In 1990, the US government defined sustainable agriculture as “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term, satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”

Phew, that is quite a definition!  So what does all that mean?  Well, sustainable agriculture is more a philosophy of the best way to operate a farm rather than a concrete set of rules.