Is growing corn and soybeans sustainable?
For agriculture to be truly sustainable it must do three things at the same time: • Enhance the environment • Support the farm family at an acceptable economic level • Benefit the local community Gyles Randall, a soil scientist at the University of Minnesota, states that corn and soybean production in his area does not appear to be sustainable in any of these aspects. The bottom line, Randall says, is that “we will need substantial changes in federal farm policy, cropping systems and usage of crops produced on the farm to sustain a healthy environment and rural community.” (1) Let’s take a look at each of the three basic principles of sustainability as they relate to corn and soybean production and look for opportunities for progress.
