- Join a CSA
- Support Fresh on the Menu participating Restaurants
- Shop at our local farmer's markets
- Support Family Farms by visiting U-picks and roadside stands, going to farm events, and eating seasonally
- Support organizations that support sustainable agriculture
- Contact Alan if you have land that you are interested in having farmed
- Contact Alan if you are interested in becoming a farmer or interning on a farm
- Plant a garden in your backyard
- Teach your children where food comes from and who grows it
What is Sustainable Agriculture? As you begin to explore this idea, you quickly come to find that agriculture or more importantly food plays a central role is many of our lives. After all, what other activity do each of us participate in several times every day!
One can begin to examine the meaning of Sustainable Agriculture by understanding that it 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, to chefs, to grocers 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. For further information on the meaning of sustainable agriculture please follow this link.
Sustainable agriculture is a collaborative effort at local, regional, and national levels. We are working hard to network, work with, and learn from our many colleagues across the country. This movement brings together folks from diverse organizations, political perspectives, and life experiences all working to reconnect those who grow our food with those who eat it and to enable our growers to continue to profitably farm their land. For more information on some of these groups and about local food systems please visit:
- ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
- American Farmland Trust
- ASAP - Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
- CEFS - Center for Environmental Farming Systems
- CFSA - Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
- Clemson University Sustainable Agriculture Program
- Growing Small Farms
- National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
- SARE - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension
- SSAWG - Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
