Thomas Jefferson´s Gardening Compared to Today
opinionated Essay
1419 words
Thomas Jefferson’s Gardening Compared to Today Thomas Jefferson one of our founding fathers was very interested in gardening and learning about the soil and land conditions. It has been written that he has grown over 300 varieties of vegetables and herbs and even over a hundred different kinds of fruits. “America's third president Thomas Jefferson was a man of many talents. He wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was a skilled architect, scientist, landscape designer, farmer and life-long gardener. As a young man, Jefferson inherited his family's 2,000 hectare plantation on Monticello Mountain near Charlottesville, Virginia where he designed the neo-classical house and flower gardens and planted grain fields, fruit orchards and vineyards. (Skirble)” “Jefferson's Monticello garden was a Revolutionary American garden. One wonders if anyone else had ever before assembled such a collection of vegetable novelties, culled from virtually every western culture known at the time, then disseminated by Jefferson with the persistence of a religious reformer, a seedy evangelist. Here grew the earth's melting pot of immigrant vegetables: an Ellis Island of introductions, the whole world of hardy economic plants: 330 varieties of eighty-nine species of vegetables and herbs, 170 varieties of the finest fruit varieties known at the time. The Jefferson legacy supporting small farmers, vegetable cuisine, and sustainable agriculture is poignantly topical today. (Hatch)” “Aside from its diverse population of mostly introduced crops, the Monticello garden was American in its size and scope, experimental character, and expansive visual sweep. 600,000 cubic feet of Piedmont red clay was moved with a cart and mule to create the "hanging garden," an... ... middle of paper ... ...led an average of 1,518 miles (about 2,400 kilometers). By contrast, locally sourced food traveled an average of just 44.6 miles (72 kilometers) to Iowa markets. (DeWeerdt)” This is not only bad for the environment with all the food being transported all around the world causing pollution, it also does not support the local growing gardeners. When people buy locally grown produce it helps the community out because of the taxes made from the produce they buy. So without our founding fathers impact on learning how to grow crops and experimenting with the seeds to see how well they grow in certain areas. We would probably not be here today. With Thomas Jefferson’s notes he had taken on his gardening, I am sure people have learned information. And as time has past we need to be very careful how we treat our own land and soil with respect as our forefathers have done.
In this essay, the author
- Compares thomas jefferson's gardening to today. he was a skilled architect, scientist, landscape designer, farmer, and life-long gardener.
- Opines that jefferson's monticello garden was a revolutionary american garden. the jefferson legacy supporting small farmers, vegetable cuisine, and sustainable agriculture is poignant today.
- Explains that the monticello garden was american in its size and scope, experimental character, and expansive visual sweep.
- Explains that peter hatch is the director of gardens and grounds at monticello and says the garden is laid out as jefferson had planned it, in 24 squares of herbs and vegetables.
- Explains that jefferson didn't use hothouses or radiant walls to coax vegetables to grow beyond their natural season. he believed pests were inevitable and fertilized soil was the best defense.
- Explains that thomas jefferson enjoyed gardening into his old age, gathering seeds from all over the world, and planting his crops before his neighbors as a friendly rivalry. food is important as the times have changed the way to garden.
- Explains that people can buy seeds to plant for themselves to raise, or even go to the grocery store and buy vegetables ready to eat. a person can even choose many varieties of flowers already grown.
- Analyzes how thomas jefferson's interest in gardening made an impact on writing the u.s. constitution.
- Opines that jefferson and madison would have liked rooftop farming and urban gardening as ways for people to connect with the soil.
- Explains that food travels 1,500 miles on average from farm to consumer in the united states, according to rich pirog, the associate director of the leopold center for sustainable agriculture.
- Opines that without our founding fathers impact on learning how to grow crops and experimenting with the seeds to see how well they grow in certain areas, we would probably not be here today.
