A U.S. farm policy shift to joint production of commodities and ecological services will advance sustainable agriculture.

This study quantified the uptake of five antibiotics (chlortetracycline, monensin, sulfamethazine, tylosin, and virginiamycin) by 11 vegetable crops in two different soils that were fertilized with raw versus composted turkey and hog manures or inorganic fertilizer. Almost all vegetables showed some uptake of antibiotics from manure treatments. However, statistical testing showed that except for a few isolated treatments the concentrations of all antibiotics in vegetable tissues were generally less than the limits of quantification. Further testing of the significant treatments showed that antibiotic concentrations in vegetables from many of these treatments were not significantly different than the corresponding concentrations from the fertilizer treatment (matrix effect). All five antibiotic concentrations in the studied vegetables were <10 μg kg(-1). On the basis of the standards for maximum residue levels in animal tissues and suggested maximum daily intake based on body weight, this concentration would not pose any health risk unless one is allergic to that particular antibiotic.

BACKGROUND: A preliminary study was undertaken to compare the prevalence of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) on turkey farms using either antibiotics sub-therapeutically (AU) or no antibiotics (NAU). Samples of manure, soil, and dog feces were collected from seven AU and six NAU farms.

As urbanization increases, the potential for conflict between urban and agricultural interests grows. In Salem, OR, a 1989 Audubon Society report expressed concerns about pesticide use on agricultural lands that were part of Minto-Brown Island Park. The report recommended that the city of Salem ban the use of pesticides known to cause health or environmental damage. R.G. Andersen-Wyckoff, president of the Salem Parks Advisory Board, felt the issue could turn into a divisive conflict between farming and nonfarming interests in the Salem community. This case presents Andersen-Wyckoff's dilemma as he decided what action to take to alleviate tensions between environmental and agricultural concerns. By working through this case, students consider and discuss varying perceptions about pesticide use by farmers while evaluating data concerning pesticides. In addition to enhanced awareness of pesticides and controversy surrounding their use, students also gain appreciation of the need for improved communication between agricultural and nonagricultural interests.

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Research and extension personnel are beginning to look for new strategies to involve more farmers and the non-farm public in their programs. Two approaches we have used are wholefarm case studies (WFCS) and focus groups. WFCS in Oregon and Washington led to several research and educational programming ideas that are currently being pursued in both states. A focus group to study water quality, nitrate leaching and farming practices in Skagit County, Washington is one outcome of the WFCS process. It is made up of 16 people, including farmers, university personnel, members of environmental groups, and government representatives.We review these two complementary participatory strategies for systems-oriented sustainable agriculture research and education programs. Both have been very useful for building problem-solving partnerships between the land-grant universities and agricultural and environmental constituents in our area. Noteworthy outcomes include: complementary applied on-farm and experiment station research; farming systems analysis; public education; new linkages with environmental and agricultural interest groups; additional grant funds to address identified priority issues; and interdisciplinary teams that cut across the biological and social sciences and include diverse citizen representation.

The sustainability of agriculture is of great concern and controversy, but there is little information on operational measurements and definitions of sustainability. This article examines the implications of defining and measuring agricultural sustainability. Two sets of variables were used to indicate sustainability: (i) changes in agricultural chemical use, and (ii) use of alternative production practices. Factor analysis revealed that it would be inappropriate to construct a single sustainability scale that included both sets of variables. Two separate scales were constructed. The types of producers viewed as “sustainable” on each scale had very different characteristics. On the scale that examined changes in agricultural chemical use, producers in the sample reporting zero or declining use tended to have smaller farms, lower investments in machinery, and lower gross and net incomes than producers at the other end of this scale. The use of alternative practices, reflected in the second scale, showed that producers using a greater number of alternative management practices had larger farms, more investment in machinery, and larger gross and net incomes than producers at the other end of this scale. Producers classified as sustainable on either of the two scales differed little from other producers with regard to economic impacts on the community, organizational involvement, or attitudes about farming. In general, more useful comparisons were made among producers classified by structural variables such as farm size and principal occupation of operator. These findings suggest that policies should take into account the structural factors that influence the adoption of sustainable practices. Research Question The sustainability of agricultural resources is a topic of great concern and controversy. The debate is further complicated by the lack of agreement on operational measurements and definitions of sustainability. Using a sample of western Oregon and Washington horticultural producers, this research examines the implications of defining and categorizing horticultural producers on a sustainability scale. The working hypothesis that motivated the present study was the belief that a single scale could be constructed that would measure the level of sustainability of horticultural producers in western Oregon and Washington. Literature Summary The literature includes widely varying definitions of sustainability. Some researchers have linked it closely to a reduction of agricultural chemical use. Others measure sustainability based on the degree of reliance on internal resources such as management and labor. Attempts to categorize producers on the basis of their production approaches have had mixed results. Evidence is mounting to suggest that the development of a single sustainability scale that suits all types of farming systems is not feasible. Study Description Data for the comparisons were collected during two telephone interviews with the same sample of 385 western Oregon and Washington horticultural producers. T...

Different methods of communication between farmers and scientists provide different outcomes. Farmer-scientist focus sessions represent a means of facilitating a process of collaborative learning and problem solving. All participants are encouraged to exchange information and ideas. Focus sessions can be an important tool in providing ideas for action, identifying researchable topics, and enhancing longterm farmer-scientist team work. Three examples are described that illustrate the types of issues treated, the format, and the outcomes achieved.Abbreviations: FSFS, farmerscientist focus sessions; USEPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.