SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: DEFINITIONS AND TERMS Introduction In its Congressionally mandated annual reports, the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences has consistently listed "attain sustainable production systems and ensure their compatibility with environmental and social values" as first in a set of long term objectives for food and agricultural sciences in the 1990's (Fiscal Year 1995 Priorities for Research, Extension and Higher Education: A Report to the Secretary of Agriculture (Washington DC: USDA, Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences, 1991) p. 5, NAL aS21.D26J6). The goal of sustainability requires addressing philosophical, economic and sociological issues, as well as environmental and scientific questions. This publication strives to illustrate the commonality and some of the controversy that defining such a goal entails. Many of the authors cited are pioneers in the field of sustainable agriculture. Additional contributors to the publication include Jayne MacLean, former coordinator of the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, and Jane Potter Gates, its present coordinator. For additional reference sources on the many issues and techniques involved in sustainable agriculture, you may request AFSIC's "List of Information Products". For a copy of this list, or for answers to questions, please contact: Alternative Farming Systems Information Center National Agricultural Library, Room 304 10301 Baltimore Blvd. Beltsville, MD 20705-2351 Telephone: 301 504-6559 FAX: 301 504-6409 Internet: afsic@nalusda.gov SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: DEFINITIONS AND TERMS The word sustainable, from the Latin, sustinere, to keep in existence, implies permanence or long-term support. As it pertains to agriculture, sustainable describes farming systems that are "capable of maintaining their productivity and usefulness to society indefinitely. Such systems...must be resource-conserving, socially supportive, commercially competitive, and environmentally sound." (John Ikerd, "Sustainability's Promise," Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Jan.-Feb. 1990) 45(1) p. 4, NAL 56.8 J822) "Sustainable agriculture" was addressed by Congress in the 1990 "Farm Bill" (Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA), Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1603. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., NAL KF1692.A31 1990). Under that law, "the term sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term: A) satisfy human food and fiber needs; B) enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; C) make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; D) sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and E) enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole." "Sustainable agriculture is a philosophy based on human goals and on understanding the long-term impact of our activities on the environment and on other species. Use of this philosophy guides our application of prior experience and the latest scientific advances to create integrated, resource-conserving, equitable farming systems. These systems reduce environmental degradation, maintain agricultural productivity, promote economic viability in both the short and long term, and maintain stable rural communities and quality of life. (Francis and Youngberg) "This statement of philosophy represents a compilation to some degree of many definitions that have surfaced recently for the term, 'sustainable agriculture'. It's easy to understand why key individuals and organizations in agriculture have flocked to this term. After all, who would advocate a 'non-sustainable agriculture?'" (Charles A. Francis, "Sustainable Agriculture: Myths and Realities," Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (1990) 1(1) p. 97, NAL S494.5.S86S8) Despite the appeal of this philosophy, discussions about how best to achieve sustainablilty present some controversy. Supporters of sustainable agriculture come from diverse backgrounds and farming practices. Their convictions as to what elements are acceptable or not acceptable in a sustainable farming system sometimes conflict. The fact is, "we are yet a long way from knowing just what methods and systems in diverse locations will really lead to sustainability...In many regions of the country, however, and for many crops, the particular mix of methods that will allow curtailing use of harmful farm chemicals or building crop diversity, while also