Agronomy Library > Soil Quality

Principles of Conservation Agriculture
Author: Peter Gamache
Date Created: March 30, 2009
Last Reviewed: March 30, 2009
Preamble Conservation Agriculture is an ideal that good stewards of the land aspire to achieve. Some elements of that ideal are known, while others are yet to be discovered. The definition of Conservation Agriculture is dynamic and will grow and change as we strive to achieve the ideal. Defining Conservation Agriculture Conservation Agricultural production systems:  optimize food, fiber and energy production from available resources  increase soil health and productivity by increasing soil organic carbon build up many additional ecosystem services that cannot be achieved by intensive tillage-based cropping systems Conservation Agriculture strives to optimize yield potential while minimizing negative impacts to the environment. The primary objective of Conservation Agriculture is to reverse the long-standing trend of soil degradation by rebuilding soil productivity—increasing soil organic carbon and improving soil structure, quality and health. The basic practices of Conservation Agriculture are:  minimizing mechanical soil disturbance, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, soil compaction and the potential for soil erosion, along with minimizing the disruption for soil biological cycles maintaining a crop or crop residue cover on the soil surface year round maximizing the amount of crop residues on the soil surface throughout the year stimulating biological activity through crop rotation diversity, cover crops and integrated nutrient and pest management. The Conservation Agriculture Systems Alliance The Conservation Agriculture Systems Alliance (CASA) is the association of representatives of local, regional and national organizations who are working to promote the adoption of the principles of Conservation Agriculture within the regions they represent. CASA primarily exists to connect these individuals in North America. Through this association’s mission and the pledge that individuals take to participate, CASA strives to:  communicate a consistent message regarding the importance of Conservation Agriculture to all stakeholders connect CASA members through information exchange and network opportunities  support the initiatives to transfer Conservation Agriculture technology to producers create conditions for paradigm shifts necessary to adopt Conservation Agriculture principles by farmers, industry, government, technicians, educators, policy makers and media carefully examine and overcome barriers to Conservation Agriculture ensure adequate funding for research on Conservation Agriculture concepts and principles  integrate producers, educators, industry, and scientists into every phase of conservation research quantify the environmental and economic benefits of Conservation Agriculture in terms of measurable improvements to soil, water and air quality  support farmer and environmental organizations in the development of policies that enable the adoption of Conservation Agriculture, and that compensate producers for the ecosystem benefits that accrue  promote an integration of crop and livestock systems that maximize the use and efficiency of crop and livestock residues move forward to establish an international consortium working to promote the Conservation Agriculture concept throughout North America, the western hemisphere, all other areas in the world with production agriculture increase CASA’s membership and increase adaptation of Conservation Agriculture practices As a result of these efforts, CASA, through its individual members and as a comprehensive alliance, will strive to inform and influence: policy— so that the adoption of Conservation Agriculture is consistently and effectively moved forward through complimentary policy and program development research— so that all agriculture production research adheres to the principles of Conservation Agriculture and applies its guiding principle that tillage is not a solution universities, government and industry extension—so the message of Conservation Agriculture is delivered consistently and uniformly to all stakeholders