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Unit 3: Partnerships and Resources for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

INFORMATION RESOURCES

As highlighted on the previous page in the list of core principles, improving the sustainability of farms and ranches is an information-intensive effort encompassing farm/ranch production techniques, environment and ecosystem knowledge, economics and marketing data, and awareness of community and society issues. As researchers and educators, we need to bring this entire body of knowledge to bear when working with farmers and ranchers. How is that possible?  It can be a daunting task for many of us who have been trained along disciplinary lines (animal science, agricultural economics, agronomy, horticulture, etc.) or with commodity-based assignments (e.g., beef cattle, dairy, forages, vegetable crops, fruits, etc.)

Fortunately, there is an expanding sustainable agriculture information network that can help fill in the gaps. Two of the key programs providing sustainable agriculture information on a national level are highlighted in the following pages: SARE and ATTRA. These organizations have been in the sustainable agriculture information business for over two decades.  But they also go further, helping you to transform that information into knowledge that can help you in your work with farmers, ranchers and communities.