United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content





NRCS This Week mast head

Sustainable Agriculture 101

demonstrations at Nebraska farms, including this one where cattle graze standing corn during the pasture's "summer slump," highlighted livestock systems that reduce feeding costs. The systems also require less labor, lessen odor, flies and dust, and minimize manure concerns. (SARE photo by Wyatt Fraas — click to enlarge)

demonstrations at Nebraska farms, including this one where cattle graze standing corn during the pasture's "summer slump," highlighted livestock systems that reduce feeding costs. The systems also require less labor, lessen odor, flies and dust, and minimize manure concerns.   (SARE photo by Wyatt Fraas — click to enlarge)

For newcomers to NRCS and other agencies or organizations that serve farmers, SARE is offering a free, online course in sustainable agriculture concepts and principles.  The course provides a detailed introduction to sustainable agriculture and delves into what sustainable agriculture means for farmers, ranchers, and communities. Perhaps most important, it explains how sustainable concepts relate to the roles of educators as they try to improve farming and ranching systems in their areas.  Preview the course.

Called the National Continuing Education Program in Sustainable Agriculture, the course for agricultural professionals evolved from a 1994 congressional mandate requiring SARE to train new USDA educators in sustainable agriculture. The user-friendly, self-paced online course should help NRCS field staff:

▪ Work even more effectively with clients,
▪ Develop education programs that address agricultural sustainability,
▪ Adapt models that worked well for others into programming, and
▪ Earn continuing education credits (certified crop consultants only).

The course is presented in an interactive, Web-based format and includes a variety of activities, real-life examples and links to other sites offering information, resources, and assistance to help NRCS field staff in their work.

“Sustainable Agriculture: Basic Principles and Concept Overview” is the first course in a series that will cover:
▪ Agroecology,
▪ Strategic Planning and Marketing,
▪ Participatory Research and Education Skills, and
▪ Program Planning and Professional Development.
 

About SARE
Since 1988, SARE has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide grants program.  The program, administered by  CSREES and USDA, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems and natural resources.

SARE West Region SARE North Central Region SARE South Region SARE Northeast Region map of SARE regions

NRCS field office professionals frequently collaborate on SARE-funded projects and are valuable partners to the SARE program.  NRCS staff serve on SARE’s national Operations Committee, on regional Administrative Councils, on State committees and are actively engaged as technical advisers and collaborators on SARE-funded research grants around the U.S.

For more information, visit the SARE website or for more information about the regional SARE programs, click on the region area of the map below.
Your contact is Diana Friedman, SARE research associate, at 301-504-6422.