Glossary

Also known as non-point source (NPS) pollution, agricultural runoff can be any pollutant, such as sediments, excess nutrients, pathogens, concentrated animal waste or agricultural chemicals, that is transported to nearby waterways through water runoff or soil erosion. Runoff can seriously degrade the quality of both ground and surface water, including wetlands and sources for drinking water, such as wells, aquifers and reservoirs. The EPA reports that NPS pollution from agricultural runoff is the leading cause of water quality degradation in lakes and streams in the United States. This kind of pollution can be minimized though agricultural practices, such as cover cropping (to reduce soil erosion), composting (to capture and contain nutrients from animal manure), organic farming and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Agritourism is an activity (e.g. pick-your-own, tasting, touring, etc.) that occurs in an agricultural setting, such as a farm or ranch and is open to public participation. In some instances, agritourism involves assisting with animal care or food production and may include an overnight stay on a working farm. The goal of agritourism is generally education as well as enjoyment.

Allergen-free foods generally do not contain any of the following common allergens: wheat, gluten, milk, casein, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and yeast.

American Grassfed Certified is a non-governmental certification system for meat from animals raised on a grass-based diet. Animals certified by the American Grassfed Association only consume forage from the time they are weaned, and they cannot be fed grains or grain by-products. Certified animals are never treated with hormones or antibiotics, and sick animals that require antibiotics for treatment become ineligible for certification. Animals must also be treated humanely for the duration of their lives. Furthermore, they cannot be confined for more than 30 days per calendar year, and they must have unfettered access to pasture. AGA Certification is based on independent, third-party farm audits conducted by Animal Welfare Approved.

The Animal Welfare Approved program is a nonprofit, charitable organization that administers the Animal Welfare Approved label. This label verifies that participating farms are prioritizing each individual animal’s comfort and well-being by allowing them to live in the most natural state possible. The certification identifies specific standards for beef and dairy cattle, bison, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese and verifies that animals have been raised on pasture or range on a farm without dual production.

The term aquaculture generally refers to the keeping and harvesting of plants and animals in any type of water environment, including natural and built environments. However, the term is typically used in reference to the raising of marine and freshwater  fish species, also known as fish farming. This is the fastest-growing form of food production, providing people around the world with an important source of protein and other nutrients. A variety of aquaculture techniques are used to raise freshwater and marine species, including pond culture, cage culture, raceway culture, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and integrated fish farming. Although fish farming is often associated with environmentally harmful practices—particularly with regard to waste disposal—it has unique potential to be a sustainable method of food production, especially as new technologies arise and more people recognize the importance of environmentally responsible aquaculture.