From jhaap@tilth.orgFri Aug 25 22:14:44 1995 Date: Fri, 25 Aug 1995 14:42:27 +0100 From: "J. J. Haapala" To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Working draft SUSTAINABILITY INDEX (fwd) WORKING DRAFT - SUSTAINABILITY INDEX (This model was presented to the SARE Administrative Council at their strategic planning session 8/24/95 in Utah. An earlier version of this model was first submitted to the 3rd. Consensus Building Meeting Among IPM and Sustainable Agriculture Leaders held in Washington, DC, May 8-9, 1995 at the World Wildlife Fund Headquarters, and developed with help from: Wendy Wintersteen (Dept. of Entomology, Iowa State University), George Norton (Dept. of Ag and Ap Ec, Virginia Tech), George Bird (Dept of Entomology, Michigan State University), Michael Sligh (RAFI), Craig Hollingsworth (Dept of Entomology, University of Massechusetts), Dan McGrath (OSU Extension, IPPC), Marcos Kogan (IPPC), and Steven Carjuana (Pacific Rivers Council). Thanks to the Northwest Area Foundation for their support - J.J. Haapala) Definitions: Foodshed Council - community, expert, industry, and stakeholder representatives from a given community that identify the constraints to sustainability, and evaluate the potential impact of a set of appropriate positive practices. Sustainability Index - The set of weighted positive practices available to the producers within the region of the Foodshed Council. Threshold - The percentage of adoption of positive practices required of a producer or a community to qualify as "sustainable" Positive practices -cultural practices, materials, and methods, that are commonly held to favorably impact the given criteria. Criteria - the set of outcome based indicators impacted by agricultural practices. Criteria: 1. soil quality 2. water quality 3. air quality 4. energy efficiency 5. economic viability 6. fish and wildlife habitat 7. quality of life (safety) 8. social acceptance Model: The Sustainability Index I. Weight criteria. Weigh outcome based criteria according to their threat to immediate and long-term sustainability.(10 = most threatening) II. Identify positive practices. Identify current and possible agricultural practices for their potential of favorable impact on outcome based criteria. III. Weight potential impact of positive practices on given criteria. Evaluate positive practices for their potential for alleviating the immediate and long term threats to sustainability. IV. Cumulate Multiply practice value by criterion weight to determine total value. Add values to determine 100% Determine percentage of adoption for qualification (ie. 80%). Example: Columbia Basin Plateau I. Weight criteria: Criteria Weight Justification A. Soil quality : 10 erosion, depletion of organic matter B. Water quality: 8 erosion leading to turbidity, siltification, lack of rainfall C. Air quality: 6 burning, dust D. Econ. viabil.: 10 margin of profit nonexistant without deficit payments E. Social acceptance: 5 growing urban animosity, perceived threat to salmon F. Quality of life: 4 consolidation of farming, decreased range land G. Wildlife habitat: 7 loss of anadromous fish habitat, large game II. Evaluate Practices: Criteria A B C D E F G Value Weight 10 8 6 10 5 4 7 X Practice: Wheat fallow 1 0 0 3 2 6 3 106 Annual wheat 5 4 5 5 6 4 2 204 Chisel plow 6 3 2 4 4 2 1 ... No till ... Alternative crops Legume rotation Pasture rotation Residue mgmnt. Off stream watering Burning Fall plowing Grass rotations Windbreak Scouting Terraces Monitoring On-farm research ... Total possible (e.g.) 4,943 III. Cumulate 4,943 points possible = 100% Establish threshold for sustainability (e.g.) 80% Note: This model is to develop local input to establishing criteria and evaluating practices. Its utility extends from Whole Farm Plans to community, state, and national awards programs identifying sustainable producers etc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- jhaap@tilth.org J. J. Haapala * Oregon Tilth Research & Development 30848 Maple Drive * Junction City, OR 97448 * +1 (503) 998-5801 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------