Assignment: Defining Agricultural Sustainability
Background: Defining agricultural sustainability is an important first step in creating guidelines for agronomists and consumers. A unified definition also enables farms to meet sustainability and certification requirements.
Scenario: You are concerned about the lack of a formal definition for sustainable agriculture in the United States. You want guidelines developed for agronomists who are interested in pursuing sustainable agriculture practices.
You may express your concern in one of three ways. Select one option from the choices below to complete the assignment.
Option 1: Letter to the Office of Sustainability at the American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Option 2: Letter to the editor of your local newspaper
Option 3: Microsoft® PowerPoint® slide presentation to the Future Farmers of America
Every option choice should include the following four points:
• Explain the necessity for a unified definition of sustainable agriculture. Include the major effects of conventional farming on agricultural systems, including effects on the ecological function of soil.
• Describe the components that should be used to define and promote sustainable agriculture. Include concepts related to pest management, water conservation, soil conservation organically grown foods, and genetically modified foods.
• Explain why each of these components is necessary to achieve agricultural sustainability. Indicate how the components relate to one another and how they collectively support sustainable food production. Include an explanation of why sustainable agriculture is important in maintaining the ecological function of soil.
• Predict the agricultural outcomes when organic practices are not part of sustainable practices.
Option 1: Letter to the Office of Sustainability at the American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Review "Writing the Persuasive Business Letter"
Write a 350- to 700-word letter to the Office of Sustainability at the ASA, explaining why a formal definition and guidelines for sustainable agriculture are important for the farming community.
The mission of the ASA is to promote the conservation and wise use of natural resources to produce food, animal feed, and fiber crops while maintaining the environment. The ASA seeks to accomplish its mission through publications, awards, placement service, certification programs, annual conferences, and student activities.
Resources:
American Society of Agronomy
Plung, D. L. (1980). Writing the Persuasive Business Letter. Journal of Business Communication, 17(3), 45-49.
Vincent, A. (1995). Basics for Better Business Writing. Secretary, 55(3), 7. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Option 2: Letter to the editor of your local newspaper
Write a 350- to 700-word letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining why a formal definition and guidelines for sustainable agriculture are important for your local community, your state, or both.
Option 3: Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation to the Future Farmers of America
Create a 5- to 7-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation to the local high school chapter of National Future Farmers of America proposing a formal definition and guidelines for sustainable farms.
The mission of Future Farmers of America (FFA) is to promote agricultural education that helps prepare students for careers in global agriculture, food, fiber, and managing agricultural resource systems.
Include detailed speaker notes.
Resource:
The National Future Farmers of America Organization.