A Decision Support System for Sustainable Farming

U.S. farmers are faced with growing environmental concerns and rising costs associated with highly specialized farming operations. They are searching for farming systems that are both ecologically sound and economically viable. They are searching for sustainable systems of farming, Many farmers are motivated by perceived risks that inputs upon which they depend today may not be available, may not be effective, or may cost much more in the future. Some are motivated by a desire to conserve and protect the long-run productivity of their resource base. Others realize the ultimate necessity of responding to social concerns regarding potential negative impacts of agriculture on the environment. The current search for sustainability is centered on helping farmers develop more ecologically sound and economically viable farming systems with existing technology while searching for even more sustainable and profitable alternatives for the future. The emphasis is on substituting reliance on management of internal farm resources, particularly land and labor, for reliance on external inputs, particularly chemical pesticides and commercial fertilizers. More efficient use of inputs may improve both the economic and ecologic aspects of conventional farming systems. However, more diversified systems of farming may be required for long-run sustainability. Diversified farmers traditionally have utilized crop rotations to control pests, conserve soil, and maintain productivity. Integrated cropping and livestock systems have been used to reduce feed costs, recycle waste, and stabilize farm incomes. Diversified systems are less input-dependent and thus tend to be more ecologically sound than specialized systems of farming. However, diversified