Sustainable agriculture is a method of farming that meets societys present food and textile needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves preventing adverse effects to soil, water, biodiversity, surrounding or downstream resources, as well as to those working or living on the farm or in neighboring areas. Sustainable agriculture can be based on an understanding of ecosystem services and can include a variety of practices such as permaculture, agroforestry, mixed farming, multiple cropping, and crop rotation.

Elements of sustainable agriculture can include the following:

• Selection of site, species, and variety: Preventive strategies, adopted early, can reduce inputs.
• Rotating crops and embracing diversity: This can help to reduce pests and diseases, improve soil health, and increase yields.
• Planting cover crops and perennials: This can help to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and increase biodiversity.
• Reducing or eliminating tillage: This can help to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and increase carbon sequestration.
• Wildlife and pollinator habitat, agroforestry, riparian buffers, crop/livestock integration, mixed species grazing, heirlooms and heritage breeds: These practices can help to increase biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce the use of synthetic inputs.
• Precision agriculture, alternative energy systems, interseeders, new marketing channels, niche products, value-added processing: These practices can help to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and increase profitability.

Sustainable agriculture is important because agriculture has an enormous environmental footprint, playing a significant role in causing climate change, water scarcity, water pollution, land degradation, deforestation, and other processes. Developing sustainable food systems contributes to the sustainability of the human population, and a more sustainable model can be just as productive and profitable over time.