Low-input, sustainable agriculture: Myth or method?

Excerpt

FOR more than 50 years, federal resource conservation efforts have concentrated on two goals: reducing soil erosion and developing water resources to protect and enhance agricultural productivity. By the early 1980s, Congress had created more than two dozen programs to address these goals. Yet, there is a growing percep-ion among certain parties that these programs are inadequate in addressing national soil erosion and water quality problems (5). Furthermore, U.S. agriculture, long the symbol of a wholesome America, has become linked to a variety of environmental concerns (4). While agriculturally related environmental issues have traditionally been debated primarily within the House and Senate agriculture committees, other congressional panels with expanding environmental agendas are increasingly addressing issues affecting agriculture—from their own perspectives (4).

Some background

The Agricultural Productivity Act, passed as part of the 1985 Food Security Act, provided the authority to conduct research and education programs in alternative farming systems—often referred to as low-input, sustainable agriculture (LISA). In December 1987, Congress appropriated $3.9 million to begin work under this act. More specifically, the Agricultural Productivity Act mandates scientific investigation to (a) enhance agricultural productivity, (b) maintain land productivity, (c) reduce soil erosion and loss …