Sustainability #1 - Defining it

Transcript of the video audio (in other words, here's the text version of everything I said in the video)

Sustainability. It’s a big buzz word now and everyone wants it, including myself. Now how does a farm know if they’re really being sustainable? There isn’t a line in the sand saying what is sustainable versus what isn’t, so how do they know?

Well the definition is “to be sustained, to endure, to last a long time.” Let’s remember that there’s a difference between sustainable and self-sustainable.

Our farm – my husband and his father – run 1,400 acres of crops. By today’s definition, that really isn’t a cool farm.  We don’t do niche products or direct marketing. We don’t even have animals on our farm. However, we strive to be sustainable and we’re proud of what we do and how we do it.  

By that base definition of sustainability – to endure and last a long time – our farm is sustainable. We actually have the original deed from 1912 – over 100 years ago – when my husband’s great, great grandfather, Andrew Nelson, bought the original 80 acres of the farm for $7,000 total. So my husband is the fifth generation stepping into the farm.

That’s a long time. There’s a lot to be said for that. When you look at American agriculture and the security of our food supply, we’re proud to be part of that backbone. When we can go to the grocery store and have the luxury of so many options and that fit within a family’s budget. We’re proud to be part of that.

So when you go to the grocery store, be thankful for even the common, ordinary food choices.

Thanks for your support!  And stay tuned for some more video messages focusing on the three measures of sustainability – environmental, economic and social. Thank you!