Developed by: Cinda Williams, UID Ext. Kevin Laughlin, UID Ext. Susan Donaldson, UNV Coop. Ext. Univ. of Idaho Extension

 The whole-property concept  Integrating the lessons you’ve learned  Viewing your property through a sustainability lens  How others are making it work  Monitoring and assessing progress  How you’re making it work

“involves farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for people and communities.” (SARE)  These systems must be: ◦ Economically sustainable ◦ Environmentally sustainable ◦ Socially sustainable USDA NRCS “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (U.S. EPA)

Steward: a person who manages another's property or financial affairs Environmental stewardship: the responsibility to take care of our natural resources to ensure they are sustainably managed for current and future generations

“The practice of carefully managing land usage to ensure natural systems are maintained or enhanced for future generations.” -The Land Stewardship Center USDA NRCS

 Caring for the system as a whole ◦ Holistic approach  Conserving resources ◦ Renewable and non-renewable  Maintaining, building and enhancing stability in nature ◦ Encourage biodiversity  Honoring cultural values and ethics ◦ Think long term

Use what you’ve learned about:  Inventory and goals  Soils  Water  Wildfire threat reduction  Plants  Animals  Management

Redrawn by A. Miller from g

 System: a group of interacting, interdependent elements that function together as a complex unified whole

National Center for Atmospheric Research

Losses or soil storage Managed outputs Meat and milk Crops ManureInputs Feed Animals Irrigation water Fertilizer Legume N Feed Manure Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Farm boundary, but remember to think outside the box too!

 What are the components of your system?  How are they interrelated?  How does an action on one component affect other parts of your system?

 Seeks to understand the big picture  Observes how elements within systems change over time, generating patterns and trends

 Identifies the circular nature of complex cause- and-effect relationships, i.e. interdependencies  Changes perspectives

 Environmental concerns  Economic factors  Social issues

Soils Short-term ActionsLong-term Goals 1.Do a soil test for nutrients, organic matter content, etc. 2.Plant cover crops and till in as green manure Outcome: Improved soil quality

Plants Short-term ActionsLong-term Goals 1.Assess existing vegetation 2.Improve grass mixture 3.Implement rotational grazing Outcome: Healthy pastures and healthy animals

Business Short-term ActionsLong-term Goals 1.Research and identify a feasible niche market 2.Develop a business plan Outcome: Make a profit from your small-acreage enterprise

Short-term ActionsLong-term Goals

 How do the practices we employ on our land influence the soil? USDA NRCS

 Work on the basics of high-quality soils ◦ Reduce tillage ◦ Add organic matter (plant cover crops) ◦ Reduce applications of synthetic-based chemicals Monitor for: Earthworms, Organic matter, roots and residues, Subsurface compaction, Soil tilth, Erosion, Water-holding capacity, Drainage and infiltration, Crop condition, Nutrient-holding capacity, pH

 Water quantity ◦ Reduce unnecessary water loss by covering soil (cover crops, mulch, etc.) ◦ Increase water-use efficiency by proper irrigation  Water quality ◦ Prevent runoff of soil into water bodies ◦ Prevent contamination by livestock by installing buffers or providing off-stream watering USDA NRCS

 For your crops or pasture?  For your animals?  In your landscape?  In your home? NDEP

 Build well-structured soils that retain water  Design for infiltration of water, rather than runoff  Plant species that are drought-tolerant and disease-resistant  Capture, conserve and recycle water

Drought index

 In the short term?  In the midterm (3 years)?  In the long term (5 years)?  What is your contingency plan?  What will you do differently?

Was wildfire part of your long-term plan? Make a plan for protecting and preserving your space

 Promote ecological balance with plant diversity  Maintain vegetative cover  Enhance or provide organic matter  Enhance nutrient recycling  Promote pest population balance through biological strategies

You can manage parts of the system to decrease internal parasites and their effects ATTRA Pasture rotation

 Make use of renewable energy ◦ Solar  Pumps for watering and irrigation  Greenhouses ◦ Wind  Electricity for buildings ◦ Biofuels  Oils or fuel from plants ◦ Energy from animal waste (which is not a waste after all!)  Methane digesters

 Choose your production system  Develop your niche ◦ Your uniqueness is the key ◦ Tell your story!  Value-added products  Connect to customers and the community  Understand the bottom line

 For you and your family ◦ Physical health: exposure and safety ◦ Mental health: stress and depression  For employees ◦ Fair treatment ◦ Decent wages and living conditions  For animals ◦ Humane treatment of animals ◦ Low-stress handling USDA NRCS

 Links between the landowner or farmer and the community  Networking  Partnerships and collaboration  Lifelong learning  What can you do? ◦ Host public and school tours ◦ Share what you’ve learned ◦ Donate food to local food banks ◦ Buy fresh and buy local ◦ Join a co-op or support group

 Protect ground and surface water resources  Conserve water, practice efficient application  Stabilize, amend, and cover soil ◦ increase organic matter ◦ Increase moisture content ◦ decrease erosion  Improve vegetative cover and better manage vegetated areas to increase occurrence  Focus on systems sustainability by looking at all aspects of your property: land, soil, water, plants, animals, etc.

 Host field trips for schools  Encourage students to participate in the farm  Create school gardens  Support youth programs  Volunteer

 Before you took this class, how were you interacting with your resources?  What are you doing differently now?  What do you plan to do differently in the future?  What results do you want?  How will you achieve your goals?  How will you know if you succeeded?  How are you making progress toward making your property more sustainable?

 SARE –  ATTRA –  Local organizations ◦ CSU Ext.  ◦ USDA-NRCS ◦ Conservation District  ◦ CSFS 

 What do sustainability and stewardship mean to you?  How will you be a better steward?  How can you help your neighbors become better stewards?  How does systems thinking help you achieve your goals?

 How are you integrating what you’ve learned about your resources?  How have you affected your own property?  How have you affected your community?  Have your long-term goals changed? Why?  What do you hope to accomplish?  How will your property be more sustainable?  Are you a better steward?

You’re on your way to a sustainable approach to managing all the resources on your small-acreage property! UNCE, Reno, NV