Nature-Based Solutions in Sustainable Agriculture

Download Nature-Based Solutions in Sustainable Agriculture PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Independently Published
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (346 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-Based Solutions in Sustainable Agriculture by : Robert C Brears

Download or read book Nature-Based Solutions in Sustainable Agriculture written by Robert C Brears and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2024-07-31 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the future of farming with "Nature-Based Solutions in Sustainable Agriculture: Innovative Practices for Soil Health, Water Management, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience." This comprehensive guide delves into the transformative power of nature-based solutions (NbS) in agriculture, offering a holistic approach to enhancing productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability. Explore in-depth topics such as soil health regeneration, efficient water management, biodiversity enhancement, and climate resilience. Learn about cutting-edge technological innovations and the latest research developments driving NbS adoption. Understand the crucial roles of policy support, economic incentives, and community engagement in scaling these sustainable practices. With actionable insights and practical strategies, this book is an invaluable resource for farmers, policymakers, researchers, and anyone dedicated to building a sustainable agricultural future. Join the movement towards a greener, more resilient world and harness the potential of nature-based solutions in agriculture.

Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Sustainable management and conservation of land, water and biodiversity

Download Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Sustainable management and conservation of land, water and biodiversity PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9251339074
Total Pages : 68 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (513 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Sustainable management and conservation of land, water and biodiversity by : Miralles-Wilhelm, F.

Download or read book Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Sustainable management and conservation of land, water and biodiversity written by Miralles-Wilhelm, F. and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2021-02-03 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, considerable progress has been made in the area of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that improve ecosystem functions of environments and landscapes affected by agricultural practices and land degradation, while enhancing livelihoods and other social and cultural functions. This has opened up a portfolio of NbS options that offer a pragmatic way forward for simultaneously addressing conservation, climate and socioeconomic objectives while maintaining healthy and productive agricultural systems. NbS can mimic natural processes and build on land restoration and operational water-land management concepts that aim to simultaneously improve vegetation and water availability and quality, and raise agricultural productivity. NbS can involve conserving or rehabilitating natural ecosystems and/or the enhancement or the creation of natural processes in modified or artificial ecosystems. In agricultural landscapes, NbS can be applied for soil health, soil moisture, carbon mitigation (through soil and forestry), downstream water quality protections, biodiversity benefits as well as agricultural production and supply chains to achieve net-zero environmental impacts while achieving food and water security, and meet climate goals.

Nature-Based Solutions for agricultural water management and food security

Download Nature-Based Solutions for agricultural water management and food security PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9251311250
Total Pages : 69 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (513 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-Based Solutions for agricultural water management and food security by : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Download or read book Nature-Based Solutions for agricultural water management and food security written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2019-03-14 with total page 69 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Accessibility to clean and sufficient water resources for agriculture is key in feeding the steadily increasing world population in a sustainable manner. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) offer a promising contribution to enhance availability and quality of water for productive purposes and human consumption, while simultaneously striving to preserve the integrity and intrinsic value of the ecosystems. Implementing successful NBS for water management, however, is not an easy task, since many ecosystems are already severely degraded and exploited beyond their regenerative capacity. Furthermore, ecosystems are large and complex and the many stakeholders involved may have conflicting interests. Hence, implementation of NBS requires a structured and comprehensive approach that starts with the valuation of the services provided by the ecosystem. The whole set of use and non-use values, in monetary terms, provides a factual basis to guide the implementation of NBS, which is ideally based on transdisciplinary principles, i.e. complemented with scientific and case-specific knowledge of the ecosystem in an adaptive decision-making process that involves the relevant stakeholders. This discussion paper evaluated twenty-one NBS case studies using a non-representative sample, to learn from successful and failed experiences and to identify possible causalities among factors that characterize the implementation of NBS. The case studies give a minor role to valuation of ecosystem services, an area for which the literature is still developing guidance. Less successful water management projects tend to suffer from inadequate factual and scientific basis and uncoordinated or insufficient stakeholder involvement and lack of long term planning. Successful case studies point to satisfactory understanding of the functioning of ecosystems and importance of multi-stakeholder platforms, well-identified funding schemes, realistic monitoring and evaluation systems and endurance of its promoters.

Hand in hand with nature – Nature-based Solutions for transformative agriculture

Download Hand in hand with nature – Nature-based Solutions for transformative agriculture PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9251344884
Total Pages : 56 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (513 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Hand in hand with nature – Nature-based Solutions for transformative agriculture by : Arnés García, M., Santivañez, T.

