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, after our likeness, that they may have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air, over the livestock and over the animals.' all wild animals and all creatures that move along the earth.'' (NIV) God expects all mankind, not just Christians, to be good stewards of His creations. God has richly blessed our family with many things; among these there is a small family-run farm. When we leave this earth, we want to leave it better than when we first came here. To help us achieve this goal we practice what is known as sustainable agriculture. Adhering to the concept of sustainable agriculture we strive to "use an agricultural system that uses methods that enhance resources and are in harmony with nature. Furthermore, we seek to farm in a way that restores and conserves natural resources and provides a certain public benefit. “We have four businesses on Outlaw Farm, all designed to increase the sustainability of this land. The first of these assets is forest lands, which consist of both hardwood and southern yellow pine. We manage our forest lands using selective harvesting that ensures long-term returns and not short-term financial gains. In this way we improve water quality and enhance wildlife. Deforestation, unlike selective logging, collects all the forest on a given stretch at once. Too often this results in water runoff and a… paper medium… Is it really worth it for factory farming? Is intensive 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 “how much is your health worth?” I would suggest that smaller family farms are better for the environment because they don't cause the water quality problems that other systems can cause, waste disposal problems are not an issue, and the animals are treated humanely . Agriculture and the environment are very complex topics and cannot be adequately covered in a few pages. We've barely scratched the surface here. Let me leave you with this question; what is better for the environment and more pleasing to God, the image of Devon cattle knee-deep in lush grass pictured above or cattle on the farm pictured below?