Ecologically sound and practical applications for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Rampant soil erosion of as much as 20 tons per acre per year doesn’t merely affect farmers. The nitrogen and phosphorus contained in the soil affect aquatic life and marine ecosystems, creating the dead zones and cultural eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. Losing topsoil is like losing time-one cannot get it back. Many fear the depletion in topsoil will eventually affect food availability. The authors examine how no-till farming, crossbreeding and domestication of perennial plants, and a purposeful shift toward sustainable intensification and polyculture farming will positively impact future generations. Author Anna Christine Taylor also includes her interviews with professionals who practice sustainable farming or sustainable living. As a millennial, she presents her hope that a focus on communication, education, and economic viability will pave the way for the sustainable future.