The term systems is used because there is no one single way to farm sustainably. The possible ways are as numerous as farmers and potential farmers. The first aspect of sustainable agriculture is the understanding that a respect for life which protects its various forms, and recognizes their right to exist is not only desirable but necessary to human survival. A second aspect requires that the farming system does not put life in jeopardy, its methods do not deplete the soil or the water, or place farmers in situations where they themselves are depleted, either in numbers or in the quality of their lives. Another aspect of sustainable agriculture recognizes that farming families are an essential part of a sustainable system.
Farmers are the systems care-givers or stewards.
As stewards they know their land better than anyone else and are equipped to shoulder the challenge of developing a sustainable system on that land. In a sustainable system farmers ideally will move toward less dependence on off-farm purchased inputs and the actual management skills and understanding of the intricate biological and economic workings of the farm will need to increase. Lastly, sustainable agricultural systems requires the realization by non-farmers that they also have an essential stewardship role simply by the fact that they consume farmers' production. Non-farmers have a stewardship role of providing support for farmers that are using sustainable farming systems. 7 Food consumers can give support by selectively buying food raised in close proximity to a buyer's local market.