Natural systems agriculture

Natural Systems Agriculture

Natural Systems Agriculture is rooted in the premise that we can work with – rather than against – nature in order to produce the food we need.

Rather than subduing or ignoring the wisdom inherent in established natural systems with short-term technological gimmicks and depleted water and mineral resources, Natural Systems Agriculture matches the principles and insights of evolutionary and ecological science with the applied skills and knowledge of agronomy to partner with and intensify the beneficial relationships within living species, communities, and ecosystems (source: https://landinstitute.org/our-work/).

Natural System Agriculture (NSA) is a system of agriculture that focuses on creating sustainable and regenerative ecosystems through the use of natural processes. It can limit land degradation by promoting the use of agroforestry, soil conservation, and the preservation of biodiversity. Here are some examples:

1. Agroforestry: NSA promotes the use of agroforestry as a means of improving soil health, reducing soil erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife. Agroforestry systems include alley cropping, where trees are grown in rows between crops, and silvopasture, where trees are integrated into pastureland. For example, in Costa Rica, the Finca Luna Nueva Lodge has used agroforestry to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife.

2. Soil Conservation: NSA emphasizes the importance of soil conservation practices, such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation, to prevent soil erosion and degradation. These practices can help to build soil organic matter and increase nutrient cycling. For example, in the United States, the Rodale Institute has used conservation tillage and cover cropping to improve soil health and reduce soil erosion.

3. Biodiversity: NSA promotes the preservation of biodiversity as a means of creating healthy and resilient ecosystems. This includes preserving native plant species, promoting the use of companion planting, and providing habitat for wildlife. For example, in Brazil, the Terra Preta program has promoted the use of companion planting and the preservation of native plant species to improve soil health and promote biodiversity.  Numerous different plant species, including grasses, legumes, composites, etc., are present in the native prairie ecosystem. In order to be sustainable, cropping systems must be diverse. Agronomists have known about crop rotation, for instance, a straightforward type of diversity, for at least 2,000 years.

4. Permaculture: NSA incorporates permaculture principles, which emphasize the use of natural processes to create sustainable ecosystems. This includes using composting and other forms of organic waste management, designing landscapes to capture and store water, and creating food forests. For example, in Australia, the Milkwood permaculture farm has used these principles to create a sustainable and regenerative farm system. The majority of the plants in the tallgrass prairie and mixed prairie systems are perennial (grasses, forbs, and some trees). As a result, agricultural systems that aim to resemble natural systems ought to have a substantial amount of perenniality. Perenniality can be added by using only perennial plants, incorporating perennial plants into the rotation, or "perennializing" the annual grain cropping system by utilizing cover crops.

In conclusion, NSA can limit land degradation by promoting the use of agroforestry, soil conservation, the preservation of biodiversity, and permaculture principles. By incorporating these practices, NSA can help to create sustainable and regenerative ecosystems that are resilient to environmental stressors.