Farmed Smart Good for Environment Farmers and Many Others

As more consumers demand sustainable agriculture, and sustainable products, the industry is working to react.  That why the Direct Seed Association came up with the Farm Smart Certified Program.  This voluntary program encourages farmers to move from conventional planting to direct seed.

Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association President Kay Meyer told the Washington Ag Network Farmed Smart is better for the environment, especially nearby waterways.

“One of the standards is the implementation of riparian buffers, but we’ve been able to get our regulators agency in Washington state, Department of Ecology to understand that in a low disturbance situation the field is the buffer because there is 95% less sedimentation delivery occurring in a direct seed low disturbance field

Farmers now have an incentive to work with regulators, which has fostered a most positive environment.  And through a voluntary program, the agriculture community is able to reach environmental goals that can be quantified.  Part of their effort is getting other involved, that are willing to help fund these sustainable practices and sustainable products into the future.

“Our goal as an association and the goal of this program is to ultimately get more farmers to adopt this way of farming because it’s the way of the future.  It’s more economical for them but it’s also being demanded by the consumer and the environmental groups.  They want to see these farming practices take place.”

Visit the PNWDSA's Website to learn more about the Farmed Smart Certification.

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