THE BIBLE EXPECTS CHRISTIANS TO BE ENVIRONMENTALISTS An environmentalist is “one who wants to protect the natural environment” from pollution and other threats. Genesis 1:1 sets the stage for environmentalism: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (NIV). Furthermore, in Genesis 1:26 we read: “Then God said, Let us make men in our image, in our likeness, that they may have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle and the birds. birds. all wild animals and all creatures that move on the earth. » (NIV) God expects all humanity, not just Christians, to be good stewards of his creations. among them is a small family farm. When we leave this earth, we want to leave it in a better state than when we arrived here. To help us achieve this goal, we practice what is called sustainable agriculture. By subscribing to the concept of sustainable agriculture, we strive “to use an agricultural system that uses methods that value resources and are in harmony with nature. Additionally, we try to farm in a way that restores and conserves natural resources and provides a purposeful public benefit. » We have four businesses at Outlaw Farm, all designed to increase the sustainability of these lands. The first of these enterprises is the forest, consisting of both hardwoods and southern yellow pines. We manage our forest lands using selective harvesting that provides long-term returns, not short-term financial gains. By doing this, we improve water quality and enhance wildlife. Clearcutting forest land, as opposed to selective harvesting, allows all forest land on a given parcel to be harvested simultaneously. Too often this results in water runoff and a middle of paper...aren't factory farms really worth it? Is factory farming good for the environment, is it pleasing to God? I read an article several years ago about the higher cost of organic produce and grass-fed beef. The last sentence of the article was “what is your health worth?” » I would say that small family farms are better for the environment because they don't cause the water quality issues that other systems can cause, waste disposal issues are not a problem and the animals are treated humanely. Agriculture and the environment is a very complex subject and cannot be adequately covered in just a few pages. Here we have barely scratched the surface. Let me leave you with this question; which is better for the environment and more pleasing to God, the image of Devon cattle knee-deep in lush grass pictured above or cattle in the feedlot pictured below?