Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite these positive trends, several sustainability issues are connected with this dramatic growth in strawberry
production. For example, soil erosion and nutrient leaching have been observed in organic strawberries planted over
a large area. What might be called “level-4 thinking” should include consideration of such issues, as part of a concern
for the health of the entire system. And this includes more complex social issues. As can be seen in Table 20.2, the
number of organic strawberry producers has recently declined, even as the acreage planted has increased. In addition,
since organic strawberries usually require more labor, issues of worker health, safety, and pay equity must be also
considered. The research carried out by the Agroecology Research Group over the last couple of decades has laid
the foundation for making strawberries a crop for which many of these level-4 issues can be addressed (Table 20.2).
TA B L E 2 0 . 2
Changes in Organic Strawberry Production in California, 1997 to 2004
Number of Organic
Producers
Gross Declared Value ($ in
Millions)
Number of Organic
Producers
Year
1997
n/a
n/a
n/a
1998
82
2.5
82
1999
99
8.7
99
2000
119
9.7
119
2001
113
9.3
113
2002
105
12.5
105
2003
99
24.6
99
2004
n/a
28.4
n/a
a Acreage may tend to be an over-estimate since it may also include fallow or unplanted land set aside for future plantings.
Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture. 2004. County organic crop value and acreage reports. www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/fveqc/
organic.htm
EVALUATING THE CONVERSION EFFORT
whose owner-operator wishes to convert to a recognized
alternative type of management, such as certified organic
agriculture, and wants to participate in the design and
management of the farm system during the conversion
process (Gliessman, 2002b, 2004). Such a “farmer-first”
approach is considered essential in the search for viable
farming practices that eventually have the best chance of
being adopted by other farmers.
The amount of time needed to complete the conversion
process depends greatly on the type of crop or crops being
farmed, the local ecological conditions where the farm is
located, and the prior history of management and input use.
For short-term annual crops, the time frame might be as
short as 3 years, and for perennial crops and animal sys-
tems, the time period is probably at least 5 years or longer.
Study of the conversion process involves several levels
of data collection and analysis:
Initially, the conversion to ecologically based agroeco-
system management results in an array of ecological
changes in the system (Gliessman, 2004). As the use of
synthetic agrochemicals is reduced or eliminated, and
nutrients and biomass are recycled within the system,
agroecosystem structure and function change as well. A
range of processes and relationships are transformed,
beginning with aspects of basic soil structure, organic
matter content, and diversity and activity of soil biota.
Eventually major changes also occur in the activity of and
relationships among weed, insect, and disease popula-
tions, and in the balance between beneficial and pest
organisms. Ultimately, nutrient dynamics and cycling,
energy use efficiency, and overall system productivity are
impacted. Measuring and monitoring these changes during
the conversion period helps the farmer evaluate the success
of the conversion process, and provides a framework for
determining the requirements for sustainability. This kind
of evaluation will help convince a larger segment of the
agricultural community that conversion to more-
sustainable practices is possible and economically feasible.
For a researcher, the study of the process of conversion
begins with identifying a study site. This should be a
functioning, on-farm, commercial crop production unit
1.
Examine the changes in ecological factors and
processes over time through monitoring and
sampling.
2.
Observe how yields change with changing prac-
tices, inputs, designs, and management.
3.
Understand the changes in energy use, labor, and
profitability that accompany the above changes.
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