Farmers’ livelihoods, their ability to feed a growing population and the legacy they can pass on to the next generation all depend on taking care of the land and using natural resources sustainably.

Sustainability is an ambiguous, qualitative term that has as many meanings as people with opinions on the topic. How we define sustainability and what it means to feed our exploding population in a sustainable manner are points of significant debate.

Ongoing Discussions

As part of its policy work, NAWG follows conversations about sustainability as they relate to farms and the food system and works to ensure the producer voice is represented in these discussions. A third- or fourth-generation farmer’s idea of sustainable practices might be very different than that of a city dweller far removed from the farm. Bridging the knowledge gap is an important part of these discussions.

Field to Market

NAWG has joined producer representatives, conservation groups, members of academia and others in the Field to Market coalition organized through the non-profit Keystone Center. This coalition has the goal of defining, measuring and documenting changes in sustainability over time. This information will allow agriculture to both better tell its story about gains that have already been made and set priorities for next steps. Through these efforts, agriculture will be better able to strike a long-term balance between environmental concerns, natural resource concerns and feeding an estimated nine billion people by the year 2050.

Field Print Calculator

NAWG and the Field to Market coalition are seeking grower feedback on a new online calculator meant to help producers assess how some of their operational decisions affect natural resource management and sustainability.

The calculator is intended to provide an easy way for growers to assess their use of land, energy and water, greenhouse gas emissions and soil loss and explore various scenarios that may help further improve their use of natural resources. Future versions will also include functions to assess efficiency and financial return.

Growers of wheat and other commodities now have access to the free, confidential tool at www.fieldtomarket.org, and can provide feedback there or directly to the NAWG office by e-mailing wheatworld@wheatworld.org.