Sustainable Agriculture

Friends of French Prairie

The preservation of farmland makes little sense unless that land is productive. Farmland cannot simply be set aside as empty space; rather, it must be a vital and balanced part of Oregon’s economy, for decades and centuries. Where there are rising fuel prices, the costs of food will also rise, and even more so when that food comes from far away. And with the advent of the era of global warming, uncertainty abounds for the long term.

All of these factors and many more incline Friends of French Prairie to promote sustainable agriculture. “Sustainable” is today’s term for any venture that can survive in more or less its present form across the years. To be sustainable, farming must produce healthful and affordable local food, protect the soil and environment, and pay the bills. This page, therefore serves as a gateway to sustainable agriculture.

The material found here is intended to provide an overview of the subject, define its relevance for French Prairie, and educate the reader.

What is Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals–environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. A variety of philosophies, policies and practices have contributed to these goals. People in many different capacities, from farmers to consumers, have shared this vision and contributed to it. Despite the diversity of people and perspectives, the following themes commonly weave through definitions of sustainable agriculture.

Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Stewardship of human resources includes consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of laborers, the needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the future. Stewardship of land and natural resources involves maintaining or enhancing this vital resource base for the long term by stewarding the food production resource base for the use of future generations.

A systems perspective is essential to understanding sustainability. The system is envisioned in its broadest sense, from the individual farm, to the local ecosystem, and to communities affected by this farming system both locally and globally. An emphasis on the system allows a larger and more thorough view of the consequences of farming practices on both human communities and the environment. A systems approach gives us the tools to explore the interconnections between farming and other aspects of our environment.
A systems approach also implies interdisciplinary efforts in research and education. This requires not only the input of researchers from various disciplines, but also farmers, farmworkers, consumers, policymakers and others.

Making the transition to sustainable agriculture is a process. For farmers, the transition to sustainable agriculture normally requires a series of small, realistic steps. Family economics and personal goals influence how fast or how far participants can go in the transition. It is important to realize that each small decision can make a difference and contribute to advancing the entire system further on the “sustainable agriculture continuum.” The key to moving forward is the will to take the next step.

Finally, it is important to point out that reaching toward the goal of sustainable agriculture is the responsibility of all participants in the system, including farmers, laborers, policymakers, researchers, retailers, and consumers. Each group has its own part to play, its own unique contribution to make to strengthen the sustainable agriculture community.

Excertped from: University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program.  Download the entire paper in PDF here, or visit the UC Davis web site.

Sustainable Agriculture Presentation

View a presentation entitled “What is Sustainable Agriculture? Why is it important?” by Nick Andrews, Small Farms Extension Agent at the North Willamette Research & Extension Center (OSU). Download the PDF here.

Great and Growing

A report from 1000 Friends of Oregon

1000 Friends of Oregon released a major report on Oregon’s agriculture industry in December, 2013. Entitled Great & Growing: People and Jobs in Oregon’s Agri-Cluster, the report aggregates and shares key information about employment, exports, and community impacts of Oregon agriculture. This report is must reading for those interested in and supportive of Oregon agriculture, and certainly should be of interest to all those curious about the size and importance of agriculture as an economic sector in the State’s economy. Download Great & Growing in PDF here.

Growing Canola in the Willamette Valley

A new problem appearing in the Willamette is the growing of canola for seed intended to crush for oil. Oregon Department of Agriculture is scheduled to issue a Temporary Administrative Rule on August 10 to allow canola to be grown on 480,000 acres in the Willamette Valley. What’s wrong with growing canola? Once canola is in the ground, it is nearly impossible to keep it from cross-pollinating with similar brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, turnips, etc), becoming a noxious weed, and bringing large amounts of pests to the area. This happens due to weather (wind, storms), animals (bees, birds, beetles), and as transportation vehicles travel through even protected areas. Cross contamination of crops can be ruinous to Oregon’s specialty seed industry -known around the world for producing excellent quality seeds – and for organically certified farmers since current USDA Organic guidelines do not allow for genetically engineered material. A number of domestic and international seed purchasers have already made statements saying they will no longer purchase seeds from Oregon producers if the Willamette Valley is opened up for canola production.

FOFP opposes the decision to allow the growing of canola in the Willamette Valley due to its potential to drastically and negatively impact both the fresh vegetable and seed crop industry—compounded by the invasive nature of the plant.

Read the full details in the Capital Press and Oregonian articles posted in Media Articles below, or on the Friends of Family Farmers page at: Canola in the valley.

