Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Assessing the Sustainability of your Farm

Sustainability Criteria  Based on practices, not long term The Food Alliance ATTRA Beef Sustainability Check Sheet

The Food Alliance  Portland, Oregon  Evaluation Criteria for application to be farmer members of TFA.  Originally set up for fruit and vegetables growers, has expanded to include livestock and direct seeded crops (wheat, etc.)

TFA Certification – meeting the standards  Fixed standards – a list that all farms must comply with  Whole farm standards – general operating procedures and practices related to four specific topics  Specific product standards – relate directly to production of your crop or animal

TFA: Whole Farm Standards for Certification Reducing Pesticide Usage Soil and Water Conservation Safe and Fair Working Conditions Wildlife Habitat Conservation

Areas that are rated for reducing pesticide usage:

The inspector rates the category from based on observations and talking to grower

Crop Rotation rating levels 1-4 Level 1 - direct-seed fields are not rotated Level 2 - direct-seeded fields are in two- crop rotation with a fallow period Level 3 - Direct seeded crops are in a three-crop rotation, moisture permitting, with at least two of three crops direct seeded. Level 4 - As per level 3, and rotations do not include a chemical fallow. All crops in rotation are direct seeded.

Cover Crops rating levels 1-4 Level 1. Not planned, planted, or managed Level 2. Not used on a regular basis, but are used at different times during the crop rotation Level 3. Are planned, planted, and maintained on a regular basis. Cover crops are used for specific purposes and grower can relate why. Level 4. As per Level 3, and cover crops are part of the farm’s regular crop rotation.

How the TFA assessment system works Combination of practices provide the relative sustainability index for the farming operation. Requires a minimum of 75% (or average of 3 out of 4 total points) on whole farm standards and specific product standards to be eligible.

National sustainable farming information center ATTRA provides technical assistance to farmers, Extension agents, market gardeners, agricultural researchers, and other ag professionals in all 50 states.

ATTRA’s Beef Farm Sustainability Checksheet Designed to stimulate critical thinking in planning a beef cattle operation. Revolves around farm management, use of resources and quality of life. Used to assess operations’ strengths and weaknesses.

Categories for ATTRA checksheet I. Inventory of Farm Resources and Management II. Cattle and Forage Program A. Herd Health and reproductive management B. Breeding, genetics and selection program C. Nutrition Management

IV. Farm Goals III. Farm Management A. Records B. Farm Planning C. Marketing V. Assessment of Individual Pastures VI. Assessment of Soils VII. Assessment of Watershed (Categories for ATTRA checksheet, continued)

How does the checksheet work? Worksheets are meant to be worked on with an extension educator or technical advisor who can coach the producer through the questions.

Example - Farm Goals As you consider the goals of your farming operation, are you: 1) Examining your livestock production program, to make it more cost effective? 2) Assessing the soil, plant, and water resources? 3) Analyzing your marketing program and the diversity of products available? 4) Evaluating your quality of life from a family and community perspective?

Example - Soils Assessment 1) Do you have considerable variation of productivity level and nutrient level within pastures? 2) Would a change in fencing allow better use of pastures based on the productivity of the soils? 3) Are any of your erosion problems due to a lack of water flow control, lack of adequate cover or lack of infiltration? USDA - SARE

Example - Watershed Assessment 1) Do you have buffer zones adjacent to riparian areas? 3) Do you time your fertilizing or spreading of manure/compost to prevent runoff of nutrients? 2) Considering your whole farm as a watershed, do nutrients which contribute to poor water quality leave your farm? MS clipart photo

Summary  There are criteria for sustainable practices  Each farm and cropping system has its own set of parameters and tools.  Based on a set of progressive steps towards a goal

Credits Presentation developed by Cultivating Success TM : Sustainable Small Farms Education.