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	Organic Farming Biotechnology Small-Scale Agriculture Sustainable Palm Oil			Small-scale Farming At Spectrum, we believe that where we source our products affects more than just our bottom line. We source the great majority of our products from small farms, often run by families who are committed to sustainable agriculture and organic practices, for a variety of reasons. When a large food company buys up tracts of land for growing crops, there is often little thought put in to the communities surrounding the land, the long-term fate of the land, and sometimes even the quality of the crop itself. Decisions tend to be bound by bottom lines dictated by corporate headquarters, which can create a domino effect of negative outcomes. Monoculture vs. Biodiversity The implications of this distinction run deep. To begin with, corporate farms practice what is called 'monoculture'--they plant acres and acres of one crop in order to streamline mechanized processes. Monoculture depletes the land of nutrients and encourages certain diseases, weeds and pests which are dealt with by an array of pesticides and herbicides. This type of agriculture is extremely harsh on the environment. By contrast, small farms often practice what is called 'biodiversity'. They rotate crops to prevent soil depletion, nourish soil with compost, interplant various crops for natural weed and pest prevention, and have a long-term view of what is best for the land. They are concerned with 'sustaining' the health of the land for years to come, which is where the phrase 'sustainable agriculture' comes from. Community Impact Large scale farming can have a devastating impact on rural communities, and has indeed changed the face of America, and the world, over the last century. Studies have shown that by encouraging small-scale farming in poor areas and third world countries, poverty is reduced and the hope of prosperity rekindled. Small-scale farming is one of our best hopes for preserving the deeply seeded agrarian traditions found in so many societies of the world. Spectrum is cognizant of the myriad benefits of small-scale farming, which is why we devote ourselves to culling trusted family sources for our products. Read here about the diverse group of people Spectrum sources from. At its core, small-scale farming is about hope; and that is something we strive to support in everything we do. More Information on Small-scale Farming Food First A Time To Act -- USDA Progress and Achievements on Small Farms Report USDA Small Farms
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