Despite several decades of research and practice, "sustainable agriculture" remains more an idea than a reality. We all depend on the world's farmers to keep us alive, yet we also expect them to minimize their ecological footprint, contribute to social well-being, and prosper financially. This triple mandate is onerous to say the least, especially as the world's population increases by another 3 billion people between now and 2050, and demand for agricultural products doubles over the next 40 years.

Key questions to be explored include: How can agriculture meet rising productivity requirements while at the same time embodying sustainability? What does "sustainable agriculture" really mean? How can we measure agricultural sustainability? How sustainable is agriculture currently? Which policies support and/or detract from sustainable agriculture? What will it take to expand sustainable agriculture to a scale commensurate with the rising human population? How do answers to these questions vary across crops and countries?

This workshop is part-two of a two-part series (although they can be taken independently). In Sustainable Agriculture Management IEPG 8641 A we will survey production systems from around the world that embody, include and reject sustainable agriculture principles and practices. We will explore the connections between sustainable agriculture practices and other social changes goals and movements including sustainable development, food sovereignty, food security, regional food systems, economic justice and environmental justice. We will also spend a full day visiting farms that successfully utilize sustainable agriculture practices.

Students that are interested in exploring this topic further are encouraged to contact the instructor about an Independent Study that is being offered.