Food Sustainability: Food Sustainability 101

The 1990 US Farm Bill defines sustainable agriculture as " 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 agricultural 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; and
• enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole."

Learn the basics of agriculture and sustainability at these sites:

   

Learn about the food environment of different areas of the country. This USDA data details a community's "access to and acquisition of healthy, affordable food"and "success in maintaining healthy diets" and other indicators that influence a community's food environment.

Check out the topics in the "Society & Culture" section. Topics of interest include "Agriculture Industry", "Globalization", "The Local Food Movement", and "Recycling".