Sustainable Agriculture in French Prairie

FOFP supports sustainable agriculture as an approach that moves away from monoculture crops raised thousands of miles away, addresses the high transportation costs associated with monoculture, encourages good land stewardship, helps preserve agricultural lands near metro areas, and helps local farmers prosper.

The farmers and growers in the French Prairie Branding Program practice conventional and/or organic farming practices consistent with the ethos of sustainable agriculture. The result is a wide variety of food products grown locally (see French Prairie Brand page for farm details). Some are certified Century Farms, some new, small farming ventures. All are committed to good farming practices that make the most out of the high quality soil found in French Prairie.

News Coverage and White Papers

Capital Press
Transitioning farm always a challenge (from Associated Press)

December 13, 2013

Capital Press
Oregon ag an economic powerhouse

December 4, 2013

Capital Press
Canola bill goes to the Governor

July 5, 2013

Capital Press
ODA expands canola acreage in Willamette Valley

February 15, 2013

Capital Press
New canola rule under fire in legislature

February 13, 2013

Oregon's Agricultural Progress
Canola in the Valley

Winter 2013

Capital Press
Lawmakers propose canola ban

January 25, 2013

Capital Press
Hearing brings out both sides of canola controversy

January 24, 2013

Capital Press
Canola comment period extended

October 19, 2012

The Oregonian
No canola this fall: Oregon Court of Appeals halts attempt to expand planting acres

August 31, 2012

Oregon Court of Appeals
Oregon Court of Appeals Order: ODA Temporary Ruling to expand canola growing area

August 31, 2012

Capital Press
100 years later this farm's still growing hops

August 27, 2012

Capital Press
Organic hop acres rising as Jan 1 deadline nears

August 27, 2012

Capital Press
Final Ruling on canola stay expected soon

August 22, 2012

The Oregonian
Oregon Appeals Court halts canola rules after farm groups say they would cause irreparable harm

August 18, 2012

The Oregonian
Canola growing area expands, introducing a seed nightmare into the Willamette Valley

August 14, 2012

Capital Press
ODA Opens More Areas for Canola

August 10, 2012

The Oregonian
Oregon defines acreage where controversial canola can be grown

August 7, 2012

Capital Press
Exhibit unearths mysteries of soil

Feb. 24, 2012

Capital Press
Hazelnuts lure grass seed growers

Feb. 24, 2012

Capital Press
Brothers struggle in suddenly acidic soil

Feb. 24, 2012

Capital Press
Dairy profits on pampered cows

Feb. 10, 2012

The Oregonian
Farmers search for alternatives to grass seed

August 13, 2011

Capital Press
Couple Engineers a natural farm

May 27, 2010

The Oregonian
Willamette Basin's stream health in jeopardy

Oct 20, 2009

The Oregonian
Canola good for biofuels, bad for other crops

Sept 1, 2009

The Oregonian
Oil seed for bio-fuels

August 28, 2009

Capital Press
Meat producers feed demand for home deliveries

July 3, 2009

Capital Press
US must cultivate young farmers

February 13, 2009

Capital Press
Service separates distributor from competition

February 12, 2009

Capital Press
Ag needs to be a priority

February 12, 2009

Capital Press
Farmers giving up field after field

January 26, 2009

Capital Press
California drought may mean costlier groceries

January 26, 2009

Capital Press
Drought Losses pass a quarter of a billion dollars

September 8, 2008

The Oregonian
Plowing a middle ground on farms: Ag and development interests square off

December 12, 2008

Capital Press
Best of both worlds unite: organic no-till can save time, fuel and other input costs

December 12, 2008

The Oregonian
It Could Happen To Our Food Supply

December 5, 2008

Capital Press
Distributors Offer Growers Tips on Marketing Produce

November 28, 2008

Oregon Department of Agriculture
ODA - Oregon Agriculture Production 2008

November 27, 2008

The Oregonian
Oregon Agriculture: A Success Story Worth Protecting

October 7, 2008

Capital Press
Slow Food Nation talks food policy

September 5, 2008

Capital Press
Dairyman touts organics

September 5, 2008

Capital Press
ODA Mulls Sustainable Certification

August 22, 2008

Capital Press
Virtual Marketplace Goes Online

August 22, 2008

Oregon Department of Agriculture
Oregon at a Crossroads: Saving French Prairie

August 15, 2008

The Oregonian
Top Crops (in Oregon)

August 9, 2008

Capital Press
Community Supported Agriculture's get their participant's share

August 8, 2008

The Oregonian
Shipping Case In Point: the blueberries’ trek

August 8, 2008

National & Global Level

Capital Press
The new face of hunger: Briefings

April 17, 2008

Capital Press
Food Prices—Cheap no more: Opinion

December 6, 2007