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There are probably as many different definitions of sustainable farming as there are people considering the subject. At a time when turmoil in the world seems to be spiraling (global politics, global climate, religious intolerance, and a preoccupation with self indulgence escalating world-wide demand for resources amongst limited supplies …) the concept of sustainability goes far beyond farming. But we eat an elephant only one bite at a time. In the midsts of the unique and striking environment of these beautiful Finger Lakes, how do we preserve the future?

A local group of educators, with assistance from the Finger Lakes Resource Conservation and Development Council has begun their first course in an extremely big meal – That is the sustainability of farming, resources, and community. This ‘meal’ is being pursued through the Finger Lakes Sustainable Farming Center. The center is an educational and applied research entity managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) in Ontario, Yates, and Seneca Counties. It has been established with a 3-year grant totaling more than $80,000 from the Director's Office of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Ithaca, NY. This is just the first step in a regional effort for the long term care of an extremely pleasant place we call home.

Sustainable agriculture is a system of cultivating land, harvesting and selling farm products, while enhancing wise rural land development in concert with community interests and environmental protection. Farms in the Finger Lakes region already practice good resource stewardship in the face of intense residential land development. Increased sustainability of local farms will protect water quality in the Finger Lakes, maintain the area's unique agriculture resources and tightly-knit communities, and provide a dependable local food system for nearby cities like Rochester and Syracuse.

The Finger Lakes Sustainable Farming Center will be a good resource for farm owners and anyone interested in agricultural issues. It will network Cornell University faculty, CCE agriculture and natural resources specialists, other collaborating organizations that are committed to developing sustainable principles, along with farmers in the region utilizing cultural practices contributing to the preservation of the future.

Six areas of concentration will include a farmer knowledge base, an online library of information, communications to residents and visitors, conferences, support for progressive farmland preservation, and geographic information system (GIS) applications around soil resources. Anyone with an interest can contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County at (585) 394-3977, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County at (315) 536 5123, or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Seneca County at (315) 539 2784.

What does sustainable farming mean to YOU? In a nut shell, it’s all about the ability to meet our needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. ‘In a nut shell’, what does it mean to YOUR children and their children’s children?

 
Ontario Seneca Yates