Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to ecosystem health. Two more... key issues are biophysical (the long-term effects   more...of various practices on soil properties and processes essential for crop productivity) and socio-economic (the long-term ability of farmers to obtain inputs and manage resources such as labor).

The physical aspects of sustainability are partly understood (Altieri 1995). Practices that can cause long-term damage to soil include excessive tillage (leading to erosion) and irrigation without adequate drainage (leading to accumulation of salt in the soil). Long-term experiments provide some of the best data on how various practices affect soil properties essential to sustainability.

While air and sunlight are generally available in most geographic locations, crops also depend on soil nutrients and the availability of water. When farmers grow and harvest crops, they remove some of these nutrients from the soil. Without replenishment, the land would suffer from nutrient depletion and be unusable for further farming. Sustainable agriculture depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, such as natural gas (used in converting atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic fertilizer), or mineral ores (e.g., phosphate). Possible sources of nitrogen that would, in principle, be available indefinitely, include:

1. recycling crop waste and livestock or human manure
2. growing legume crops and forages such as, peanuts, or alfalfa that form symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia
3. industrial production of nitrogen by the Haber Process uses hydrogen, which is currently derived from natural gas, but could instead be made by electrolysis of water using electricity (perhaps from solar cells or windmills) or
4. genetically engineering (non-legume) crops to form nitrogen-fixing symbioses or fix nitrogen without microbial symbionts.

The last option was proposed in the 1970s, but would be well beyond the capability of current (2007) technology, even if various concerns about biotechnology were addressed. Sustainable options for replacing other nutrient inputs (phosphorus, potassium, etc.) are more limited.

In some areas, sufficient rainfall is available for crop growth, but many other areas require irrigation. For irrigation systems to be sustainable they must be managed properly (to avoid salt accumulation) and not use more water from their source than is naturally replenished, otherwise the water source becomes, in effect, a non-renewable resource. Improvements in water well drilling technology and the development of submersible pumps have made it possible for large crops to be regularly grown where reliance on rainfall alone previously made this level of success unpredictable. However, this progress has come at a price, in that in many areas where this has occurred, such as the Ogallala Aquifer, the water is being used at a greater rate than its rate of recharge.

Socioeconomic aspects of sustainability are also partly understood. Regarding nonindustrialized farming, the best known analysis is Netting's (1993) study on smallholder systems through history.  less

Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to ecosystem health. Two key issues are biophysical (the long-term effects of   more...various practices on soil properties and processes essential for crop productivity) and socio-economic (the long-term ability of farmers to obtain inputs and manage resources such as labor).

The physical aspects of sustainability are partly understood (Altieri 1995). Practices that can cause long-term damage to soil include excessive tillage (leading to erosion) and irrigation without adequate drainage (leading to accumulation of salt in the soil). Long-term experiments provide some of the best data on how various practices affect soil properties essential to sustainability.

While air and sunlight are generally available in most geographic locations, crops also depend on soil nutrients and the availability of water. When farmers grow and harvest crops, they remove some of these nutrients from the soil. Without replenishment, the land would suffer from nutrient depletion and be unusable for further farming. Sustainable agriculture depends on replenishing the soil while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, such as natural gas (used in converting atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic fertilizer), or mineral ores (e.g., phosphate). Possible sources of nitrogen that would, in principle, be available indefinitely, include:

1. recycling crop waste and livestock or human manure
2. growing legume crops and forages such as, peanuts, or alfalfa that form symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia
3. industrial production of nitrogen by the Haber Process uses hydrogen, which is currently derived from natural gas, but could instead be made by electrolysis of water using electricity (perhaps from solar cells or windmills) or
4. genetically engineering (non-legume) crops to form nitrogen-fixing symbioses or fix nitrogen without microbial symbionts.

The last option was proposed in the 1970s, but would be well beyond the capability of current (2007) technology, even if various concerns about biotechnology were addressed. Sustainable options for replacing other nutrient inputs (phosphorus, potassium, etc.) are more limited.

