Transition to Responsible Farming

Sustainable farming is an all-encompassing concept that combines economics, environmental stewardship, and community participation. In simple terms, it is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, provides a fair wage to farmers, and supports and enhances communities.

Socially Responsible

Though few agree on an exact definition we believe an agricultural business that is Socially Responsible is one that:

Recognizes its rights end where another’s begin
Accounts for and pays all its production costs, rather than shifting them to others (neighbor, local or national government)
Does not act to subvert or evade efforts to protect the environment
Becomes a partner to the community in which it does business

To illustrate how important this concept has become world-wide, the Internation Organization for Standardization (ISO) is developing an international standard known as ISO 26000. Due for publication in 2010, the standard is intended to be a guide for dialog and action, not for certification.

Resources

Farm to fork: Appetite for sustainable farming grows

Not to be confused with the term ”organic”, sustainable means Eco-friendly farming techniques that not only provide healthy food alternatives in the market, but are economically and environmentally sustainable. (CBC News, October 2007.)