Alternative Agriculture

More and more farmers are adopting a diverse range of alternative practices designed to reduce dependence on synthetic chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and antibiotics; cut costs; increase profits; and reduce the adverse environmental consequences of agricultural production.

Alternative Agriculture describes the increased use of these new practices and other changes in agriculture since World War II, and examines the role of federal policy in encouraging this evolution, as well as factors that are causing farmers to look for profitable, environmentally safe alternatives. Eleven case studies explore how alternative farming methods have been adopted―and with what economic results―on farms of various sizes from California to Pennsylvania.

This volume includes 11 case studies that describe in detail the practices and performance of alternative farming systems in the United States. Case studies range from rice production in California to a mixed crop and livestock farm in southwest Iowa to a fresh-market vegetable production in Florida.