In some areas, sufficient rainfall is available for crop growth, but many other areas require irrigation. For irrigation systems to be sustainable they must be managed properly (to avoid salt accumulation) and not use more water from their source than is naturally replenished, otherwise the water source becomes, in effect, a non-renewable resource. Improvements in water well drilling technology and the development of submersible pumps have made it possible for large crops to be regularly grown where reliance on rainfall alone previously made this level of success unpredictable. However, this progress has come at a price, in that in many areas where this has occurred, such as the Ogallala Aquifer, the water is being used at a greater rate than its rate of recharge.

Socioeconomic aspects of sustainability are also partly understood. Regarding nonindustrialized farming, the best known analysis is Netting's (1993) study on smallholder systems through history.  less

Urban farmer Will Allen was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2008. The Fellowship is a $500,000, no-strings-attached grant for individuals who have shown exceptional creativity in their work and the promise   more...to do more.  less

Watch biotech farmer Andres Fernandez Madero discuss the benefits of biotechnology in Argentina — such as the adoption of sustainable agriculture methods in his soybean and corn crops. The Conversations   more...about Plant Biotechnology Web site offers video discussions with farmers and experts from around the world.  less

For more health and wellness videos visit www.Zegee.com

High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener and preservative used in many processed foods. It is made by changing the sugar in cornstarch to fructose   more...— another form of sugar.

High-fructose corn syrup extends the shelf life of foods and is sweeter and cheaper than sugar. For these reasons, it has become a popular ingredient in many sodas, fruit-flavored drinks and other processed foods. Check your food labels. You may be surprised by how many foods contain high-fructose corn syrup.

Some nutrition experts blame increased consumption of high-fructose corn syrup for the growing obesity problem. One theory is that fructose is more readily converted to fat by your liver than is sucrose, increasing the levels of fat in your bloodstream. But this hasn't been proved.

In addition, animal studies have shown a link between increased consumption of high-fructose corn syrup and adverse health effects, such as diabetes and high cholesterol. However, the evidence is not as clear in human studies.

Despite the lack of clarity in research, the fact remains that Americans consume large quantities of high-fructose corn syrup in the form of soft drinks, fruit-flavored beverages and other processed foods. These types of foods are often high in calories and low in nutritional value. This fact alone is reason to be cautious about foods containing high-fructose corn syrup.

To reduce high-fructose corn syrup in your diet, read food labels. Avoid or limit foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup. Some other easy tips for cutting back on high-fructose corn syrup include:

* Buy 100 percent fruit juice instead of fruit-flavored drinks.
* Choose fresh fruit instead of fruit juices. Even 100 percent fruit juice has a high concentration of sugar.
* Choose fruit canned in its own juices instead of heavy syrup.
* Cut back on soda.
  less

Please visit www.Zegee.com for more health and wellness videos.

This video will teach you a lot about current efforts to improve our agriculture. Farm bill discussion will show you that there is a lot   more...to be done to improve the quality of food all over the country.

In this series of conversations with Dan Imhoff, he explains how the farm bill has evolved, and what it has come to mean for farmers and the American public. If you think it's just politics as usual, you may be astonished at what you hear  less

Please visit www.Zegee.com for more health and wellness videos.

This video will teach you a lot about current efforts to improve our agriculture. Farm bill discussion will show you that there is a lot   more...to be done to improve the quality of food all over the country.

In this series of conversations with Dan Imhoff, he explains how the farm bill has evolved, and what it has come to mean for farmers and the American public. If you think it's just politics as usual, you may be astonished at what you hear  less

Please visit www.Zegee.com for more health and wellness videos.

This video will teach you a lot about current efforts to improve our agriculture. Farm bill discussion will show you that there is a lot   more...to be done to improve the quality of food all over the country.

In this series of conversations with Dan Imhoff, he explains how the farm bill has evolved, and what it has come to mean for farmers and the American public. If you think it's just politics as usual, you may be astonished at what you hear  less

Please visit www.Zegee.com for more health and wellness videos.

This video will teach you a lot about current efforts to improve our agriculture. Farm bill discussion will show you that there is a lot   more...to be done to improve the quality of food all over the country.

