Sustainability

Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the ability to maintain a certain process or state. It is now most frequently used in connection with biological and human systems. Sustainability speaks to the very core of agriculture, as Arizona and California’s farmers are the preeminent stewards of natural resources. Sustainability is being discussed as a tenant for legislation, a requirement from agriculture’s buying partners and recognized as a buzzword in the media.

The U.S. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 declared as its goal a national policy to "create and maintain conditions under which [humans] and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans."

The most widely quoted definition internationally is the "Brundtland definition" of the 1987 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development – that sustainability means "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

But what does sustainability mean for agriculture? After all, growers already know that it is paramount to be good stewards of the environment, provide quality conditions for their workforce and remain profitable in order to maintain operations and pass them along to the next generation. This is the very nature of agriculture, and Western Growers aims to build on this mindset.

Western Growers has been at the forefront of “sustainability,” as a movement within agriculture, ensuring members can increase Profits while ensuring proper stewardship of the Planet all the while providing a positive environment for the People who make this industry move.

Western Growers believes there are three fundamental legs to the sustainability stool, and all three – the Planet, People and Profitability — must be maintained in order for a sustainability program to … well … sustain itself.

Upcoming Training/Seminars

Sustainable Agricultural Partnerships Summit

Date: August 10-11, 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
For more information, click here