Alternative Agriculture

During the past year, alternative agriculture has suddenly become topical. Farmers practicing alternative agriculture are still a small minority in the overall farm community. But their farming methods, which among other things are aimed at improving profits, limiting dependence on agricultural chemicals, and increasing use of environmentally friendly procedures, are attracting more attention and a growing number of adherents. Hard data on the productivity of alternative farming compared with conventional techniques are still sketchy at best, although many practitioners seem to be operating quite successfully. And in their success lies the potential for significant impact on markets for fertilizers and pesticides. When the National Research Council (NRC) published its report "Alternative Agriculture" last September, stories appeared on the front pages of newspapers across the country. Within an hour of the report's release, Charles E. Hess, the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) assistant secretary of science and education, called it "of unparalleled significance." And within a few ...