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- Summary Of George Washington's Founding Gardeners?analytical essayAfter the Revolutionary War, Washington was sick of seeing bloodshed and wounded soldiers; he missed the philosophical retreat of his home in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the commander-in-chief saw the future of America as a country peopled not by soldiers but by farmers - an agrarian society that would be industrious and happy” (Wulf, 16). As a soldier, Washington fulfilled his duty to his country but as this quote clearly conveys, Washington idealized an agrarian society for the future of America’s economy. Washington believed that an agricultural society was vital to a nation that sought to define a national identity and was much more than just a profitable endeavor at the time. According to Wulf, “ploughing, planting and vegetable gardening were more than profitable and enjoyable occupations: they were political acts, bringing freedom and independence” (Wulf, 10). As a new nation, the success of an agrarian society was much more than a source of income; it was a political statement towards Britain. After the Revolutionary War, Washington and the rest of America had a great deal of pride for their nation, as demonstrated by his garden in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the plants were American and that was all that counted because this part of the garden celebrated America” (Wulf, 26). When constructing his garden, Washington would only plant native species because his garden celebrated America’s success in the Revolutionary War and symbolized a nation that was
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the founding fathers' passion for gardening and agriculture shaped america's national identity.
- Analyzes how the commander-in-chief, george washington, idealized an agrarian society for the future of america's economy after the revolutionary war.
- Explains that adams and washington both yearned for the philosophical retreat of gardening. while adams dreaded the life of a politician at times, adam's passion for nature was evident in his political efforts.
- Analyzes how the louisiana purchase and the lewis and clark expedition had a significant impact on america's identity.
- Explains that madison's speech to the agricultural society of albemarle educated the public on alternative farming methods to conserve farmland by limiting soil erosion.
- Explains that gardening and agriculture have shaped the nation's identity and economic strategy to this day. without gardening, our founding fathers would not have implemented environmental policies in politics.
1090 wordsRead More - Monticelloexplanatory essayThomas Jefferson became his own master builder on this land that he inherited from his father, Peter Jefferson. When his father died he left five thousand acres and more than twenty slaves to Thomas and his younger brother Randolph. The land would include the little 867 foot wooded mountain that would one day be called "Monticello." In 1767 Jefferson did the unheard thing to do in colonial America, he decided to build his dream home on the mountaintop. There were no highways or rivers on the land he built his home and people thought he was crazy and unpractical for doing this.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thomas jefferson wanted to build his home on his mountain in the blue ridge mountains of virginia near charlottesville.
- Explains that thomas jefferson became his own master builder on the land that he inherited from his father, peter jefferson, and left five thousand acres and more than twenty slaves to thomas and his younger brother randolph.
- Explains that architecture, as a profession, did not exist in colonial america. only the wealthy men of the south were to have some knowledge of architectural styles.
- Explains how jefferson started his construction of monticello by leveling his mountaintop and setting down sketchy visions of the house. he used his own trees for timber and stone blocks for the foundation.
- Describes the key elements of the book, and explains how it was written.
- Explains that stonecutting, brick making, and carpentry were the only things he had to get elsewhere.
- Explains that jefferson finished the south pavilion in 1770, and the north pavilion served as a study for his son-in-law. these terraces were to be roofed over and hide the service areas from the main house.
- Explains that jefferson's two-story home was inspired by the works of andrea palladio, a 16th-century italian architect who studied ancient rome.
- Describes the main components of the book, and explains the importance of this book.
- Explains that jefferson had seen many sights in europe that made him question the appearance of monticello. country homes in america did not have multiple stories but city houses did.
- Explains how jefferson wanted monticello to be larger and more aesthetically pleasing. he wanted to combine ancient classical buildings with modern architecture, such as the maison carree, hotel de salm, and roman pantheon.
- Explains that jefferson had many inventions displayed around monticello, such as an hour clock.
- Explains how the weights were actually revolutionary war cannon balls and controlled the gong on the seven-day calendar.
- Explains that jefferson had a rotating pantry door that had shelves built on it to hold dishes, and dumbwaiters that were built into the sides of the fireplace.
- Explains that thomas jefferson was known as the 'father of american architecture' because of his ingenious ideas for new buildings. he had wished that he would die in monticello and his wish was answered.
