Are you using the appropriate terminology?
Urban Farming
The practice of cultivating crops, livestock or types of food in an urban environment. It
has become a hot topic for agricultural sustainability and social justice advocates alike,
as it can provide avenues to positive change, encouraging those to grow their own fresh
food at home or by purchasing locally grown produce.
Hobby Farming
A smallholding or small farm that is maintained without expectations of being a primary
source of income, generally less than 10 acres. Hobby farming is a more manageable
way to learn, basically dedicating time and effort towards agriculture simple because of
passion, not for money.
Niche Farming
Small operations that produce high value crops like fruits and nuts, that can be grown
on ten acres or less and thrive on specialty markets. Other crops that might work well
for the niche farmers are heirloom apples, Asian pears, berries of all kinds –
gooseberries, elderberries, blueberries and strawberries.
Sustainability Farming
Farming in such a way to protect the environment and aid and expand natural
resources, using state of the art, science-based practices that maximize productivity
and profit. Farmers can minimize tilling and water use, encourage healthy soil by
planting fields with different crops year after year and integrating cropland with livestock.
The ultimate goal is to meet society’s food and textile needs in the present without
compromising future generations by maintaining healthy soil, managing water wisely,
reducing food waste, minimizing air, water and climate pollution.
Organic Farming
Agriculture that makes healthy food, healthy soils, healthy plants, and healthy
environments a priority, along with crop productivity. Organically grown food is food
grown and processed using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, usually based on a
system of cultivation that makes optimal use of natural resources without the use of
chemicals. Organic agriculture is governed by strict government standards where the
majority of nutrients are supplied from organic matter additions such as compost,
manure and cover crops. Organic farms use traditional techniques like composting,
crop rotations, and grazing animals on pastures, drawing on centuries of knowledge.
The bottom line, it doesn’t REALLY matter what you call it, AGRICULTURE is alive and well!