College News

Ag Instructor Vic Martin: What Is Sustainable Farming?

Great Bend Tribune
Published February 19, 2023

The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, February 14 indicates almost no change for the western half of the state and some slight improvement for Northeast and East Central Kansas.  The forecast isn’t helping.  If this trend doesn’t change, it will be a challenge making decisions for the winter crop and as we head into spring planting.  The six to ten-day outlook (February 21 to 25) indicates a 33 to 60% chance of below normal temperatures and 33 to 40% chance of above normal precipitation.  The eight to fourteen-day outlook (February 23 to March 1) indicates near normal temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of below normal precipitation.  Not what we need to see.

Today, let’s discuss the topic of sustainable farming.  In fact, K-State is hosting a three-series session focusing on the health of the farm, it’s finances, and the mental health of those farming.  Everyone has their own definition of sustainability; however, K-State’s general topics seem appropriate.  For the discussion today, let’s define sustainability in the following way:

  • First, and this helps with the other two points, it must sustain the farming environment.  At the very least, maintain the current ecosystem, but hopefully for the long-term viability of the operation, improve it.  This includes the soil physical, chemical and biological environment: the amount and quality of any groundwater resources, protects and improves surface waters, and for permanent pastures heads them in the direction of a more mature, stable ecosystem that promotes palatable grasses and decreases less palatable species and invasive species.  For some, this trends towards organic farming, eliminating GMO crops and conventional pesticides, and even inorganic fertilizers.  Here we mean using a variety of cultural practices, including inorganic fertilizers and conventional pesticides as appropriate in an environmentally safe manner.
  • Secondly, and this is aided by the first bullet point, it means that the practices a producer uses and the short- and long-term plans for the operation are economically sustainable and the resulting net income allows the producer to continue their operation.  This includes being successful with the first bullet point and also not overextending the operation financial which can be challenging to say the least.  Items such as proper crop insurance and marketing are key economically.
  • Lastly, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that the physical and mental health of those in the farming/ranching community has suffered over the last several years.  This has led to a tragic increase in suicides and many dealing with severe depression.  All of this has been compounded by a lack of mental health care in the countryside and the isolation of the pandemic.  Fortunately, government across all levels has recognized the severity of the problem and are trying to address this.  Finally, if progress can be made with the first two points coupled with better weather, it would help relieve the pressures being faced by the agricultural community.