Download or read book Hand in hand with nature – Nature-based Solutions for transformative agriculture written by Arnés García, M., Santivañez, T. and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2021-07-05 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report seeks to provide the countries in the Europe and Central Asia region with an overview and real examples of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) applied to agriculture. This is FAO’s first attempt to present NBS applied to agriculture especially pointed at the countries of this region, prompting the scaling-up of these actions as solutions to brought ashore the transition towards resilience and sustainable agriculture. Nature-based Solution is a recent concept that has been rapidly embraced and promoted by international organizations, government bodies, scientific research, and social organizations to face current societal challenges. In agriculture, these solutions are supported by ecosystems functioning to provide food security and livelihoods. By doing so, natural resources and biodiversity are managed in such a way that they maintain their functions providing ecosystem services to the agro-ecosystem. Europe and Central Asia is a highly diverse region in which agri-food systems have had to adapt to severe and context-specific conditions. Therefore, it is also a treasure trove of NbS in agriculture, ingeniously developed and maintained by its local communities for centuries. By providing time-tested successful NbS examples coming from Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), this report encourages the recognition and identification of already existing NbS in the region as supportive actions that could be enhanced thanks to innovation and science. This way "Hand in Hand with nature: Nature-based solutions for transformative agriculture" supports ECA countries to manage natural resources sustainably while also coping with climate change and other threats to agri-food systems.

Achieving sustainable agricultural practices: From incentives to adoption and outcomes

Download Achieving sustainable agricultural practices: From incentives to adoption and outcomes PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Intl Food Policy Res Inst
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 4 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Achieving sustainable agricultural practices: From incentives to adoption and outcomes by : Piñeiro, Valeria

Download or read book Achieving sustainable agricultural practices: From incentives to adoption and outcomes written by Piñeiro, Valeria and published by Intl Food Policy Res Inst. This book was released on 2021-02-06 with total page 4 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sustainable agricultural practices enable more efficient use of natural resources, mitigate the impact of agriculture on the environment, and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change and climate variability. Because these practices usually require substantial effort or resource allocation from farmers, incentives are necessary to support farmer adoption. Despite growing interest, there has been little systematic evaluation of the incentives–adoption–outcome chain—that is, which incentives best promote adoption and which lead to desired sustainability outcomes. This brief presents the results of a literature review that examined (1) uptake agricultural practices under three kinds of incentives, market and nonmarket, regulations, and cross-compliance, and (2) the impact on productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. Based on this review, it offers a set of seven tested principles to follow in designing and implementing incentives for sustainable agriculture.

Sustainable Agriculture

Download Sustainable Agriculture PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 48 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (319 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Sustainable Agriculture by :

Download or read book Sustainable Agriculture written by and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Project design for securing investment

Download Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Project design for securing investment PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9251339090
Total Pages : 68 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (513 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Project design for securing investment by : Hallstein, E., Iseman, T.

Download or read book Nature-based solutions in agriculture: Project design for securing investment written by Hallstein, E., Iseman, T. and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2021-02-03 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today, the global food system drives a ten trillion-dollar economy that connects 7.5 billion consumers and a diverse array of more than 1 billion food producers (farmers, ranchers, pastoralists, and fish harvesters). Approximately one-half of the world’s habitable lands are used for agriculture (Ritchie, 2019). Not surprisingly, the food production system has a massive impact on our planet. As we look to the future, global food demand is set to increase 50%, including a 70% increase in protein demand by 2050 (OECD and FAO, 2018). Any solution to our challenges around climate, conservation and human well-being will need to involve a transition in the way we produce food and fiber. Agriculture can begin to use Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to reduce environmental impacts and, in some cases, enhance agricultural productivity. But in order to realize the full potential of Ag NbS to have a positive impact on these problems, we need new ways to fund them that are commensurate with the scale of the opportunities.

Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies

Download Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 9811547122
Total Pages : 474 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (115 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies by : Shalini Dhyani

