sustainable agriculture: environmental dimensions in a global context a module of the globalizing...
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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