

products, poultry, pork, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and wine

Major imports Soybeans and soybean products,

cotton, tobacco, tropical products, off-season fruits and vegetables, coffee, cocoa, tea, and spices.

Average Farm Size (acres)

US (2007

)

EU -15

(2007)

EU – 27

(2008)

418 46.2 34.1

EU Agriculture: Farm size

Farms in the EU are often a patchwork of smaller parcels

Region Average Farm Size

(acres)European

Union84

France, Nation-wide

113

Soule (French

Province)

61

US, Nation-wide

418

Kentucky 160

Case Study: Farmers in the Basque province of Soule,

France

Transhumance: A Pastoral Tradition

A traditional grazing system of moving animals to high mountain pastures in the summer months In Soule, animals move up in May,

down in September Traditionally animals led up on foot,

often a 10-12 mile walk. Now mostly transported in trucks, except in remote pasturage

System developed in the middle ages, and continues today, but area has shrunk dramatically

Mostly sheep, but increasingly more cows and horses

Transhumance: A Pastoral Tradition

Historic land use change in Basque Country The first shepherds arrived in the region of Soule

7200 years ago. The landscape was forested, but increased grazing

pressure between 2000 years and 700 years ago led to clearing of forest lands to lands used for grazing and hay making.

What effects might deforestation had on the environment?

Can we draw any parallels to Kentucky or US agriculture?

For the past 700 years, traditional grazing practices have maintained grazing lands like those at the right.

Farm size has remained relatively small, due to social traditions and mountainous terrain.

Transhumance: A Pastoral Tradition

Transhumance: A Pastoral Tradition

Traditional grazing patterns in Soule Winter – in town on family farm lands Spring and fall – move to lands owned by

villages (the coteaux, or hills). Summer – move to regionally-managed

high pastures (estives), first to lower areas and then to high mountain areas; shepards stay in permanent cabins.

Why transhumance?- Farm sizes too

small to support grazing year round in lower valleys.

- Resource use changes based on land ownership and time of year.

Tragedy of the commons.

Farmers are relying less on the commons

Herd size is getting larger, and farmers having to buy more feed, quality of the commons not reliable. Buying more hay

and imports to support larger herds/flocks.

Transhumance: Changing Traditions

Increasing farm size

Average farm size in Soule is less than 20 ha, and so farmers rely on use of the commons.

Having to bring in

Soule

Change in farm size in KY.

Increasing farm size

The role of policy and economics in increasing farm size… Stocking density,

etc. in the EU and subsidies.

Subsidies in the US and economic forces.

But policy can also be used to meet conservation goals in both the US and EU.

Conserving Biodiversity on Ag Lands

Habitats directive Voluntary

NRCS – CRP and other programs.

Conserving Resources on Ag Lands

Water tanks in the high mountains.

EQIP programs.

Decreasing agrichemical usage

Water tanks in the high mountains.

Summary slide

Summary questions that tie to learning

outcomes/overall project goals.

Supplemental Readings & Resources Cornell Primer on Sustainable Agriculture

An introduction to sustainable agriculture and community food systems

Welch-Devine and Murray, 2010. Reading on community based food

systems