Download or read book Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Ecosystems and Societies written by Shalini Dhyani and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-07-07 with total page 474 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the past few decades, the frequency and severity of natural and human-induced disasters have increased across Asia. These disasters lead to substantial loss of life, livelihoods and community assets, which not only threatens the pace of socio-economic development, but also undo hard-earned gains. Extreme events and disasters such as floods, droughts, heat, fire, cyclones and tidal surges are known to be exacerbated by environmental changes including climate change, land-use changes and natural resource degradation. Increasing climate variability and multi-dimensional vulnerabilities have severely affected the social, ecological and economic capacities of the people in the region who are, economically speaking, those with the least capacity to adapt. Climatic and other environmental hazards and anthropogenic risks, coupled with weak and wavering capacities, severely impact the ecosystems and Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) and, thereby, to human well-being. Long-term resilience building through disaster risk reduction and integrated adaptive climate planning, therefore, has become a key priority for scientists and policymakers alike. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a cost-effective approach that utilizes ecosystem and biodiversity services for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, while also providing a range of co-benefits like sustainable livelihoods and food, water and energy security. This book discusses the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – both as a science and as art – and elaborates on how it can be applied to develop healthy and resilient ecosystems locally, nationally, regionally and globally. The book covers illustrative methods and tools adopted for applying NbS in different countries. The authors discuss NbS applications and challenges, research trends and future insights that have wider regional and global relevance. The aspects covered include: landscape restoration, ecosystem-based adaptation, ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction, ecological restoration, ecosystem-based protected areas management, green infrastructure development, nature-friendly infrastructure development in various ecosystem types, agro-climatic zones and watersheds. The book offers insights into understanding the sustainable development goals (SDGs) at the grass roots level and can help indigenous and local communities harness ecosystem services to help achieve them. It offers a unique, essential resource for researchers, students, corporations, administrators and policymakers working in the fields of the environment, geography, development, policy planning, the natural sciences, life sciences, agriculture, health, climate change and disaster studies.

Sustainable Agricultural Development

Download Sustainable Agricultural Development PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9400705190
Total Pages : 297 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (7 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Sustainable Agricultural Development by : Mohamed Behnassi

Download or read book Sustainable Agricultural Development written by Mohamed Behnassi and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2011-02-09 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Due to many challenges (i.e. climate change, energy, water and land shortage, high demands on food, land grabbing, etc.), agriculture production potential is expected to be seriously affected; thus, increasing food insecurity and hunger in many already affected regions (especially in Africa). In this context, sustainable agriculture is highly recommended as an eco-system approach where soil, water, plants, environment and living organisms live in harmony. Innovative technologies and research should be developed to ensure sustainable agriculture and productivity using modern irrigation systems, improved varieties, improved soil quality, etc. In the meantime, the preservation of natural environment should be based on resource conservation technologies and best management practices. Sustainable Agricultural Development, not only raises the serious ethical and social issues underlying these huge environmental problems, but also aims at presenting successful experiences from all over the world in relation with sustainable farming, sustainable management of water and land resources, and innovative processes in livestock production. It also aims at providing inputs to decision making processes and encouraging the transfer of relevant know-how, technologies and expertise to different countries where similar agro-climatic conditions may exist; thus saving precious resources and promoting sustainable agricultural development as a relevant approach to tackle the food security challenge. Finally, this book focuses on the paradigmatic and policy dimensions and call for an innovative approach by analyzing the key themes in a complex and interrelated manner.

Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas

Download Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer
ISBN 13 : 3319560913
Total Pages : 337 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (195 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas by : Nadja Kabisch

Download or read book Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas written by Nadja Kabisch and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-09-01 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book brings together research findings and experiences from science, policy and practice to highlight and debate the importance of nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation in urban areas. Emphasis is given to the potential of nature-based approaches to create multiple-benefits for society. The expert contributions present recommendations for creating synergies between ongoing policy processes, scientific programmes and practical implementation of climate change and nature conservation measures in global urban areas. Except where otherwise noted, this book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Nature-based solutions in agriculture: The case and pathway for adoption

Download Nature-based solutions in agriculture: The case and pathway for adoption PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN 13 : 9251339082
Total Pages : 53 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (513 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-based solutions in agriculture: The case and pathway for adoption by : ​Iseman, T., Miralles-Wilhelm, F.

Download or read book Nature-based solutions in agriculture: The case and pathway for adoption written by ​Iseman, T., Miralles-Wilhelm, F. and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2021-02-03 with total page 53 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Food system demands have increased exponentially in recent decades and are estimated to continue growing as global populations increase and economic affluence expands. However, the very foundation of a productive system – healthy lands and soils and clean water supply – is already under immense pressure. In fact, by the most credible estimates, up to 52% of global agricultural lands are now moderately to severely degraded, with millions of hectares per year degrading to the point they are abandoned by the land manager. The loss of productive land, coupled with increased food demand, pushes agriculture to be the primary driver in 80% of native habitat loss. Agricultural irrigation is driving the majority of water scarcity issues in high-risk basins threatening food systems, community water supplies and ecosystem health. These pressures have resulted in the global agriculture sector driving more biodiversity loss, destruction of natural habitat, soil degradation and depletion of natural resources around the world than any other industry.

