Ivy Pepin
A new approach to agriculture is taking hold across the United States—an approach that has the potential to transform our entire food system for the better.
A few years ago, if you had opened the doors to a chicken house on Halley Farm in Texas, you would have been hit with the stench of ammonia. You would have heard—and then, as your eyes adjusted to the darkness, you would have seen—thousands of chickens packed into a vast warehouse. Looking closer, you would have noticed countless animals lying on the ground, nursing broken bones and painfully raw patches of skin, all of them suffering. You would have seen a system that was, to put it simply, unsustainable.
Today, if you open those same doors, you’ll see rows and rows of green hemp plants drying after harvest, providing a long-term source of revenue for the farm. You’ll see a system better for the Halley family, better for the community, better for the environment, and—of course—better for the animals. Halley Farm is a member of Mercy for Animals’ Transfarmation Project, just one example in the widespread movement toward a more sustainable agricultural system.
What is sustainable agriculture?
“Sustainable agriculture” simply refers to farming practices that incorporate and prioritize sustainability, or the ability to maintain a process over time. It describes an agricultural system that can be sustained indefinitely, providing food and fiber to meet the needs of the present and the needs of future generations. Author and environmentalist Wes Jackson is credited with having coined the term in his 1980 book New Roots for Agriculture—and the buzzy phrase has since been used (sometimes inaccurately) in books, in films and documentaries, on product packaging, in news articles, at industry summits, and even in US law.
Practitioners of sustainable agriculture take a holistic viewpoint. Rather than just aiming to maximize profit and production in the short term, they prioritize the longevity of the system—considering how their farming practices impact the environment, local communities, animals, and every person they encounter on the journey from farm to table. Rather than working against nature—destroying forested landscapes, killing insects with harmful pesticides, and depleting soil with chemical fertilizer—sustainable agriculture aims to work with the natural landscape, creating a system that’s built to last.
Although the word “sustainable” often has environmental connotations, it can also refer to societies, economies, and ways of life. That’s why the main idea behind sustainable agriculture is to steward both natural resources and human resources—protecting the wellbeing of farmers, strengthening local economies, improving living conditions in surrounding communities, promoting consumer health, and much more.
While proponents of animal farming often characterize some forms of animal agriculture as being “sustainable” (such as the popular idea of regenerative ranching), it’s important to note that livestock-based systems are inherently unsustainable. Not only does cattle ranching waste valuable land and water by growing crops for animal feed rather than human consumption, but the concept of using cattle to support carbon sequestration also faces significant issues of scale. Dr. Tara Garnett of the University of Oxford, who led an exhaustive research report on regenerative ranching, points out that "rising animal production and consumption, whatever the farming system and animal type, is causing damaging greenhouse gas release and contributing to changes in land use.” A truly sustainable system of agriculture uses as few resources as possible, while causing the least amount of harm and destruction—which ultimately means a system focused on growing plants.
Why is sustainable agriculture important?
Starting in the early 1900s, as the Industrial Revolution blossomed across the United States, farms began to look different. Flourishing, colorful fields bursting with a variety of fruits and vegetables came to be replaced by monocultures—vast fields of a single, identical crop. Nutrient-rich soil, once nourished by garden compost, became thin and lifeless. And picturesque farm fields were replaced by enormous windowless sheds, or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)—all packed as tightly as possible with suffering animals.
Industrial agriculture had become the new face of the US food system, characterized by large-scale monocultures used for animal feed, high levels of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and CAFOs where living beings were treated as nothing more than products. Instead of being run by small farmers, these machine-like operations were managed by giant corporations wielding inordinate amounts of money and political power. This was the case for Halley Farm, which was locked into a contract with Pilgrim’s Pride—leaving the family with sick chickens, their own injuries and health complications from working with the animals in hazardous conditions, and hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt.
The system of intensive agriculture described above aims to maximize profits and production—all with blatant disregard for the climate, soils, water, humans, and animals involved. Along with relying on systemic cruelty toward people and animals, industrial animal agriculture has an enormous carbon footprint, with some estimates showing food systems are responsible for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. So while this current system meets our immediate needs, it’s destroying the very environment and resources it relies on.
Sustainable agriculture represents a paradigm shift: Rather than extracting as many resources as possible, it aims to work in harmony with the natural environment, creating a self-sustaining system that will endure for generations to come. This means shifting away from our current system of intensive, animal-focused agriculture and toward a more efficient, harmonious, plant-focused system. Notably, sustainable and plant-centric agricultural practices can help mitigate catastrophic climate change, while also remaining resilient in the face of extreme weather, drought, and flooding.