1345 wordsRead More - Government's Role in Our Agricultural Societyanalytical essay“In 1785, Thomas Jefferson declared that ‘Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds’” (Waters, 2009, p. 111). By the way our society is going with the fast-food industry, this quote is losing its meaning. When Jefferson said this, families had to use fresh and local produce to prepare meals. If families did not use local produce, the food options were scarce. Today, when a family is hungry, ordering take-out is a simple solution.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how thomas jefferson declared that cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens, and that the fast-food industry is losing its meaning. jefferson said that families had to use fresh and local produce to prepare meals.
- Explains that today's adolescents are the future of america. adults expect children to be healthy and fit, but with a typical school lunch being processed and stored food full of preservatives, this task is hard to accomplish.
- Explains that children not getting enough nutrients can lead to behavioral issues. serving healthier meals solves serious educational and health-related problems at central alternative high school in appleton, wisconsin.
- Opines that food safety is a matter of choice, not human health, but corporate profits are being protected.
- Explains that mcdonald's salads are healthier than a cheeseburger, but the amount of calories in one would surprise anyone. big businesses only have one thing in mind, and that is money.
- Argues that the food issues we face are turning into something bigger than needed. the government should control what the big food corporations serve, but the town should be in charge of what that school serves.
536 wordsRead More - The Benefits of Local Farmingexplanatory essayIt used to be that fine dining establishments featured imported ingredients on the menu. These days, many chefs in high quality restaurants take pride in featuring locally grown, seasonal items. Even some large chain grocery stores now offer meat and produce from local farms. While most Americans probably would not feel the need to be as close to their meat as Makenna Goodman describes in “Ever Wonder if You Could Kill What You Eat? We Did the Other Night”, there is growing support for Goodman’s ideas that being closer to the food results in better food quality (246). Many Americans seem to concur, as they are now willing to pay more for locally grown and organically raised food. Having seen countless local farms plowed under to become housing developments or shopping malls, and having dealt with several epidemics of tainted food, Americans are more conscious of the ‘support your local farmer’ movement. If this new ‘food fashion’ continues to grow in popularity, it will help strengthen local farms that in past years have suffered at the expense of large commercial farming enterprises. According to Michael Pollan federal policy has promoted industrial agriculture, or agribusiness, since the Nixon era in the belief that keeping food costs low by obtaining maximum production of commodity crops (corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice) was in the best interest of the national political agenda (186). In “Farmer in Chief”, Pollan asks President Obama to change federal policy and instead promote local farming, asserting that how Americans grow, process, and eat food impacts the health care crisis, energy independence, and climate change (187). Goodman, Pollan, and others agree that more local, small-scale, farming will be better for th...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that if the ‘support your local farmer’ movement continues to grow in popularity, it will strengthen local farms that in past years have suffered at the expense of large commercial farming enterprises.
- Explains that goodman believes it is important for people to know where food comes from, and that food labels don't tell the whole story about how the animal "lived"
- Explains that the movement to support local farming has in part been spurred on by a growing subculture of people who call themselves locavores.
- Explains that pollan emphasizes the environmental, political, and health connections to food. the proliferation of chemical fertilizers made from natural gas and pesticides from petroleum contributes to the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.
- Explains that the high incidence of chronic diseases can be correlated to the consumption of cheap calories, which contributes to rising healthcare costs.
- Explains pollan's desire for a rebirth of the "victory garden" movement, arguing that it will present an image of stewardship of land, of self-reliance, and of making the most of local sunlight.
- Explains that goodman and pollan are proponents of moving meat slaughtering closer to the farms, arguing against confined animal feeding operations (cafos).
- Compares pollan and goodman's compelling arguments in favor of local farming, stating that fresh food wins on all counts.
- Explains burros, marian, "preserving fossil fuels and nearby farmland by eating locally." the new york times company.
- Explains the environmental protection agency, region 7 concentrated animal feeding operations (cafos).
- Explains goodman, makenna, and james s. miller's acting out culture: reading and writing.
- Describes pollan, michael, and james s. miller's acting out culture: reading and writing.
