Industrial agriculture dismantles this system and separates livestock from crop farming. The manure, which is such a valuable asset in traditional farm systems, becomes a pollutant that damages ground and surface water, and makes life miserable for neighbors. Because animals are concentrated in isolated locations, manure is no longer available to farmers elsewhere, so fertilizer has to be mined or made from oil and transported on trucks and ships. Without farm animals to feed, crop farmers have no reason to grow the grasses, clovers, and alfalfa that rebuild soil structure and nitrogen reserves. Industrial agriculture may produce high yields of commodities, but its costs to society and to the environment cause a profound form of bankruptcy.
Sustainable agriculture is inherently more localized and flexible than industrial agriculture.
Both are knowledge-based, but sustainable agriculture adds a layer of particularity. Farmers come to know their land, climate, and seed strains, and are able to respond to changing weather patterns and specific insects and diseases. And sustainable farming builds the life of the soil, helping crops withstand infestations and droughts. We might start by exploring the pioneering examples of sustainable agriculture that are proliferating despite the obstacles. Many dairy farmers now make artesian cheese instead of just selling raw milk.