The Conservation Of Sustainable Agriculture - 3041 Words

Webster s dictionary defines stewardship as the careful and responsible management of something entrusted in one s care (Webster, 1993). Sustainable agriculture is a method that does not deplete soil, water, air, wildlife or human community resources (Community Alliance with, 1997). These two principles describe a type of farming that practices responsible management of the land in a way that does not deplete natural resources or the human community. We are living in a time when many environmental issues have come up due to such things as overpopulation, increased waste production, over consumption, depletion of natural resources and other activities that do not replenish the land. We must show great concern in dealing with these†¦show more content†¦Alternatives to conventional farming methods are present and do have the ability to serve sustainably and with stewardship. Sustainable farming strives to avoid the depletion of natural resources by opposing methods that rely heavily on petroleum products (gasoline, chemical fertilizers and pesticides) and/or exploited labor. Organic farming involves the strict adherence to three standards defined by the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The act includes the stipulation that farmers must be certified, continually increasing soil fertility and are prohibited from using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers (Community Alliance with, 1997). Thus, sustainable agriculture involves a continuum, containing points where limited use of synthetic products may be acceptable to organic farming where none are used. It can be argued that sustainable methods are very practical today, and are important in retaining healthy land that will be productive in the future. The history of agriculture shows how agriculture has developed to where we are today with traditional methods. By looking at obstacles to organic farming and the problems and solutions to traditional methods, we can see the importance of increasing sustainable efforts. Furthermore, it is important to look at the link between faith and farming and how people can apply biblical principles to farming the land