- Explains usda's agricultural marketing service. usda, 2012.
2065 wordsRead More - Williamsburg Horticultureopinionated essay'The colonial ornamental gardens were unlike our own in the relative poverty of plants, in
In this essay, the author
- Describes the colonial garden in williamsburg, virginia, where horticultural explorers introduced plants from south america, africa and thorient by the late 1700s.
- Narrates jefferson's dedication to the garden, though an old man, he is a young gardener. landscape gardening was influenced by european traditions but was independent
- Analyzes how monticello's estate in virginia is a premier example of the new americanuse of landscapes.
- Opines that the horticulturist was the 'greatest single figure in the history of american horticulture.'
- Opines that the colonial ornamental gardens were unlike our own in the relative poverty of plants.
- Explains the absence of landscape arrangement, in the rarity of greenhouses, and lack ofsmooth-shaven lawns. these gardens were of two general types: the unconventional personal garden, without form but not void.
- Opines that the opening of the nineteenth century may be taken as a convenient starting point for anarrative about the evolution of american horticulture.
402 wordsRead More - food food foodanalytical essay...t tastes. According to Maiser, she states, “Locally grown produce is fresher…Local food just plain tastes better… Locally grown fruits and vegetables have longer to ripen.”(Source A). The writer is saying that the food quality of locally harvested food from local farmers’ markets is more convenient in various ways. Smith agrees, “Fruits and vegetables that travel shorter distances are therefore likely to be closer to a maximum of nutrition… It’s not just vitamins and minerals, but all these phytochemicals … a food never really reaches its peak ripeness…” (Source B). The food bought from stores like, Wal-Mart and/or Food 4 Less never reach their full peak of ripeness due to the chemicals used on the produce so it can be preserved. Locally grown produce will be full of vitamins and free of phytochemicals, so it will have a better taste that benefits a humans’ health.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the fast food industry has taken over the majority of modern-day society's food chain, but locavores are people who tend to make an effort in eating locally grown produce, usually within a 100-mile radius.
- Argues that transporting a variety of foods from all over the world hurts our plant due to carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, which causes more pollution.
- Analyzes how maiser asserts that eating local is better for air quality and pollution than eating organic. it reduces the amount of transported goods so the levels of carbon can reduce the harm caused to the environment.
- Opines that the value of nutrition is a quality the majority of people are concerned about.
639 wordsRead More - Math Lessons For Locavores Rhetorical Analysisopinionated essayFormer editor of Us News and World Report and recipient of Guggenheim Award,Stephen Budiansky in his article, “Math Lessons For Locavores”,published in August 19,2012 addresses the topic of locally grown food and argues it as a more sustainable choice in terms of freshness and seasons.I agree with Budiansky for growing food locally,however; with three other reasons: we can reduce food waste,(which will benefit the environment), and obesity(which will help an individual mentally and physically), and improve our economy. The purpose is to illustrate why locally grown foods would be a finer option for an American lifestyle. Budiansky adopts an informative,persuasive,and insightful tone for his audience,readers
In this essay, the author
- Opines that budiansky's article, "math lessons for locavores", addresses the topic of locally grown food and argues it as a more sustainable choice in terms of freshness and seasons.
- Explains that food waste is harmful on an individual's health, but also environmentally. if individuals were to buy food locally it would reduce the distance food travels in miles, cut down on fossil fuels, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Explains why our obesity rate has plummeted in the last decades. food inc, a documentary discussing the truth behind the food industry, states that knowing where food comes from can help us make wiser choices that will benefit our health
- Opines that buying locally will help the market, as it retains a greater portion of value-added costs captured by large firms.
- Opines that buying food locally will establish a better lifestyle for all americans. agriculture makes up 2 percent of our nation's energy usage, which is used for farming machinery and manufacturing fertilizer.
- Opines that if we choose locally grown food, we will be changing the way we live, eat, and all other physical and mental aspects for choosing them.
