By my definition, if you don't expect them to work for your
great grandchildrens' generation, then they can't be considered as
sustainable


Interesting and good definition. I observed in a previous note,  that the
view of humans as a species is a bit distasteful in a way.  I don't view the
extinction of some of the species in recent years as an issue.  Passenger
pigeons,  the dodo, and maybe the Tasmanian wolf??  Can't recall anything of
consequence.  TO me that's no different than the disappearance of say the
mastodon,  or T Rex.  Part of what the earth does.   Critters come and go.
Right now we are in the process of ever little mutation of a gene becomes a
new species....  some of the snail darter stuff is just odd to me....  but
they are choices to be made,  and fully respect that point of view.
Look to me like most of the species in jeopardy come from war,  and greed,
not farming.  But I see it from one view.  All I can think about at risk now
is a lot of African species most in jeopardy from being overhunted for meat.
I do know that bees are not at risk from farming right now.

Current farming practices will change little in the next 2 generations.  In
comparative scale.  Look at the last 2 generations.  Planting and harvesting
tech has changed a lot (read "machines of plenty" and let me know if you
want an epilog) as far as farming in general, plant spacing's, and
pesticides have changed a little but not much  seed genetics have been
changed (look at the uproar on that topic alone)  but the practice of basic
cultivation and input have not changed much at all in the last years.  And
won't in the future.  Hydroponics planned to change the world,  yea right,
they lack taste,  and inputs are the same... adding nutrients to the water
instead of soil...

Not sure about the sweet potato thing... have to check into it a bit...

Interesting discussion...  seems to me after the back and forth the real
point is what one considers sustainable and what one really knows about
current practices,  which vary widely from area to area.

Charles

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