providing economic success, are not yet clear. The stage is set for challenging not only farm practitioners, but also researchers, educators, and farm industry." (Garth Youngberg and Richard Harwood, "Sustainable Farming Systems: Needs and Opportunities," American Journal of Alternative Agriculture (1989) 4(3 & 4) p. 100, NAL S605.5.A3) Today, sustainable farming practices commonly include: "1) Crop rotations that mitigate weeds, disease, insect and other pest problems; provide alternative sources of soil nitrogen; reduce soil erosion; and reduce risk of water contamination by agricultural chemicals. "2) Pest control strategies that are not harmful to natural systems, farmers, their neighbors, or consumers. This includes integrated pest management techniques that reduce the need for pesticides by practices such as scouting, use of resistant cultivars, timing of planting, and biological pest controls. "3) Increased mechanical/biological weed control; more soil and water conservation practices; and strategic use of animal and green manures. "4) Use of natural or synthetic inputs in a way that poses no significant hazard to man, animals, or the environment. "This approach encompasses the whole farm, relying on the expertise of farmers, interdisciplinary teams of scientists, and specialists from the public and private sectors." (Paul F. O'Connell, "Sustainable Agriculture, a Valid Alternative," Outlook on Agriculture (1992) 21(1) p. 6, NAL 10 Ou8) The following terms are commonly associated with sustainable agricultural systems: Agroecology: The term agroecology can be defined broadly or narrowly. "Loosely defined, agroecology often incorporates ideas about a more environmentally and socially sensitive approach to agriculture, one that focuses not only on production, but also on the ecological sustainability of the productive system." This definition "implies a number of features about society and production that go well beyond the limits of the agricultural field. At its most narrow, agroecology refers to the study of purely ecological phenomena within the crop field, such as predator/prey relations, or crop/weed competition." (Susanna B. Hecht, "The Evolution of Agroecological Thought," in Agroecology: the Scientific Basis of Alternative Agriculture, ed. Miguel A. Altieri (Boulder CO: Westview Press, 1987) p. 4, NAL S589.7.A4) Alternative farming/ Alternative agriculture: Basically synonymous terms encompassing a vast array of enterprises, all of which are considered non-traditional. They include: "1) Nontraditional crops, livestock, and other farm products; "2) Service, recreation, tourism, food processing, forest/woodlot, and other enterprises based on farm and natural resources; "3) Unconventional production systems such as organic farming or aquaculture; or "4) Direct marketing and other entrepreneurial marketing strategies." (Nancy Grudens Shuck, et al, Farming Alternatives; A Guide to Evaluating the Feasibility of New Farm-Based Enterprises (Ithaca NY: Cornell University, 1988) p. 1, NAL S675.N72 no.32) Employing agricultural products for industrial uses is another alternative activity. Biodynamic agriculture: Both a concept and a practice, biodynamics "owes its origin to the spiritual insights and perceptions of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and scientist who lived at the turn of the century." Dr. Steiner emphasized many of the forces within living nature, identifying many of these factors and describing specific practices and preparations that enable the farmer or gardener to work in concert with these parameters. "Central to the biodynamic method...are certain herbal preparations that guide the decomposition processes in manures and compost." (1985-1986 Year End Report (Kimberton PA: Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association, Inc., 1986) p. 3, AFSIC collection) Biological or ecological farming (terms commonly used in Europe and the Far East): Although sometimes strictly defined, e.g., "Biological farming is a system of crop production in which the producer tries to minimize the use of 'chemicals' for control of crop pests" (John Pesek, "Introduction," Proceedings of the Management Alternatives for Biological Farming Workshop, comp. Robert B. Dahlgren (Ames IA: Iowa State University, 1983) p. 1, NAL S494.5.P75M35 1983), both biological farming and ecological farming are terms used in the broader sense, encompassing various and more specific practices and techniques of farming sustainably, e.g., organic, biodynamic, holistic, natural. Biotechnology: Although farmers have been practicing biotechnology in the broadest sense for thousands of years, it is the recent breaking of the genetic code that has pushed this science into a new era altogether. The possible applications and impacts of genetic engineering, cloning, recombinant DNA and other biotechnological accomplishments on agriculture promise revolutionary changes. Whether or how these various technologies are used provokes much controversy in the sustainable agriculture movement. In addition, "The issue of who will be served by this technology and who will set the research agenda of the experts becomes intensely important when so few people control the tools and language of the trade. (Chuck Hassebrook and Gabriel Hegyes, Choices for the Heartland: Alternative Directions in Biotechnology and Implications for Family Farming, Rural Communities and the Environment (Ames IA: Iowa State University, 1989) p. 3, NAL S494.5.B563H37) Integrated Pest Management (IPM): An ecologically based approach to pest control that utilizes a multi-disciplinary knowledge or crop/pest relationships, establishment of acceptable economic thresholds for pest populations and constant field monitoring for potential problems. Management may include such practices as "the use of resistant varieties; crop rotation; cultural practices; optimal use of biological control organisms; certified seed; protective seed treatments; disease-free transplants or rootstock; timeliness of crop cultivation; improved timing of pesticide applications; and removal or 'plow down' of infested plant material." (J. Keith Waldron, "Integrated Pest Management," Long Island Horticulture News (July 1989) p. 1, NAL SB317.5 .L65) Kyusei nature farming: Developed by Teruo Higa in Japan during the last decade, this technology has recently gained international attention, especially in the Far East and South America. "The word Kyusei in Japanese means saving, and broadly interpreted, Kyusei Nature Farming means saving the world through natural or organic farming methods...An added dimension of Kyusei Nature Farming is that it often employs technology involving beneficial microorganisms as inoculants to increase the microbial diversity of agricultural soils, which, in turn, can enhance the growth, health, and yield of crops." (J.F.Parr et al, eds., First International Conference on Kyusei Nature Farming, (Khon Kaen, Thailand, Oct. 1989) (Washington DC: USDA/USAID, 1991) p. v, NAL aS605.5.I56 1989) Low input agriculture: Low input farming systems "seek to optimize the management and use of internal production inputs (i.e. on-farm resources)... and to minimize the use of external production inputs (i.e., off-farm resources), such as purchased fertilizers and pesticides, wherever and whenever feasible and practicable, to lower production costs, to avoid pollution of surface and groundwater, to reduce pesticide residues in food, to reduce a farmer's overall risk, and to increase both short- and long-term farm profitability." (J.F. Parr et al, "Sustainable Agriculture in the United States," in Sustainable Agricultural Systems, ed. Clive A. Edwards, R. Lal, P. Madden, R. Miller, G. House (Ankeny IA: Soil and Water Conservation Society, 1990) p. 52, NAL S494.5.S86S86) Low Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA): With initial appropriation in 1987, LISA was USDA's research and education grants program, organized and directed by the Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) and Extension Service (ES). The 1990 Farm Bill expanded the program and subsequently renamed it the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Organic farming: As defined by a USDA Study Team on Organic Farming, "Organic farming is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed additives. To the maximum extent feasible, organic farming systems rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, off-farm organic wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral-bearing rocks, and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply plant nutrients, and to control insects, weeds and other pests." (Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming (Washington DC: USDA, 1980) p. xii, NAL aS605.5.U52) Practices allowed under the term "organic farming" and "organic food" vary somewhat. Many states have mandated their own regulations. The 1990 Farm Bill created a National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) which is currently working to standardize the organic certification process. Permaculture: A contraction