909 wordsRead More - Benefits Of The Locavore Movementanalytical essayWould you sacrifice the state of your world for the sake of seemingly better-tasting produce? The rising tide of the locavore movement, a crusade that aims to promote local produce consumption, has washed over several American towns. This concept appears to ameliorate the lives of few American farmers and yield flavorful harvests, but at what cost? Despite the fact that the locavore movement has improved the state of several rural towns, its global provisions prove to be nominal.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the rising tide of the locavore movement, a crusade that aims to promote local produce consumption, has washed over several american towns.
- Analyzes how the misinterpreted definition of locally grown food reinforces a common misconception of the movement's actual health benefits.
- Explains that while some claim that the locavore movement has improved the state of local environments, the energy required to grow produce has been widely overlooked.
- Analyzes how the growing locavore movement causes a chain reaction of distress throughout the world. the u.k. relies on kenya for beans, and vice versa.
- Opines that a global agricultural crash would be caused by the shift of demand for produce from various farms worldwide to only the few proximal ones in the united states.
794 wordsRead More - A Study: The Poisonwood Bibleanalytical essay... ridiculous to Anatole that we have fruits and vegetables that are grown somewhere else and then driven miles and miles to the supermarket. The clash of the two cultures makes me wonder if the “American” way is better. It is pretty ridiculous that people can’t grow their own food and only rely on the labor of others.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how kingsolver illustrates that many do not seem to realize the impact of going into a country and asking them to change their religion, way of developing food, or their education system.
- Analyzes how the american and african ways of life are two different worlds. leah realizes that in congo, the land owns the people. nathan price has the least understanding of the congolese culture.
- Analyzes how adah's disability allows her to appreciate what the kikongo can do.
- Opines that she was an interesting character because she changed their views on certain things. she understands that mothers often make tough choices regarding her children.
- Opines that the people do not want to baptize their children, do they not realize that they can obtain forgiveness for their sins?
- Opines that it would be best if you guys left the congo right now, one word, independence.
- Analyzes how rachel, the eldest of the prices sister, would reflect how most americans would react if they were to live in kikongo.
- Analyzes the impact of the passage on the work as a whole.
- Analyzes how adah's childhood energy was spent on feeling betrayed by her mother, while her adulthood spent overcoming her guilt for the injustice imposed on the congolese.
- Analyzes how adah's disability is what makes her the most powerful and effective narrator. she is inferior in the novel, although she has an identical twin sister.
- Opines that adah hasn't tweeted since he broke his arm in leopoldville.
- Opines that jesus christ lost the election, or could it be that i am losing him?
- Opines that paris hilton doesn't stand a chance against them.
- Opines that the congo was a nightmare turned into reality. ruth may, what if we had left earlier?
- Analyzes how captivity strained the price family and the people of the congo, reflecting the idea that freedom is harder to achieve than it seems.
- Analyzes how kingsolver differentiates the price sisters by using tone, diction, and syntax.
- Explains that adah's limp in the poisonwood bible can be considered her "adornment" in that her limp was rare and it distinguished her.
- Analyzes how kingsolver developed each character without any confusion, and the transformation that the sisters had was natural and well captured.
3335 wordsRead More - Agriculturalcomparative essayOver time, as farming became more popular, the United States thrived on agriculture. It became an important issue especially to Thomas Jefferson. He was a key person in leading the agricultural development of the United States. Thomas Jefferson believed in agrarianism and thought highly of farmers. An agriculture leader should understand why agriculture is important and how to improve and also maintain a good status agriculturally. And Thomas Jefferson held all these qualities. He did what was best for the farmers as well as others in the United States. And by him being a great leader agriculturally, many others in the government kept his ideas in mind. That is what made this country strong, we develop from our past and in effect our country has grown stronger. For example, In 1970- a farmer could provide enough for 2 people In 1935- a farmer could provide enough for 10 people In 1992- a farmer could provide enough for 127 people In 1998- a farmer could provide enough for over 130 people This shows a growth in efficiency.
In this essay, the author
- States that the american indians were the first farmers in the western hemisphere, demonstrating the united states as a leader in agriculture.
- Concludes that the united states is the world leader in agriculture due to the people, the land, leadership, development, and strength.
591 wordsRead More