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Unit 1: Conceptual Framework and Historical Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture

If you answered 1976, you are correct. In that year, the term sustainable agriculture appeared in the proceedings of an international conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). The term "sustainable agriculture” encompasses all types of farming and ranching, however, some of the initial discussion and debate involving the use of the term occurred amongst those involved in organic farming.

By the 1980s growers, nonprofit organizations, land-grant universities, and government agencies were all taking a closer look at our food and farming system, assessing the problems it was facing, and considering how agriculture in the U.S. could best be strengthened for the long term.