Moldova, like most countries throughout the world including the republics of the former Soviet Union, followed the industrial model of agricultural intensification with a dependence on mineral fertilizers, pesticides for weed, pest and disease control, dominance of row crops and neglect of animal husbandry. It has paid a high economic, environmental and social price. Seeking a practical alternative farming system, this article draws on data from a long-term poly-factorial field experiment with different crop rotations, systems of soil tillage and fertilization. The effect of crop rotation was determined for different crops under different systems of tillage and fertilization. Crop rotation with perennial legumes and grasses, integrated with animal husbandry, provides self-sufficiency in nutrients and facilitates no-till farming.