“Organic Agriculture” and/or “Sustainable Agriculture”
I always prefer to start with definitions whenever a new topic is released. One of the things I like about this topic is that the terms appear to be well defined in actual LAW which given the United Stated Federal Government as the actor makes a good case for the use of an official government definition.
Substantially increase assistance will likely be a standard topicality debate this year although I think if your affirmative case is big enough you should have no problem in the 1AR defending your case. I would certainly look for the term in literature surrounding your case. If you can find someone describing your plan as a “substantial increase in assistance” you would be golden on topicality.
Organic
Here is a US Dept. of Agriculture page explaining how organic is officially defined:
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods. These methods integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.
This page explains the origin of the official term.
Sustainable
The USDA also has a legal definition of sustainable agriculture on its website:
The term ”sustainable agriculture” (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means 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 agriculture 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.
Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.That definition is a central element of the legislation of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program of NIFA.
You will probably find this homepage for sustainable agriculture very valuable this year!
Anyone else find good definitions?
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I agree, these definitions make the topic very clear and they come from the actor, too! Thank you for these.
On a quantitative/qualitative level what do you consider to be substantial?
I was just discussing this today with another coach, but I think this topic was excellently crafted.