Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities.

Characteristics of this type of agriculture include:

• Conservation and Preservation
• Biodiversity
• Animal Welfare
• Economically Viable
• Socially Just

In 1990, the US government defined sustainable agriculture in Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1683, as "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 agricultural 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; and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole."

Florverde, a voluntary certification process for Colombian flower growers; FlorEcuador, a program for Ecuadorean growers; Veriflora, a voluntary certification standard and label developed for marketing to U.S. consumers; Fair Trade; Rainforest Coalition and more all are competing to become the label of preference for major retailers, causing havoc for suppliers who sell to multiple retail chains and channels.