Backyard gardening has always been popular to obtain fresh and nearly free produce in the urban landscape. However with the concerns over GMO (genetically modified foods) as well as pesticide use, and simply the cost of fresh produce in these hard economic times backyard gardening is giving way to a trend towards urban farming. This trend is not as carefree as the traditional backyard garden and begs that more organic means of pest and weed control be used in lieu of more hazardous chemicals. However, despite the sometimes staggering effort required the benefits of urban farming are becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. Urban farming is not a new idea. During World War II a message was sent out to our communities as well as the allies to start Victory Gardens. (Putnam, Cosper) The premise was to avoid a shortage of fresh food and relieve some the pressure on the nation to feed its citizens, by supplying yourself and others in your community from your own backyard. Citizens were encouraged to arm themselves with health from their self-provided produce. They were also encouraged to use the money that had been earmarked for buying those pricey vegetables, and now homegrown and virtually free, to buy war bonds to further demonstrate their patriotism. It was an idea that caught on in a big way and was widely practiced both here in the U. S. as well as in England. (1942) Today when you can walk into any grocery and see aisles full of colorful produce it doesn’t seem possible that there could be a shortage of food. However, when you consider that California, where a major amount of our fresh produce comes from, is currently experiencing a major drought we may quickly find ourselves without the choices we have grown accus... ... middle of paper ... ...would have no trouble locating a booming market that is increasing annually to keep up with demand for more healthy alternatives that are not as hard on our planet. More organic urban farming is friendlier to the environment and has been embraced across the nation. References: Putnam, J-M. & Cosper, L. 1942. Gardens For Victory. San Diego. Harcourt Brace & Co. Office of the Governor of California. 2014. Governor Brown Declares Drought State of Emergency. California: Office of the Governor of California. Horton, R. Genetically modified foods: “absurd” concern or welcome dialogue? The Lancet, Vol. 354, Iss. 9187, 1314-1315. Dahl, R. To label or not to label: California prepares to vote on genetically engineered foods. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120, A358-61. Whitman, D. Genetically modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful? CSA Discovery Guides. 1-13.
Even though some people think modernizing is the key to a successful economy in the future, it doesn't mean that the farming industry should be reduced to the back burner when thinking about what is contributing to the ever-growing economy. My point here that agriculture is vital to America’s economy and should not altered should interest those who live in farming communities. Beyond this limited audience, however, my point should speak to anyone who cares about the larger issue of making sure agriculture is seen as an important asset that benefits citizens and other industries that utilize the products that are
Produce from a home garden will be more organic than anything you can find at the grocery store. Organic produce is grown without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers (recycleworks.org). Large farms that supply most grocery stores do not use organic methods. They spray their fields and crops with a variety of chemicals that get absorbed by the produce and into the ground. Thus, every time you get your produce from the s...
6. "Organic Farming." US Environmental Protection Agency. 29 July 2009. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. .
In the U.S., GM foods have received little public opposition; this is largely due to the fact that food manufacturers are not required to label their products as containing genetically modified ingredients for fear of confusing consumers. Due to the lack of evidence that genetically altered foods are harmful, the Food and Drug Administration considers GM foods to be “generally regarded as safe” (known as GRAS) and no special labeling is required (Falkner 103). In the U.S., genetically modified crops are monitored by t...
Since World War Two, the demand for convenient food, ethnic foods, and fresh fruits and vegetables has risen as a result of increases in income and the prevalence of dual-income families, together with the desire for food variety and healthy foods. The agriculture industry works and develops to meet these demands. Into recent times, societies share a growing concern regarding the environment, climate change, food safety, and animal welfare. Pertaining to agriculture, these concerns question issues such as soil and water conservation practices, use of pesticides and chemicals in crop production, growth promoters, and livestock treatment practices in animal agriculture. However, the industry’s scientists continue to work and research ways to balance the industry and bring environmental and economic
With the world’s population continuing to increase, the demand for food is higher than ever. This increase in food demand also calls for more efficient ways of growing and providing the food. Two methods that are very controversial are the organic and conventional method. While many people support the organic method because of its known benefits, others feel that it is an over inflated industry that cheats consumers out of their money. But recently many studies have disproved those critics. These studies prove that Organic food is a better choice than conventional because it is better for the environment, avoids the use of chemicals, and is generally more beneficial.
