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Borrowed from a wide range of sources and developed through trial and error over long periods, best practices in sustainable agriculture uniquely fit the situations in which they have developed. We find that the hallmark characteristics of best practices include that standards are clearly defined and generally agreed upon, systems are flexible and accommodate the changing needs of all parties involved, and openness in communication and information sharing greatly facilitates both of those.

The information you'll find here is LESSON's assessment of programs and projects in sustainable agriculture from around the world; we like these. They are wide-ranging, varied, uniquely suit their contexts, and offer a wealth of ideas about how sustainable agricultures can be developed and implemented. We've chosen those that provide depth and breadth sufficient to reflect the complexity of the projects and the commitment it took to bring them to fruition. No doubt there are many more and we encourage you to keep the community informed by adding those you know about to our resource lists.

The Intervale

The Intervale

The Intervale Center seeks to nurture and sustain farms, land, and people. We manage 350 acres of farmland, nursery, trails, and wildlife corridors along the Winooski River in Burlington, Vermont. We share what we learn and do with others across our state and around the country.

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United States National Arboretum

The United States National Arboretum was established in 1927 by an Act of Congress, to serve the public need for scientific research, education, and gardens that conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment.

The Arboretum is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. The Arboretum lies on 446 acres in NorthEast Washington, DC, with other research location in Beltsville, MD and McMinnville, TN.

Research includes wide-ranging basic and developmental studies of trees, shrubs, turf, and floral plants. Development of new technologies for the floral and nursery industries. Development of plants with superior characteristics through a program of testing and genetic improvement. Taxonomy and nomenclature of ornamental plants and their wild relatives. Collection and preservation of plant germplasm with ornamental potential.

Sustainable Table

GRACE Foundation
Sustainable Table celebrates local sustainable food, educates consumers on food-related issues and works to build community through food. Every day, more and more consumers are shopping smarter, eating healthier, and enjoying an abundance of fresh, locally-grown products. Sustainable Table was created to celebrate this fast-growing, dynamic movement, to educate consumers on food-related issues, and to help build community through food.

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture

PASA
Founded in 1992, PASA's consistent and driving vision has been to transform agriculture and food systems in Pennsylvania and beyond in a way that makes our farmers more viable, improves the land and restores the health and wellbeing of all our citizens. We are nonprofit in structure, but entrepreneurial in spirit, as we use our resources carefully to work collaboratively with others in achieving measurable results where we can, without compromising our values. For us, success is defined as the dual process of achieving our mission now while also building capacity to impact the future for many generations to come.

Red Tomato

Red Tomato
The Big Picture Red Tomato's mission is connecting farmers and consumers through marketing, trade, and education, and through a passionate belief that a family-farm, locally-based, ecological, fair trade food system is the way to a better tomato. The food system that dominates global agriculture today is based on an industrial model that takes a heavy toll on the resources of the earth, on farmers and workers, on local economies, and on the nutrition and health of all. Our work at Red Tomato is part of a movement to build a better, more sustainable way of producing and using food. A sustainable food system nourishes the land, the farmers, and local communities, and as a result, nourishes eaters with fresh food. Our work connects the innovation, practicality and (sometimes the sheer adrenaline) of business, with the deliberation and creativity of non-profit social change. We connect local, family farm production with fair pricing and supermarket availability; fresh, in-season, perfectly-ripe produce with high standards of ecological stewardship; beautiful packaging with sustainable materials; risk-taking with fair trade for farmers; science-based research with deep respect for traditional agriculture. We dig deepest to create solutions in these areas: Eco/Sustainable Farming Practices Fair Trade for Farmers and Farm workers Local/Regional Food systems Sharing knowledge and collaboration
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UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs -- Division for Sustainable Development

United Nations
Mission The Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) provides leadership and is an authoritative source of expertise within the United Nations system on sustainable development. It promotes sustainable development as the substantive secretariat to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and through technical cooperation and capacity building at international, regional and national levels. The context for the Division's work is the implementation of Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Barbados Programme of Action for Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States.

Teaching Garden

Kelly Meyer
The TEACHING GARDEN ™ is a place where students, teachers, parents and community members come together to plant a garden, learn about nutrition and the importance of physical fitness, and pass on their knowledge to others. Starting your own garden is fun and surprisingly easy.


by Dr. Radut.