The Words and Terms of Sustainability

One of the primary goals of Farmanac is to help people make more sustainable choices with their food purchases. Our hope is that by putting information such as pesticide scores and locally available produce at a consumer’s finger tips, they will make more sustainable food choices: choices that are better for their health and the health of the planet.

The Lexicon of Sustainability is an art and vocabulary project with a similar goal. Using what they term “information art” photo collages and short films they are attempting to educate and tech the basic terms and principals of sustainability as they relate to food and farming. Over a three year period they visited visionaries such as restaurateur Alice Waters, author and farmer Joel Salatin, and environmental activist Vandana Shiva. The results are as stunning as they are informative. Nebulous terms and complex subjects like biodiversity, grass fed, urban farmer, even sustainability itself are presented in a clear and easily digestible manner.

The Lexicon looks at words as the foundation of change. With a deeper understanding of the ideas behind these words, transformation will flow.

Words are the building blocks for new ideas. They have the power to activate change and transform societies.

The Lexicon project is based on a simple premise: people can’t be expected to live more sustainable lives if they don’t even know the most basic terms and principles that define sustainability.

At Farmanac we share the belief that education will bring about transformative change. We salute the work the Lexicon of Sustainability is doing. It’s awe-inspiring not only in it’s aesthetic beauty but in it’s ability to shine a light on the important food and farming issues of the day. Below are a few of our favorites from the Lexicon. Be sure to visit their website and watch the videos to find your own favorites.