Farming with Nature

Download Farming with Nature PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Island Press
ISBN 13 : 1597267570
Total Pages : 468 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (972 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Farming with Nature by : Sara J. Scherr

Download or read book Farming with Nature written by Sara J. Scherr and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2012-09-26 with total page 468 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A growing body of evidence shows that agricultural landscapes can be managed not only to produce crops but also to support biodiversity and promote ecosystem health. Innovative farmers and scientists, as well as indigenous land managers, are developing diverse types of “ecoagriculture” landscapes to generate cobenefits for production, biodiversity, and local people. Farming with Nature offers a synthesis of the state of knowledge of key topics in ecoagriculture. The book is a unique collaboration among renowned agricultural and ecological scientists, leading field conservationists, and farm and community leaders to synthesize knowledge and experience across sectors. The book examines: the knowledge base for ecoagriculture as well as barriers, gaps, and opportunities for developing improved ecoagriculture systems what we have learned about managing landscapes to achieve multiple objectives at a landscape scale existing incentives for farmers, other land managers, and investors to develop and invest in ecoagriculture systems pathways to develop, implement, manage, and scale up successful ecoagriculture Insights are drawn from around the world, in tropical, Mediterranean, and temperate environments, from farming systems that range from highly commercialized to semi-subsistence. Farming with Nature is an important new work that can serve as a foundation document for planners, farm organizations, researchers, project developers, and policy makers to develop strategies for promoting and sustaining ecoagriculture landscapes. Replete with valuable best practice guidelines, it is a critical resource for both practitioners and researchers in the field.

An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Agriculture

Download An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Agriculture PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9400767900
Total Pages : 262 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (7 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Agriculture by : Carl F. Jordan

Download or read book An Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Agriculture written by Carl F. Jordan and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-05-17 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Modern industrial agriculture is not sustainable because of its heavy reliance on petroleum, a non-renewable source of the energy used in farming, and because of pollution caused by petroleum products such as fertilizers and pesticides. A systems analysis of farming suggests that agriculture will be more sustainable when services of nature, such as nutrient recycling by soil micro-organisms and natural controls of insects, replace the services now provided by energy from petroleum. Examples are drawn from the Southeastern USA, but lessons learned can be applied worldwide.

Sustainable Intensification

Download Sustainable Intensification PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1136529276
Total Pages : 292 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (365 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Sustainable Intensification by : Jules N. Pretty

Download or read book Sustainable Intensification written by Jules N. Pretty and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2012-06-25 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.

Nature-Based Solutions and Water Security

Download Nature-Based Solutions and Water Security PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : Elsevier
ISBN 13 : 0128198710
Total Pages : 496 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (281 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Nature-Based Solutions and Water Security by : Jan Cassin

Download or read book Nature-Based Solutions and Water Security written by Jan Cassin and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2021-07-23 with total page 496 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nature-Based Solutions and Water Security: An Action Agenda for the 21st Century presents an action agenda for natural infrastructure on topics of standards and principles, technical evaluation and design tools, capacity building and innovative finance. Chapters introduce the topic and concepts of natural infrastructure, or nature-based solutions (NBS) and water security, with important background on the urgency of the global water crisis and the role that NBS can, and should play, in addressing this crisis. Sections also present the community of practice's collective thinking on a prioritized action agenda to guide more rapid progress in mainstreaming NBS. With contributions from global authors, including key individuals and organizations active in developing NBS solutions, users will also find important conclusions and recommendations, thus presenting a collaboratively developed, consensus roadmap to scaling NBS. Covers all issues of water security and natural infrastructures Presents a comprehensive state of synthesis, providing readers with a solid grounding in the field of natural infrastructures and water security Includes a fully workable and intuitive roadmap for action that is presented as a guide to the most important actions for practitioners, research questions for academics, and information on promising careers for students entering the field

The United Nations world water development report 2018

Download The United Nations world water development report 2018 PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : UNESCO Publishing
ISBN 13 : 9231002643
Total Pages : 154 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (31 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis The United Nations world water development report 2018 by : WWAP

Download or read book The United Nations world water development report 2018 written by WWAP and published by UNESCO Publishing. This book was released on 2018-03-26 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education in the Field

Download Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education in the Field PDF Online Free

Author :
Publisher : National Academies Press
ISBN 13 : 0309045789
Total Pages : 456 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (9 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!


Book Synopsis Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education in the Field by : National Research Council

Download or read book Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education in the Field written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1991-02-01 with total page 456 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Interest is growing in sustainable agriculture, which involves the use of productive and profitable farming practices that take advantage of natural biological processes to conserve resources, reduce inputs, protect the environment, and enhance public health. Continuing research is helping to demonstrate the ways that many factorsâ€"economics, biology, policy, and traditionâ€"interact in sustainable agriculture systems. This book contains the proceedings of a workshop on the findings of a broad range of research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The areas of study, such as integrated pest management, alternative cropping and tillage systems, and comparisons with more conventional approaches, are essential to developing and adopting profitable and sustainable farming systems.