What agricultural practice involves growing enough food solely for oneself and one's family?

The concept of subsistence farming is characterized by producing enough food to meet the needs of the farmer and their family, with little to no surplus for sale or trade. This type of agriculture is often practiced in rural areas where people rely on small plots of land to grow crops for their direct consumption. The emphasis is on self-sufficiency, as subsistence farmers typically focus on a variety of crops that provide the necessary nutrients for their households, rather than cultivating large quantities of a single cash crop for profit.

This practice is historically significant and is still prevalent in many developing countries where families engage in farming primarily for food security and sustenance. The approach fosters a connection to the land and local ecosystems, which can lead to sustainable agricultural practices tailored to the specific environment.

In contrast, the other options involve different agricultural methods and economic objectives. Nomadic herding involves the seasonal movement of livestock in search of pastures, commercial farming is oriented towards large-scale production aimed at generating profit, and sharecropping relates to a system where farmers work land owned by someone else in exchange for a share of the crops produced. Therefore, the defining characteristic of subsistence farming makes it the correct answer in the context of the question.