It’s undeniable that farming and gardening require planning – buying seeds, planting and transplanting, harvesting, and so much more. But what about long-term planning for the health and wellbeing of the land on which we’re growing?
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, environmental sustainability in agriculture means stewardship of the natural systems and resources that are critical to farms. Among other things, this involves:
- Building and maintaining healthy soil
- Managing water wisely
- Minimizing air, water, and climate pollution
- Promoting biodiversity
Sustainability is a pillar of our mission at Newton Community Farm. Our sustainability efforts include minimal soil disruption, crop rotation, cover crops in the off-season, compost, and more. Our sustainable practices enable us to grow healthy food for our community season after season, while replenishing the land rather than depleting it.
Sustainable farming methods can be adapted in a myriad of ways to home gardening. Whether you’re interested in developing healthier soil in your growing space, reducing pesticide use, or creating more of a closed-loop system between your kitchen and your garden, here are some practices you can adopt.
