Sustainable Farming Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the definition of farming?
Meets needs of existing future generations, ensures profitability, environmental health, and social and economic equality
Favors techniques that preserve soil fertility, prevent water pollution, and protect biodiversity.
List the 5 components of sustainable agriculture.
- Soil management
- Crop management
- Water management
- Disease/pest management
- Waste management
How does sustainable agriculture benefit the environment?
Ensures health of land and practices wise use of resources, preserves biodiversity, optimizes use of natural resources, manages air, oil, and water quality
These practices help in maintaining ecological balance.
What are the economic benefits of sustainable agriculture?
Improves production efficiency, productivity, and profitability
What does social and economic equity in sustainable agriculture provide?
Abundant, accessible, wholesome foods
Name some benefits of sustainable agriculture for our planet.
- Reduces agricultural run-off
- Prevents pollution
- Saves water
- Maintains soil
- Promotes energy efficiency of farming operations
- Decreases air pollution and greenhouse gases
- Preserves biodiversity
How does sustainable agriculture contribute to our well-being?
- Healthier environment = healthier well-being
- Safe foods = high nutritional value
- Less pesticides and chemicals used
- Increased biodiversity and variety
- Economic opportunities = jobs
- Supports food security as sustainable food production is better adapted to climate change
What are the types of sustainable farming?
- Permaculture
- Biodynamic farming
- Crop rotation
- Natural pest management
- Urban agriculture
What is permaculture?
Development of agricultural ecosystems that are sustainable and self-sufficient
Define biodynamic farming.
Soil enrichment and cover crops
What is crop rotation?
Planting different crops on the same land to improve soil health, reduce pests, minimize use of fertilizers, and reduce weed growth
Fill in the blank: Cover crops are plants planted to cover soil rather than to be _______.
harvested
What are some examples of cover crops?
- Rye
- Wheat
- Barley
- Oats
- Legumes
What methods are included in soil enrichment?
- Mulching
- Composting
- Manure
- Ashes
- Fertilizers
What is natural pest management?
Reduces the need for harmful pesticides by practices that strengthen the natural resilience of crops
Define hydroponics/aquaponics.
Farming techniques that involve growing plants without soil and nourishing through specialized nutrients added to water
What is urban agriculture?
Backyard farms, community gardens, rooftop farms, greenhouses
What is agroforestry?
Growth of trees and shrubs amongst crops and grazing land, combining agriculture and forestry for long-lasting and diverse land use
What are food forest systems?
Diverse planting of edible plants that mimic ecosystems and patterns in nature
What challenges does sustainable farming face?
- Growing enough food
- Water security
- Loss of usable land
- High energy use
- Climate change
- Cost efficiency
What are the pros of sustainable agriculture?
- Promotes biodiversity
- Minimizes air and water pollution
- Healthier crops
- Better production
- Reduced production cost
What are the cons of sustainable agriculture?
- Labor intensive
- Shorter shelf life
- Soil fertility takes long to recover
