These are essentially synonymous terms encompassing a vast array of practices and enterprises, all of which are considered different from prevailing or conventional agricultural activities. "They include:

nontraditional crops, livestock, and other farm products;

service, recreation, tourism, food processing, forest/woodlot, and other enterprises based on farm and natural resources (ancillary enterprises);

unconventional production systems such as organic farming or aquaculture; or

direct marketing and other entrepreneurial marketing strategies." Grudens Shuck et al., Farming Alternatives: A Guide to Evaluating the Feasibility of New Farm-Based Enterprises (Ithaca NY: Cornell University, 1988), p. 1. NAL Call # S675.N72 no.32

Alternative has also come to imply the use of environmentally-friendly farming practices in general, and the benefits of farm diversification. See also: List of Alternative Crops and Enterprises for Small Farm Diversification. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center. at AFSIC Website: http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/list-alternative-crops-enterprises-small-farm-diversification (8/23/07)