Sustainable farming Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the definition of sustainable 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, protect biodiversity.
Farming aims to balance economic viability with environmental stewardship and social equity.
List the 5 components of sustainable agriculture.
- Soil management
- Crop management
- Water management
- Disease/pest management
- Waste management
Each component is essential for achieving sustainability in agricultural practices.
How does sustainable agriculture preserve natural resources?
- Maintain soil quality
- Preserve water
- Educate farmers on climate change
- Assess threats from pests/disease
These actions contribute to long-term agricultural viability.
What are the environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture?
- Ensures health of land
- Practices wise use of resources
- Preserve biodiversity
- Optimize use of natural resources
- Manage air, oil, water quality
Environmental benefits focus on maintaining ecosystem integrity.
What economic benefits does sustainable agriculture provide?
Improves production efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Economic sustainability is crucial for long-term investment in agricultural practices.
What does social and economic equity in sustainable agriculture entail?
Provides abundant, accessible, wholesome foods.
Equity ensures that all communities have access to nutritious food.
What are the 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
These benefits contribute to a healthier planet and ecosystem.
What are the benefits of sustainable agriculture for our well-being?
- Healthier environment = healthier well-being
- Safe foods with 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
Well-being is directly linked to the quality of food and environment.
What are the types of sustainable farming?
- Permaculture
- Biodynamic farming
- Crop rotation
- Natural pest management
- Urban agriculture
Each type employs different techniques to achieve sustainability.
Define permaculture.
Development of agricultural ecosystems that are sustainable and self-sufficient.
Permaculture focuses on designing agricultural landscapes that work in harmony with nature.
What characterizes biodynamic farming?
- Soil enrichment
- Use of cover crops
- Grown in living soil
- Generates own fertility through soil enrichment, crop covering, crop rotation
Biodynamic practices emphasize holistic and ecological approaches.
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.
Crop rotation is a key practice for maintaining soil health.
What are cover crops?
Plants planted to cover soil rather than to be harvested, managing soil erosion, soil quality, water quality, weeds, diseases, etc.
Examples include rye, wheat, barley, oats, and legumes.
What practices are involved in soil enrichment?
- Mulching
- Composting
- Manure
- Ashes
- Fertilizers
Healthy soil increases yield and quality of crops.
What is natural pest management?
Reduces the need for harmful pesticides by strengthening the natural resilience of crops.
This approach promotes ecological balance.
Define hydroponics and aquaponics.
Farming techniques that involve growing plants without soil and nourishing through specialized nutrients added to water.
Hydroponics uses mineral solutions or inert mediums; aquaponics integrates fish farming.
What does urban agriculture include?
- Backyard farms
- Community gardens
- Rooftop farms
- Greenhouses
Urban agriculture reduces transport needs and utilizes limited space effectively.
What is agroforestry?
Growth of trees and shrubs among crops and grazing land, combining agriculture and forestry for long-lasting and diverse land use.
Agroforestry enhances biodiversity and land productivity.
What are food forest systems?
Diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic ecosystems and patterns in nature.
Food forests aim to create sustainable and self-sufficient food systems.
What are some challenges of sustainable farming?
- Growing enough food
- Water security
- Loss of usable land
- High energy use
- Climate change
- Cost efficiency
Addressing these challenges is essential for the future of sustainable agriculture.
What are the pros of sustainable farming?
- Promotes biodiversity
- Minimizes air and water pollution
- Healthier crops
- Better production
- Reduced production cost
These advantages contribute to a more sustainable agricultural system.
What are the cons of sustainable farming?
- Labor intensive
- Shorter shelf life
- Soil fertility takes long to recover
These challenges can impact the feasibility of sustainable practices.
