Sustainag.org provides links to information about sustainable agriculture. Sustainability is traditionally associated with environmental and development issues. The most accepted definition, from the World Commission on the Environment and Development, is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This applies to agriculture as well in two primary contexts.

The first is an environmental context where the focus is on ensuring that farming practices do not decrease the ability to ensure an adequate and safe food supply for future generations. The focus here is not only on the effects of farming practices themselves but also the industrial agriculture model with its increasing concentration of power in key input factors such as seeds and fertilisers and output outlets such as food processors and retailers. Topics of interest are biodiversity, the use of genetically modified organisms, alternative methods of production such as organic and integrated pest management as well as key political concepts such as multifunctionality and the role of antitrust rules.

The second is a socio-economic context where the focus is on structures that either empower or limit the ability of producers and consumers to sustain markets for certain kinds of products now and in the future. The focus here is on the role of government and private sector actors in shaping the markets in which food and agricultural goods are produced and traded. Topics of interest are farmers markets and community upported agriculture schemes (CSAs), labelling concepts such as geographical indications and fair trade, and the role of industry standards and government support policies, particularly as they relate to the rules governing the international trade of agriculture.

Sustainable agriculture encompasses environmental, geographic, historical, cultural, political, economic, and social issues. This website provides a number of links that are organised topically and by source to provide a window into the issues associated with sustainable agriculture. This site will evolve with new sources of information and contributions from those interested in the issue are welcomed.