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74 Cards in this Set
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Agrarianism |
A social or political movement designed to bring about land reforms or to improve the economic status of the farmer |
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Agroecology |
often incorporates ideas about a more environmentally and socially sensitive approach to agriculture, one that focuses on production and ecological sustainability of the productive system |
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antibiotic free |
animals that have been raised without the use of antibiotics |
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alternative farming/alternative agriculture |
synonymous terms encompassing a vast array of practices and enterprises, all of which are considered different from prevailing or conventional agricultural activies a. non-traditional crops, livestock, and other farm products |
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Best Management Practices (BMPs) |
developed and implemented as a requirement of the 1977 amendments to the Clean Water Act. They are soil conservation practices that also provide water quality benefits. They include such practices as cover crops, green manure crops, and stripcropping to control erosion; and soil testing and targeting and timing of chemical applications (similar to IPM) to prevent the loss of nutrients and pesticides. District soil conservation agents use BMPs in helping individual farmers develop conservation plans for their farms |
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Biodegradable |
A material that can be decomposed in nature within a relatively short period of time |
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Biodiversity |
The sum total of all the plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms in the world, or in a particular area; all of their individual variation; and all the interactions between them |
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Biodynamic Agriculture/Biodynamic Farming |
Both a concept and a practice, biodynamics "owes its origin to the spiritual insights and perceptions of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher and scientist from the turn of the century. Dr. Steiner emphasized many of the forces within living nature, identifying many of these factors and describing specific practices and preparations that enable the farmer or gardener to work in concert with these parameters. "Central to the biodynamic method...are certain herbal preparations that guide the decomposition processes in manures and compost |
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Biological farming/ecological farming |
terms commonly used in Europe and developing countries. It is a system of crop production in which the producer tries to minimize the use of chemicals for control of crop pests |
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Biotechnology |
Although farmers have been practicing biotechnology in the broadest sense (plant and animal breeding to achieve certain traits) for thousands of ears, it is the recent breaking of the genetic code that has pushed this science into a new era altogether |
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Genetic engineering |
differs significantly from traditional biotechnological techniques in that DNA from different species can be combined to create completely new organisms (GMOs) |
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Cage free |
Birds not confined to cages. Generally this means that the birds live on the floor of a large barn |
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Carbon footprint |
It measure total amount of greenhouse gas emissions released into the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions from all sources are summed up and changed into units of CO2 equivalent which is used to standardize greenhouse gas emissions and help make comparisons from different time periods and across industries. Carbon emissions are usually measured in metric tones per year (1 metric ton equals 2204 lbs) |
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Carbon sequestration |
The process through which agricultural and forestry practices remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The term 'sinks' is also used to describe agricultural and forestry lands that absorb CO2, the most important global warming gas emitted by human activities. Agricultural and forestry practices can also release CO2 and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Sequestration activities can help prevent global climate change by enhancing carbon storage in trees and soils, preserving existing tree and soil carbon, and by reducing emissionsof CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) |
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Community Supported Agriculture |
community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or "share-holders" of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. in return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in foood production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing. |
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Compost |
the relatively stable humus material that is produced when bacteria in soil mixes with degradable trash and garbage to break down the mixture into organic fertilizer |
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Conservation Buffer strips |
areas or strips of land maintained in permanent vegetation, designed to intercept pollutants and erosion. Placed around fields, they can enhance wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and enrich aesthetics on farmlands. Various types of buffers include Contour Buffer Strips, Filter strips, riparian forest buffers, field borders, windbreaks/shelterbelts, hedgerows, grassed waterways, and alley cropping |
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conservation tillage |
a broad range of soil tillage systems that leave residue cover on the soil surface, substantially reducing the effects of soil erosion from wind and water. These practices minimize nutrient loss, decreased water storage capacity, crop damage and decreased farmability |
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cradle-to-cradle |
design protocol that supports the elimination of waste by recycling materials or products into new similar products at the end of its intended life, instead of disposing of it |
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design for the environment (DfE) |
design concept that focuses on reducing environmental and human health impacts by thoughtful design and careful material selection |
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Ecological deficit |
the amount by which the ecological footprint of a population exceeds the biological capacity of the space available to that population
The national ecological deficit measures the amount by which the country's footprint (plus the country's share of biodiversity responsibility) exceeds the ecological capacity of that nation |
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Ecological footprint |
a measure of how much productive land and water an individual, a city, a country, or humanity requires to produce all the resources it consumes and to absorb all the waste it generates |
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Ecosystem |
The natural interacting system of living and non-living things of the environment |
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Emission |
Any gas, particle, or vapor release into the environment from a commercial, industrial, or residential source including smokestacks, chimneys, and motor vehicles |
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Embodied energy |
the energy used during its entire life cycle for manufacturing, transporting, using and disposing |
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Environmental impact
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any change that would affect the environment
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Environmental responsibility
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USDA- the responsible and ethical management of products and processes from the point of view of health, safety, and environmental aspects
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fair trade
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certification that empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities; includes fair prices, fair labor conditions, direct trade, democratic and transparent organizations
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farm cooperative
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a business whose membership is limited to persons producing agricultural products that are marketed by the co-op
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Free range
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the method of farming husbandry where the animals are permitted to roam freely instead of being contained in any manner
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Good agricultural practices (GAP)
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applying available knowledge to addressing environmental, economic and social sustainability dimensions for on-farm production and post-production processes; result: safe agricultural products
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Grass finished
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cow has been grown fast enough on the pasture to create inter-muscular marbling, grass finishing provides bulk
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Green energy
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environment friendly power and energy that comes from renewable and non-polluting energy sources; solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass
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greenhouse effect
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global warming attributed to a buildup of carbon dioxide or other gases
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Greenhouse gas
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any gas including CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide that contributes to the greenhouse effect
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Hydroponics
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growing of plants in water containing dissolved nutrients. Useful for off-season production
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Industrial waste
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undesired materials created from an industrial operation; liquid, sludge, solid, hazardous waste
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Integrated pest management (IPM)
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ecologically based approach to pest control that relies on natural mortality factors, such as natural enemies, weather, and crop management
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Local/Community Food system
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collaborative effort to integrate agricultural production with food distribution to enhance the economic, environmental, and social well-being of a particular place (neighborhood, city, county or region)
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Food miles
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distance food travels from where it is grown or raised to where it is ultimately purchased by the consumer or end-user
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Natural foods
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generally refers to food or food products which are minimally processed and remain as close as possible to their whole, original state
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Life cycle assessment
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process of analysis from raw materials extraction through manufacturing, delivery, use, and disposal or reuse of a product's entire life
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Organic farming
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a production system that completely or mostly excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, or growth regulators.