of "permanent agriculture", the word permaculture was coined by Australian Bill Mollison in the late seventies. One of the many alternative agriculture systems described as sustainable, permaculture is "unique in its emphasis on design; that is, the location of each element in a landscape, and the evolution of landscape over time. The goal of permaculture is to produce an efficient, low-maintenance integration of plants, animals, people and structure...applied at the scale of a home garden, all the way through to a large farm." (John Quinney, "Permaculture in the United States", The New Alchemy Quarterly (Spring 1986) 23 p. 3, NAL S589.7.N48) Regenerative agriculture: This term was originated by Robert Rodale, and subsequently expanded to "regenerative/sustainable agriculture" by the Rodale Institute and Rodale Research Center. Two reasons given for the emphasis on "regenerative" are (1) that "enhanced regeneration of renewable resources is essential to the achievement of a sustainable form of agriculture," and (2) that "the concept of regeneration would be relevant to many economic sectors and social concerns." (Robert Rodale, "Sustainability: An Opportunity for Leadership," in Sustainable Agricultural Systems, ed. Clive A. Edwards, R. Lal, P. Madden, R. Miller and G. House (Ankeny IA: Soil and Water Conservation Society, 1990) pp. 84-85, NAL S494.5.S86S86) For further reading: Allen, Patricia; Van Dusen, D.; Lundy, J.; and Gleissman, S. Sustainability in the Balance: Expanding the Definition of Sustainable Agriculture. Santa Cruz CA: UC Agroecology Program, 1992. (NAL IPM921229032) Allen, Patricia and Sachs, Carolyn. Sustainability in the Balance: What Do We Want to Sustain? Developing a Comprehensive Vision of Sustainable Agriculture. Santa Cruz CA: UC Agroecology Program, 1992. (NAL IPM921229031) Allen, Patricia; Van Dusen, D.; Lundy, J.; and Gliessman, S. "Integrating Social, Environmental, and Economic Issues in Sustainable Agriculture." American Journal of Alternative Agriculture (1991) 6(1) pp. 34-39. (NAL S605.5.A43) Allen, Patricia and Sachs, Carolyn E. "The Poverty of Sustainability: An Analysis of Current Positions." Agriculture and Human Values (Fall 1992) 9(4) pp. 29-35. (NAL HT401.A36) Altieri, Miguel A. Agroecology: The Scientific Basis of Alternative Agriculture. Boulder CO: Westview Press, 1987. (NAL S569.7.A47) Benbrook, Charles M. Sustainable Agriculture in the 21st Century: Will the Grass Be Greener? Baileys Crossroads VA: St. Anthony Press in collaboration with the Humane Society of the United States, 1991. (NAL S441.B45 1991) Bernhardt, Kevin; Helmers, Glenn; and Allen, John. "Defining Production Systems in Nebraska." Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems Newsletter (Jan.-Feb. 1994) pp. 3-4. Beus, Curtis E and Dunlap, Riley E. "Conventional versus Alternative Agriculture: The Paradigmatic Roots of the Debate." Rural Sociology (Winter 1990) 55(4) pp. 590-616. (NAL 281.28.R88) Beus, Curtis E. and Dunlap, Riley E. "Measuring Adherence to Alternative vs. Conventional Agricultural Paradigms: A Proposed Scale." Rural Sociology (Fall 1991) 56(3) pp. 432-460. (NAL 281.28 .R88) Blatz, Charles V. "The Very Idea of Sustainability." Agriculture and Human Values (Fall 1992) 9(4) pp. 12-28. (NAL HT401.A36) Brklacich, Michael; Bryant, Christopher R.; and Smit, Barry. "Review and Appraisal of Concept of Sustainable Food Production Systems." Environmental Management (Jan./Feb. 1991) 15(1) pp. 1- 14. (NAL HC79.E5E5) Brown, Lester R. Building a Sustainable Society. (A Worldwatch Institute Book) New York: Norton and Co., 1981. (NAL HD32.B733 1981) Buttel, Frederick H. "Ideology and Agricultural Technology in the Late Twentieth Century: Biotechnology as Symbol and Subsance." Agriculture and Human Values (Spring 1993) 10(2) pp. 5-15. (NAL HT101.A36) Castillo, Gelia T. Sustainable Agriculture: In Concept and in Deed. London, England: Agricultural Administation (Research and Extension) Network, 1992. (NAL S539.5.N47 no.36) Chiras, Daniel D. Lessons from Nature: Learning to Live Sustainably on the Earth. Washington: Island Press, 1992. (TD170.C55 1992) Daberkow, Stan G. and Reichelderfer, Katherine H. "Low-input Agriculture: Trends, Goals, and Prospects for Input Use." American Journal of Agricultural Economics (Dec.1988) 70(5) pp. 1159-1166. (NAL 280.8.J822) Douglass, Gordon K. "The Meanings of Agricultural Sustainability." In Agricultural Sustainability in a Changing World Order, pp. 3-30. Edited by Gordon K. Douglass. Boulder CO: Westview Press, 1984. (NAL S523.A35) Duesterhaus, Richard. "Sustainability's Promise." Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Jan.-Feb. 1990) 45(1) p. 4. (NAL 56.8.J822) Dunlap, Riley E.; Beus, C.; Howell, R.; and Waud, J. "What is Sustainable Agriculture? An Empirical Examination of Faculty and Farmer Definitions." Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (1992) 3(1) pp. 5-39. (S494.5.S86S8) Edwards, Clive; Lal, R.; Madden, P.; Miller, R.H.; and House, G. Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Ankeny IA: Soil and Water Conservation Society, 1990. (NAL S495.7.S86S86) Fisher, C. "Introduction to the Conference Theme 'Towards a Sustainable Agriculture.'" In Towards a Sustainable Agriculture: Papers, pp. 11-14. Papers Given at an International Conference held in Sissach, Switzerland, Internatl. Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, 1977. (NAL S605.5.T68) Food for the Future: Conditions and Contradictions of Sustainability, ed. by Patricia Allen. New York: Wiley, 1993. (NAL HD1415.F633 1993) Francis, Charles A. "Sustainable Agriculture: Myths and Realities." Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (1990) 1(1) pp. 97-99. (NAL S494.5 .S86S8) Francis, Charles and Youngberg, G. "What is Sustainable Agriculture?", "Common Misconceptions about Sustainable Agriculture.", and "Historical Developments Relevant to the Concept of Sustainable Agriculture." In Sustainable Agriculture in Temperate Zones, pp. 3-15. Edited by Charles A. Francis, Cornelia Butler Flora and Larry D. King. New York: Wiley, 1990. (NAL S494.5.S86S87) Fretz, Thomas A.; Keeney, Dennis R.; and Sterrett, Susan B. "Sustainability: Defining the New Paradigm." HortTechnology (Ap.- June 1993) 3(2) pp. 118-126. (NAL S317.5.H68) Gates, Jane Potter. Tracing the Evolution of Organic/Sustainable Agriculture: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography. Beltsville MD: USDA, National Agricultural Library, 1989. (NAL aZ5076.AlU54 no.72) Geisler, Charles C.; Cowan, J.; Hattery, M.; and Jacobs, H. "Sustained Land Productivity: Equity Consequences of Alternative Agricultural Technologies." In The Social Consequences of Challenges of New Agricultural Technologies. Edited by Gigi M. Berardi and Charles C. Geisler. Boulder CO: Westview Press, 1984. (NAL S441.68) Gever, John; Kaufmann, R.; Skole, D.; and Vorosmarty, C. Beyond Oil: The Threat to Food and Fuel in the Coming Decades. (A Project of Carrying Capacity, Inc.) Cambridge MA: Ballinger Pub., 1986. (NAL TJ163.25.U6B44) Gliessman, Stephen R. "Quantifying the Agroecological Component of Sustainable Agriculture: A Goal." In Agroecology: Researching the Ecological Basis for Sustainable Agriculture, pp. 367-370. Edited by Stephen R. Gliessman. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1990. (NAL QH540.E288 v. 78) Gips, Terry. "What is Sustainable Agriculture?" In Global Perspectives on Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Systems, pp. 63-74. Edited by Patricia Allen and Debra Van Dusen. (Proceeding of the Sixth International Scientific Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) Santa Cruz CA: UC Agroecology Program, 1988. (NAL S605.5.I45 1986) Gussow, Joan Dye and Clancy, Katherine L. "Dietary Guidelines for Sustainability," Appendix in Chicken Little, Tomato Sauce and Agriculture: Who Will Produce Tomorrow's Food?, pp. 133-143. By Joan Dye Gussow. New York: Bootstrap Press, 1991. (NAL S441.G87 1991) Hamilton, Neil D. "Exploring the Roots of Sustainable Agriculture." Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (1990) 1(1) p. 108. (NAL S494.5 .S86S8) Harris, Jonathan M. World Agriculture and the Environment. New York, Garland Pub., 1990. (NAL S439.H37) Herrick, John B. " Sustaining Sustainable Agriculture." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. (Ap. 15, 1993) 202(8) p. 1229. (NAL 41.8 Am3) Ikerd, John E. "Sustainability's Promise." Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Jan./Feb. 1990) 45(1) p. 4. (NAL 56.8.J822) Ikerd, John E. "Two Related but Distinctly Different Concepts: Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture." Small Farm Today (Feb. 1993) 10(1)pp. 30-31. (NAL S1.M57) Jackson, Wes; Berry, Wendell; and Colman, Bruce, eds. Meeting the Expectations of the Land: Essays in Sustainable Agriculture and Stewardship. San Francisco: North Point Press, 1984. (NAL S441.M4) Keeney, Dennis R. "Toward a Sustainable Agriculture: Need for Clarification of Concepts and Terminology." American Journal of Alternative Agriculture (1989) 4(3 & 4) pp. 101-105. (NAL S605.5.A43) Kelling, Keith A. and Klemme, Rick M. "Defining 'Sustainable'." Agrichemical Age (May 1989) p. 32. (NAL 381 AG85) Knorr, Dietrich, ed. Sustainable Food Systems. Westport CT: AVI Pub., 1983. (NAL TP370.5.S8 F&N B3414) Lehman, Hugh; Clark, E. Ann.; and Weise, Stephan F. "Clarifying the Definition of Sustainable Agriculture." Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics (1993) 6(2) pp. 127-143. (NAL BJ52.5.J68) Leopold, Aldo. "A Land Ethic." In The Green Reader: Essays Toward a Sustainable Society, pp. 238-241. Edited by Andrew Dobson. San Francisco: Mercury House, 1991. (NAL JA75.8.G74 1991) Lockeretz, William. "Open Questions in Sustainable Agriculture." American Journal of Alternative Agriculture (Fall 1988) 3(4) pp. 174-181. (NAL S605.5.A45) Mayer, Jean. "Food, Nutrition and Population." In Sustaining Tomorrow; A Strategy for World Conservation and Development, pp. 154-162. Edited by Francis R. Thibodeau and Hermann H. Field. Hanover NH: University Press of New England (for Tufts Univ. and Internatl. Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources/World Wildlife Fund), 1984. (NAL HC79.E5S8) Miller, Cheryl. "Which Row to Hoe? An Interim Report on Alternative Directions in Agriculture." Northwest Report; A Newsletter of the Northwest Foundation (Jan. 1993) 13 pp. 2-11. (NAL AS911.L6A3) O'Connell, Paul F. "Sustainable Agriculture, A Valid Alternative." Outlook on Agriculture (1992) 21(1) p. 6. (NAL 10 Ou8) Orr, David W. "The Challenge of Sustainability." Phytopathology; an International Journal (Jan. 1993) 83(1) pp. 38-40. (NAL 468.8.P56) Pimental, D.; Hunter, M.S.; LaGro, J.A.; Efroymson, R.A.; Landers, J.C.; Mervis, F.T.; McCarthy, C.A.; and Boyd, A.E. "Benefits and Risks of Genetic Engineering in Agriculture." BioScience (Oct. 1989) 39(9) pp. 606-614. (NAL 500 Am322A) Poincelot, Raymond P. "Agriculture in Transition." Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (1990) 1(1) pp. 9-40. (NAL S494.5.S86S58) Ruttan, Vernon W. "Sustainable Growth in Agricultural Production: Into the 21st Century." Outlook (Mar. 1993): 108-116. Paper presented at the conference "Agriculture's Changing Horizon," Dec. 1-3, 1992. (NAL 1.90.C20U8) Schneiderman, Howard A. and Carpenter, W. "Planetary Patriotism: Sustainable Agriculture for the Future." Environmental Science Technology (1990) 24(4) pp. 466-473. (NAL TD420.A1E5) Stinner, Benjamin R. and House, Garfield J. "The Search for Sustainable Agroecosystems." Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Mar./Ap. 1989) 44(2) pp. 111-116. (NAL 56.8.J822) "Sustainable Agriculture: Perpsectives from Industry." Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Jan./Feb. 1990) 45(1) pp. 31-33. (NAL 56.8.J822) "Sustainable Agriculture: What's It All About?" Agricultural Outlook (May 1992) pp. 30-33. (NAL aHD1751.A42) Taylor, Kenneth J. "Director's Report: Which Agriculture Should We Support?" MFA (Minnesota Food Assn.) Digest (April 1993) 7(1) p. 3. (AFSIC collection, contact for a copy) Toman, Michael A. "The Difficulty in Defining Sustainability." Resources for the Future: Resources (Winter 1992) 106 pp. 3-6. (AFSIC collection, contact for a copy) United States. Congress. Sustainable Agriculture: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Agricultural Research and General Legislation of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, United States Senate, One Hundred Second Congress, Second Session (Sept. 17, 1992) Washington DC: U.S.G.P.O., 1992. (NAL KF26.A351 1992f) Varieties of Sustainability: Reflecting on Ethics, Environment, and Economic Equity: Abstracts of Presentations. Abstracts of Papers Presented at Asilomar Conference Center, May 10-12, 1991, meeting sponsored by Agroecology Program, Univ. of CA Santa Cruz and the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society. Santa Cruz CA: UC Agroecology Program, 1991. (NAL S494.5.S86V27 1991) Walter, Gerry. "Communication and Sustainable Agriculture: Building Agendas for Research and Practice." Agriculture and Human Values (Spring 1992) pp. 27-37. (NAL HT401.A36) Williams, Rick. "An Open Letter to Agricultural Community on Defining Sustainability." Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Jan./Feb. 1990) 45(1) pp. 91-92. (NAL 56.8.J822) Wimberley, Ronald C. "Policy Perspectives on Social, Agricultural, and Rural Sustainability." Rural Sociology (Spring 1993) 58(1) pp. 1-29. (NAL 281.28.R88) Youngberg, Garth and Harwood, Richard. "Sustainable Farming Systems: Needs and Opportunities." American Journal of Alternative Agriculture (1989) 4(3 & 4) p. 100. (NAL S605.5.A43)