.There continues to be an insufficient consistent supply of products available to ensure a year round supply for consumers to choose from. If the proportion of consumers purchasing organic food is to increase it is important that they can source these products when they need them otherwise they will look for an alternative-
As we stroll the aisles of our local supermarkets we see all kinds of food products, but does it ever occur to you how fresh or natural these products maybe. Organic farming prohibits any use of artificial chemicals, growth hormones, or antibiotics in the production of its crops and livestock. Organic farming has existed for centuries, but after the industrial revolution factory farming was arising. Organic farming does not allow the use of any pesticides in its crops or livestock production, but also helps sustain a good economic flow in rural communities. Although there are many benefits of organic farming, there is a lack of credibility some farmers provide within the distribution of their products and some argue that there’s no difference
“Genetically modified foods are a "Pandora's box" of known and unknown risks to humans and the environment. They have been forced onto the American public by multinational biotech and agribusiness corporations without adequate oversight and regulation by the United States government (Driscoll, SallyMorley, David C).”Genetically Modified Food is food which has been chemically altered by scientists during the production process to give the food more nutrients, better appearance, and a longer shelf-life (Rich, Alex K.Warhol, Tom). The importance of this issue is that these GMO’s can actually have a negative effect in our society in general. It could mutate in a negative way and cause cancer or other diseases. Genetically modified food should be strictly controlled due to its various detrimental effects on the environment, human health, and potentially insect/animal effects.
Conventional farming practices are responsible for many negative health and environmental issues. One of the main issues is the creation of monocultures in the farming environment. Specifically growing the same species of plants or animals in mass quantities without variation every season is not natural. Monocultures do not exist in nature (Pollan 67). Nature practices diversity and for good reason. In nature and organic farming, if there is a threat to one species, there are others to balance the decrease in the threatened species. Conventional farmers and the modern food industry argue that planting the same crop year after year is convenient and profitable because it cuts down on the different types of farm equipment necessary in production, and initially, in the types of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers needed. However, in this unnatural environment, tremendous amounts of pest...
For years organic farmers and conventional farmers have feuded over which is superior. Organic farmers argue that their product is more eco-friendly because they do not use the synthetic chemicals and fertilizers conventional farmer’s use. Conventional farmers argue that their product is healthier and yields more. People tend to have stereotypes regarding the two types of farmers. Organic farmers are usually thought of as liberal, hippy, tree-huggers while conventional farmers are usually thought of as right-wing, industrialists. Obviously, some do adhere to this stereotype, but a majority of these farmers are normal, hardworking people. Although these farmers, both believe in their methods, one is no better than the other. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but there is no true superior method of crop farming.
As the global population continues to rise, the amount of food needed to feed the people will increase as well. Two types of agriculture systems have been the backbone for crop production for decades if not centuries: conventional and organic agriculture— both methods could not be any more different. Conventional agriculture, a method that uses synthetic chemical pesticides, technologies or additives, and practices that are unsustainable is the leading producer for our food. On the other side of spectrum, organic agriculture generally, performed in a much smaller scale, does not use synthetic chemicals and utilize methods that are environmentally sound. Most conventional
Boyers, Lindsay. "Genetically Modified Foods." SF chronicle [San Francisco] 03 03 2013, Demand Media n. pag. Print.
The global population in the year 2050 is expected to be nine billion and the agricultural demand is expected to double. With the current population already over seven billion people, there are hunger issues all around the world (“New” par. 1). How are we going to deal with food shortages in the future? With less land to work with, strains on the soils, and the lack of water, it is getting harder for the farmers of the world to support our growing population. These complications are making it harder for farmers to produce quality, affordable food. To help the crops grow better, farmers use fertilizers and chemical sprays to enhance growth and control the weeds. Farming in the United States is a relevant business because it supplies people with food, provides people with jobs maintaining the used equipment with the new equipment being much more expensive, and it provides research for more efficient ways on how to feed the world.
Organic farming has mushroomed drastically in importance and influence worldwide from its modest beginnings in the first half of the last century. Organic farming is production of food and livestock without the use of herbicides, pesticides, weedicides, fertilizers or genetically modified organism and use natural resources such as manure and compost instead. In other words, it is a production system which maintains the quality of soil ecosystem as well as human beings. According to IOWA State University, “the chemicals were not used for farming before World War 2. A number of munitions used in farming have contributed to field of agriculture. For instance, ammonium nitrate used as ammonium nitrate fertilizer”.