Sustainable agriculture refers to an agricultural production and
distribution system that:

• Achieves the integration of natural biological cycles and controls, 
• Protects and renews soil fertility and the natural resource base,
• Optimizes the management and use of on-farm resources,
• Reduces the use of nonrenewable resources and purchased production inputs,
• Provides an adequate and dependable farm income,
• Promotes opportunity in family farming and farm communities, and
• Minimizes adverse impacts on health, safety, wildlife, water quality

and the environment.

Elements of Sustainability

Last Updated:  March 1999