[DOWNLOAD] ~ Assessment of Farm Plans and Countryside Planning in Ontario. by Environments ~ Book PDF Kindle ePub Free

eBook details

Title: Assessment of Farm Plans and Countryside Planning in Ontario.
Author : Environments
Release Date : January 01, 1997
Genre: Art & Architecture,Books,Arts & Entertainment,
Pages : * pages
Size : 190 KB

Description

Traditionally, farmers have taken on a role of land stewards, and indeed, most farmers are concerned about the state of the environment on their farms. However, the ability of farmers to carry out traditional stewardship roles is being challenged as farm management decisions increasingly focus more on the short-term economic survival of the farm than the long-term maintenance of the farm's environmental resources (Hilts, 1993; Sparrow, 1984; Troughton, 1985; 1991). In the Twentieth Century, an over-riding emphasis has been placed on maximum agricultural production. Very often this has taken place at the expense of protecting and conserving the soil and water resources upon which agriculture is inherently dependent. In effect, an agricultural dilemma has been created wherein prevailing agricultural practices jeopardize the long-term ability of the environment to continue supporting agriculture (Troughton, 1990). In addition to soil and water degradation, agriculture is linked to concerns over air quality, agri-chemical residues, natural heritage losses, reduced countryside amenity values, and diminishing plant and animal genetic resources (Bentley and Leskiw, 1984; Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture, 1995; OECD, 1991; OFEC, 1992). Federal and provincial governments have helped concerned farmers with soil and water conservation efforts for over one hundred years. The Ontario Department of Agriculture offered a farm planning service through the Soil Science Department at the University of Guelph from 1945 to 1965. It involved agricultural extension workers conducting farm visits and preparing farm plans that detailed strip cropping, contour cultivation, crop rotation, manure management and other conservation practices to address soil erosion and other environmental concerns (Dumanski and others, 1986, Hoffman, 1991). More recently, governments have been joined by non-government organizations in helping farmers address a broad range of farm environmental problems and sustainability generally. However, concerns remain about these issues as they affect people from rural and urban communities who, on one hand, depend on agriculture for food production and, on the other hand, look to the countryside as a place of residence, water supply, recreation and heritage conservation.