Sustainable agriculture - a definition and basic principles of which

It is often asked the question, What is sustainable agriculture and how it differs from commercial agriculture? Sustainable agriculture means that everything that has been grown, reared and raised on the farm is consumed by the inhabitants of the farm. They live off the land and providing all the food they need for their own consumption. In other words, they are virtually self-sufficient when it comes to what they eat. Consequently, we often hear of sustainable agriculture and agricultural self-sufficiency as they are used inter-changeably the same thing. The land owned by them, is usually but not always quite small compared to the commercially oriented peasants. So it is often these small companies whose mini farms.

Commercial agriculture, on the other hand, is where crops are grown and livestock is raised on the other, in order to make some money. Not that agriculture is a profitable, get-rich business, it is not, but being a farmer in a commercial farm with the intention of having a ready market note, the knowledge of what are the current prices for their crops and animals and what niche market will bring a profit, now and in the future.

The principle of sustainable agriculture: Land Management

In the first place, as already stated there is no need for a huge piece of earth to become self-sustaining. So how small is small? Well, you can actually become self-sufficient quietly on an acre of land. An acre of land can be used to create a mini farm that easily leads to self-sufficiency. However, it is possible to practice self-sufficiency in small farms, land management becomes crucial. This then becomes the most important principle for sustainable agriculture and the creation of mini farm. The clue, of course, is in the word itself sustainablemeaning keep something to do. If the land is used for business is poorly run, you'll never be able to support crops or animals to an acceptable level of productivity. What you can finish with both plants are diseased and sick animals and your hopes of self-sufficiency will be dissatisfied.

In possession of a mini farm, there must be a balance between animals and plants, because ideally you want to create a food chain in which each feed off each other. You need the manure from the animals to enrich the soil so the soil can produce good crops, and that in turn will feed the animals.

There must also be the rotation of crops. There can be grown on the same piece of land year after year. Crops like this dress soon weaken the disease. However, the problem does not stay here, what happens is that the disease organisms that attack the plant are increased to such an extent that eventually the disease becomes uncontrollable. So, design your small farm with care, and make sure that part of the land has always rested so that you can implement the plan of crop rotation.

If you have animals on your mini farm you can put to good use, allowing them to manure crops in a controlled manner. The animals need food, so why not allow them in your crops, but to have them within a closed space? In this way they are fed, and at the same time the fertilization of the ground at the same time. Having chickens works very well. Not only fertilize the soil, but they also eat insects that can destroy crops.

Find local resources that you have on your small farm and see how you can improve or use. Do you have enough water on the property? Otherwise, you should build a dam and, if so, where would the best place to put it? Irrigation is important and you can not rely on the weather these days. See also where the prevailing winds are from plants and trees to create a protective barrier for your crops. Replanting hedges is a must for those of you who are interested in organic farming and nature conservation.

Many farmers zealots tore miles of hedges in the 80s and 90s in England. After that decision reckless of consequences, who also discovered that they had had many benefits. Not only had they helped to stabilize the soil and prevent soil erosion, were also a benefit to control insects and parasites. These covers are a natural habitat for many British birds, insects and mammals and that he had created from eco-system which had quietly been of great benefit to farmers who had had. Many of the birds, for example, had fed on the insects themselves that, after the destruction of the hedge, spread in large numbers, as the birds were no longer there to keep them under control. As a result, many farmers are now back to the replanting of hedgerows. The inclusion of this example shows that as custodians of our planet, such as farmers, we should take the grave decision of any changes to the land and ask ourselves if what we plan to do will be harmful in any way.

Finally, there's the old adage, waste not, want not. In sustainable agriculture and farm owners like mini key is not to waste. Do not waste the natural resources that we have. Do not miss the opportunity to re-cycle everything. Take your garden waste and either start a compost bin with worms for vermicompost or start a compost pile is open. After you have pruned your trees and grass clippings after mowing the lawn, add them to your compost. When you have animal manure, adding that, along with any remaining animal after slaughter or crop residues after harvest. Waste anything! The land can support, even if you own a small farm, the time that if you treat him well .......