Farmers emphasis the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations |
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100% organic
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may use the USDA organic seal
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Organic
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at least 95% of content is organic by weight
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Made with organic
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at least 70% of content is organic; cannot carry organic USDA seal
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Overshoot
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when human demand exceeds nature's supply
William Catton: growth beyond an area's carrying capacity, leading to crash |
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Recyclable content
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materials that can be recovered or diverted for recycling or reuse from the waste stream
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Recycled content
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refers to the percentage or weight of recycled materials in a product
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rBGH (bBST) Free Milk
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recombinant bovine growth hormone; genetically engineered and injected into cows to increase milk production
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Strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
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strengthen the role of environmental issues in strategic decision-making
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Sustainability |
meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs |
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Sustainabile Seafood |
from sources, either fished or farmed, that can maintain or increase production into the long-term without jeopardizing the affected ecosystems |
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Transfair USA |
a non-profit organization and only 3rd party certifier of fair trade products in the U.S. and one of 20 members of the Fairtrade Labeling Organization International (FLO) |
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Toxic |
any material or waste product that can endanger the environment or produce injury and/or loss of life if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin |
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Waste factor |
the ratio between the quantity of prime resource compared to the quantity of output |
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Green Building |
designing and building structures that are environmentally sound and follow the tenets of sustainability. The practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition |
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Green Cleaning |
products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose |
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Green Seal |
independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase and use of environmentally products and services |
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The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) |
Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Various certifications include Existing Buildings (EB), New Construction (NC), Commercial Interiors (CI), and Core & Shell (CS). |
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Biodegradable |
capable of being decomposed or broken down by natural biological processes - living microorganisms like bacteria/fungi- into more stable organic compounds |
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Closed Loop Recycling |
making an old product into the same thing again; ex: old aluminum cans into new aluminum cans |
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Composting |
process whereby organic wastes, including food waste, paper, and yard waste, decompose naturally, resulting in a product rich in minerals and ideal for gardening and farming as soil conditioners, mulch, resurfacing material, or landfill cover |
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Post Consumer Waste |
waste collected after the consumer has used and disposed of it; example: wrapper from a candy bar |
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Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) |
a program or policy that helps institutions make decisions regarding environmentally friendly products and services |
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PLA products |
Polyactide (PLA) is made from corn. The corn is fermented and distilled into lactic acid and then transformed into Natureworks PLA which is then formed into packaging, serviceware and consumer products - using ~2/3 less fossil fuels as compared to traditional plastic |
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Gray Water |
domestic wastewater composed of wash water from kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks and tubs, clothes washers, and laundry tubs that can be used for non-potable purposes such as irrigation |
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Renewable Energy Certificate (Green Tags or Renewable Energy Credits) |
a certificate that represents a unit of renewable electricity generated that can be used to verify the fulfillment of an obligation to source a certain percentage of renewable generation. Trading may be allowed so that companies that under-achieve their obligation can buy certificates from those who have over-achieved |
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Renewable Energy |
energy resources such as wind power or solar energy that can keep producing indefinitely without being depleted |
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Water harvesting |
the capture and use of runoff from rainfall |
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Biodiesel |
a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil B10 Fuel: 10% biodiesel + 90% diesel fuel B100 Fuel: 100% biodiesel |
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Ethanol 85 |
blend of 85% alcohol and 15% unleaded gasolina. Ethanol is alcohol that may be produced from an agricultural foodstock such as corn, sugarcane or wood |
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FlexFuel |
vehicles designed to run on either gasoline or a blend of up to 85% ethanol (E85) |
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Hybrid |
a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle such as an on-board energy storage system (batteries) and a fuel source (gasoline) for vehicle propulsion |
