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agriculture. These are building and maintaining healthy soil (with-
out depleting it of nutrients); managing water wisely; using practic-
es that avoid air and water pollution; and maintaining biodiversity,
meaning a balanced ecosystem in which crops are rotated and
plenty of space is allocated for native plants
and wildlife habitat.
At Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa,
students run their own small sustainable farm.
Those who work at the farm grow more than
forty different fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Through this experience they learn about all
aspects of growing food, from planting, fertil-
izing, and weeding to harvesting. They also
learn to manage a business, since the pro-
duce they grow is either sold or donated to
residents in need. Heidi Engelhardt, an Iowa State University student
who majors in culinary science, says that when she first became
involved with the farm, she had no idea how passionate she would
feel about the work involved. She enjoyed it so much that she be-
came the farm’s outreach coordinator. Engelhardt says that students
in her major typically want to work in kitchens and also in big cities.
“And that is important,” she says, “but it’s also important to have that
farming aspect. And I think I’m very lucky to have discovered that.”
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Beneficial for the Land and Wildlife
Farmers whose operations are truly sustainable use a number
of innovative practices, one of which is no-till farming. Tilling, in
conventional agriculture, involves using a plow outfitted with a
mechanical device (a tiller) that digs into the soil, turns it over, and
breaks up the clumps. In the process, soil is loosened, weeds
are chopped up, and residue from the previous crop is removed.
A growing number of farmers are using no-till farming, which is
better for the environment. Rather than digging up the ground
after a harvest, farmers allow the residue (such as corn stalks and
leaves) to remain on the field during the off-season.
When this organic matter is left on a field, it improves soil qual-
ity, better retains water, and reduces erosion. Also, once the har-
WORDS IN
CONTEXT
biodiversity
A balanced
ecosystem with a
variety of species.