Here are just a few of the benefits of sustainable agriculture.
1. Saving water
Intensive animal agriculture wastes enormous amounts of water. Every day, a single dairy cow uses between 40 and 50 gallons. On top of that, growing the crops used for animal feed is incredibly water-intensive—so much so that animal agriculture is responsible for nearly 20% of freshwater use globally. By contrast, sustainable farming practices view water as the precious resource it is, aiming to conserve whenever possible—through smarter irrigation systems, drought-tolerant plants, cover crops to support soil structure, and moving away from animal farming altogether.
2. Reducing pollution
Along with wasting water, factory farming pollutes critical water sources—with agricultural runoff listed among the leading causes of water pollution in the US. High concentrations of animals on these farms result in enormous volumes of waste, all rich in phosphorus and nitrogen. When this pollution seeps into the groundwater and nearby bodies of water, it causes enormous “dead zones,” or algae blooms that kill fish and other marine life.
Factory farming also pollutes the very air we breathe—whether from the toxic ammonia emanating from poultry farms, massive amounts of pesticides sprayed on crops grown for animal feed, or emissions of nitrous oxide from nitrogen fertilizer. Air pollution harms the health of the animals, farm workers, and even the surrounding community. By transitioning to more sustainable and plant-centric agricultural practices, farmers can help ensure clean air and water for future generations.
3. Increasing resilience to extreme weather
“Agriculture is a risky business,” Laura Lengnick points out in her Introduction to Climate Resilience in Agriculture, a resource for farmers. “The outcome of every growing season hinges on dynamic interactions between soils, crops, livestock, pests, weather, finances, regulations and markets… But in recent years, managing weather-related risk, already one of the highest risk factors in agriculture, has become even harder, as weather patterns become more variable from day to day and season to season.”
As the impacts of climate change continue to worsen, the farms that grow our food need to be able to withstand drought, wildfires, flooding, and other forms of extreme weather. Through sustainable practices, many farmers are working to increase the resilience of their systems. Methods include diversifying crops (which reduces economic vulnerability), adding improved drainage or irrigation systems, protecting and strengthening soil by planting cover crops, and more.
4. Protecting soil health and storing carbon
Soil itself is a living ecosystem that supports plants, animals, and humans. It’s the foundation of our life on earth! And, as is the case for any living being, the overall health of soil is of utmost importance. Healthy soil should be able to effectively cycle nutrients to make them available to plants, maintain a strong enough structure to hold water, filter contaminants to clean the freshwater supply, and withstand erosion. Protecting soil health is a key component of sustainable agriculture, which seeks to ensure the longevity of soil rather than depleting it for immediate gain.
Perhaps the most magical thing about healthy soil is that it works as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. So not only does protecting soil increase its resilience to extreme weather, it also helps mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
What is the main goal of sustainable agriculture?
The main goal of sustainable agriculture is simply to ensure that our food system will continue to effectively provide for future generations—even within the evolving conditions caused by global climate change. Rather than solely focusing on profits, sustainable agriculture practitioners aim to steward the environment, advance social equity, and strengthen local economies—all while profiting economically to sustain their work for the long term.
As noted in the USDA’s National Agricultural Library: “If advocating the need for a sustainable agriculture has become universal, agreement as to what is required to achieve it has not.” Despite the rich conversation it has inspired over the last few decades, sustainable agriculture still lacks a single definition or clear standard. While a few groups have attempted to define a set of guidelines and provide “sustainable agriculture” certifications, including the Rainforest Alliance, the term’s official meaning is still under debate. US Congress first addressed the concept of sustainable agriculture by attempting to define it in the 1990 “Farm Bill”—but their definition, according to US Code Title 7, Section 3103, still suggests that animal production practices can be sustainable:
“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 agriculture 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 (E) enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”
There’s still room in the discussion for a plant-centric definition of sustainable agriculture, one that prioritizes productivity, efficiency, and longevity—and not at the expense of animals, people, or the environment.
What are sustainable agriculture practices?
However it’s defined, sustainable agriculture should be thought of as an ongoing practice and philosophy, guiding all decisions and processes on a farm. Here are some of the ways farmers can practice sustainable agriculture on a day-to-day basis.
