Linking People, Purpose, and Place: An Ecosystem Approach to Agriculture addresses the components of a trinity whose disintegration has led to many of our current problems in agriculture and whose reintegration offers a path toward a truly sustainable agriculture. In an era of increasing globalization of food systems and dominance by multinational corporations, we often forget that the purpose of agriculture is to feed and clothe people while protecting the environment and that agriculture ultimately is pursued in a particular place. The place is a landscape or region with a unique combination of soils, climate, farming systems, people, infrastructure, and social organization. Together they form an agroecosystem or agroecoregion. By recognizing and working with the structures and processes that confer sustainability on the ecosystems that underlie our farming systems, we can effectively match our purpose to each place to achieve a lasting agriculture.

This handbook contains specific examples of some management practices that can be used to incorporate beneficial ecological functions into farming systems. For instance, guidance is provided for designing grazing rotations to maximize forage production and applying cultural practices to limit weeds and pests. The handbook also identifies many other sources of information that can be accessed as needed. Indicative of the times, many of these are on-line.

Equally important, the materials convey both a process and an attitude. The process is that of looking at natural systems for guidance on how to farm more efficiently and profitably. This approach is something we can all learn to do and without expensive equipment. As one author states, "If you want to measure the health of your soil, just dig a hole!" The attitude is that farmers, consumers, retailers, and all members of the food system are also part of an ecosystem and that an understanding of our connections to all the components is essential to our continued well-being.

To farm and live sustainably requires that each of us be receptive to the lessons that nature teaches and share these lessons with others. To achieve healthy watersheds, well-nourished populations, and vibrant communities requires that each of us demonstrate leadership toward these goals within our communities and accept responsibility for our actions as they relate to these goals. We hope that these materials will help you to do so.

REPORT SECTIONS:

• Linking Ecology and Agriculture
• Whole Farm Planning
• Soil Quality
• Agroforestry
• Grazing Systems
• Weed and Insect Management
• Farmer Groups
• Farmland Conversion
• Resources and Information Sources