In this series of conversations with Dan Imhoff, he explains how the farm bill has evolved, and what it has come to mean for farmers and the American public. If you think it's just politics as usual, you may be astonished at what you hear  less

Please visit www.Zegee.com for more health and wellness videos.

This video will teach you a lot about current efforts to improve our agriculture. Farm bill discussion will show you that there is a lot   more...to be done to improve the quality of food all over the country.

In this series of conversations with Dan Imhoff, he explains how the farm bill has evolved, and what it has come to mean for farmers and the American public. If you think it's just politics as usual, you may be astonished at what you hear  less

A new technology for building homes that Heat and Cool without fuel or
electricity & recently selected as one of the top inventions of the year
by Modern Marvels. Enertia Homes use free energy from   more...a full Day
Cycle. All natural materials and natural energy. See more homes at their
website @ enertia.com  less

A new technology (enertia.com) for building homes that heat and cool
without fuel or electricity. Enertia Homes use free energy from a shift in
time. All natural materials and natural energy.
See more homes   more...at our website - enertia.com  less

Good Energy Efficent example..
The house looks great. Seems really comfortable as well!
Nice job. I can't wait to the 2007 design.

A short and fun film about the Technicians for Sustainability - A small
brigade of (guys on bikes) who installed a Solar System a house.
The panels are warrentied for 25 years.
Best Solar Install Video I've   more...see so far.
Not a "how to" video but can give you some ideas and will surely get
you jazzed about putting in some panels!
Nice going guys, thats the way to install and travel to work.
They are American made and more sustainable than some panels using
less energy to make them. In 2 months they made more than is used.
You don't have to use any gas or fireplace,
just clean Renewable Solar Power.
Awesome video. I think Technicians for Sustainability are helping out
with the solar panels that are going to go on The UA Visitor's Center
too. Yay for solar power in the southwest!  less

http://www.leafcertified.org Looking for lyocell and Tencel products? L.E.A.F. supports third-party certification to tell consumers about fabrics and clothes made with lyocell and Tencel.

http://LiViTY.org LiViTY Outernational is making sustainable clothing and fashion the new status-quo. LiViTY empowers local artisans around the world and is dedicated to sustainable fair trade practices.

http://suprememastertv.com/ - Organic Farming a sustainable solution

www.EmploymentCrossing.com


Agriculture futures were lower in midday trading Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade, according to the Associated Press.

Wheat for December delivery fell 12 cents to $5.26 a   more...bushel; December corn lost 9.5 cents to $4 a bushel; December oats dropped 7.25 cents to $2.3225 a bushel; and November soybeans fell 11.5 cents to $9.225 a bushel.

Beef and pork futures were higher on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

October live cattle gained 1.25 cents to 94.75 cents a pound; October feeder cattle rose 0.85 cent to 98.7 cents a pound; October lean hogs advanced 0.1 cent to 56.1 cents a pound; and February pork bellies rose 0.25 cent to 87 cents a pound.  less

Lenmore - ideal student for Zimbabwe Academy of Agriculture, Bankett

Segment #2 of a series of 12 from the "Sustainable Philadelphia programs airing on MiND TV in Philadelphia, PA

http://www.usajobsearch.net - Farming and agriculture jobs in the USA. A brief overview of farming jobs.

Is a sustainable suburb possible? And what would it take? Let me know your thoughts on how you see things changing, or how they might need to change.

TPA Members (In Order Of Appearance):
AzraelsJudgement:
http://www.youtube.com/AzraelsJudgement
ChangeDaChannel:
http://www.youtube.com/ChangeDaChannel
Fringe111:
http://www.youtube.com/Fringe111
Gemm73:
http://www.youtube.com/Gemm73
  more...NetzDriverZ:
http://www.youtube.com/NetzDriverZ
Stylidium:
http://www.youtube.com/Stylidium
LeafDude:
http://www.youtube.com/LeafDude
CoffeeDude65:
http://www.youtube.com/CoffeeDude65

THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!

TPA Online:
http://Beam.To/TPA4Life  less

Some video from the CSA we joined...