"No-till" farming
Remember the importance of protecting soil health? By reducing or eliminating tillage (the traditional method of plowing a garden), farmers avoid disturbing the soil, helping to reduce erosion and increase biological activity within the soil. According to the USDA, soil left to its own biological processes often has a higher organic matter content than conventionally tilled soil. This method also saves money and time, which is more sustainable for farmers as well.
Planting cover crops and perennials
Another way to protect, nourish, and restore soil is to plant cover crops. Generally, these crops are planted in the fall or winter to protect vulnerable soil from wind and snow. By creating a protective canopy, cover crops reduce soil runoff and lock in nutrients—resulting in better soil structure, stability, and moisture over time. Common cover crops include clovers, turnips, mustard, buckwheat, alfalfa, and radishes.
Integrated pest management (IPM)
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a fancy way of saying… protecting gardens from bugs! Rather than spraying harmful pesticides, IPM takes the holistic viewpoint that is characteristic of sustainable agriculture. It encourages creative solutions like disrupting the pest’s environment, bringing in “natural enemies” (which might even be other insects!), planting crops that discourage certain bugs, and closely monitoring the situation to accurately diagnose and predict pest problems. While IPM sounds more labor-intensive than spraying pesticides, it actually aims to find the most effective and least-risk option, preventing further problems (and more work) later on. Along with its agricultural applications, IPM can also be used to manage pests in homes, businesses, and recreational areas.
Rotating crops and encouraging diversity
Ecosystems are meant to exist as interdependent, resilient communities, with diverse forms of life supporting each other’s various processes. But intensive agriculture today looks very different. Always profit- and efficiency-driven, it prioritizes monocultures, or vast fields of a single crop—usually corn, soybeans, or wheat. These plants are especially vulnerable to disease and pests, as they aren’t supported by the biodiversity that protects plants in the natural world.
Farmers can change this through polyculture and crop rotation, which supports the soil and helps suppress disease and pest infestations. Diversified farms are also more economically resilient, protecting farmers from becoming totally dependent on a single vulnerable crop—and from price fluctuations associated with evolving supply and demand.
Adopting agroforestry practices
Agroforestry is when a farmer intentionally integrates trees into their crop systems. This could mean planting crops in an area protected by trees, known as a “windbreak;” growing crops under a forest canopy for shade; or planting trees and shrubs along a river to prevent erosion and filter farm runoff. With their sturdy roots and the protection from wind, sun, and rain they provide, trees offer a wonderful way to work in harmony with the natural landscape.
What is the current greatest threat to agricultural sustainability?
Unfortunately, the existing system of intensive animal agriculture is incredibly powerful—and so is its marketing. In the last few years, phrases like “grass-fed beef,” “regeneratively grown,” and “sustainably sourced” have popped up all over store shelves. The idea that regenerative ranching could provide a climate solution has given the meat industry a convenient excuse to keep producing hamburgers—and emissions. Switching to grass-fed beef is simply not a solution. Instead, opting for a plant-based diet can keep money out of the pockets of Big Ag, instead diverting it to projects like Halley Farm that are working to diversify and strengthen our food system.
A food system for the future
Picture a lush and vibrant landscape bursting with a variety of trees, vegetables, and native plants. Beneath the surface, the rich soil is busy cycling nutrients and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Above ground, the lush plants exhale oxygen and provide nourishing food for insects, animals, and humans. Trees offer generous shade, wild birds and animals take shelter in the plant life, and bright flowers create a peaceful oasis for all to enjoy.
This is the future that sustainable agriculture imagines—and the future that the Halley Farm family, in partnership with Mercy for Animals, is trying to work toward. By transitioning from raising poultry to growing hemp, they’ve experienced not only better financial investment and payoff, but also a much higher quality of life on the farm.
“It’s been really great to see Bo and Sam go from very troubled, angry, and broken people while the chicken houses were here to just flourishing with joy working with the plants,” says family friend Evan about the two brothers. “It just melts your heart... How can you not love that?”
What you can do
As a consumer, you have tremendous power. Simply cutting back on animal products can help divert money away from industrial agriculture—revoking support for factory farming and the monocultures used to grow animal feed. Instead, opt for a diverse, colorful diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Diversifying your plate is a simple way to support a more diversified, sustainable food system.
The large-scale transition to a more sustainable food system won’t happen in a day. But in the meantime, we can end the worst forms of abuse—especially for animals like chickens, who account for 9 in 10 land animals raised for food around the world. Join us in demanding that corporate giants sign onto the Better Chicken Commitment and end the most extreme forms of animal abuse.
