The chapter seeks to understand the changing views and definitions of sustainable agriculture, a concept originally intended to teach how to create sufficient amounts of food without depleting natural resources, but which has now become a highly politicized idea. In order to better comprehend the role of agriculture in today’s society, it is imperative to grapple with ideas about population, community, and ecosystem ecology, as well as the economic and social decisions which surround it. This fusion of disciplines, knows as agroecosystems, serves as a model by which to safeguard sustainability efforts in the face of adverse shock and stress. The author closes by emphasizing the importance of ecological processes, and the complexities of household decision-making.
