Wild Willow Farm Observation

516 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Benefits and flaws of service learning community service

I volunteered at Wild Willow Farm and Education Center on March 25, 2017 from 10 AM to 3 PM. I felt as if this session gave me a better understanding of the farm and all the activities it entails compared to when we went as a full class during our lab period. With less than half the class present and the experiment in full swing, this visit involved much more labor and less petting of the goats than my first trip. I can fully admit that I did not expect to work as much as I did. I carpooled with two girls from my lab group and I was glad to have them alongside of me so we could experience the community service learning together, so when it comes time to present on the cover crop experiment at the end of the semester, we can all expand on our shared involvement. …show more content…

While capturing images, I saw firsthand the fickleness of farming. Despite all being planted at the same time, some tomato plants have begun to wither with the extreme heat and harsh sunlight. Before this class began, I always rolled my eyes at how expensive local produce is at farmers’ markets and I often chose to buy produce from the grocery store. I knew the environmental impact of my actions— shipping food from place to place adds unnecessary carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, speeding up global climate change— but I wanted to save money. Now, with what I have seen and experienced at the farm, I have learned that their prices are just. Farmers put everything they have into their livelihood of farming, yet they often have little control over their total crop. I would never be able to commit my entire life to farming, as I need full control over everything I

Show More
Related

  • Barbara Kingsolver Called Home

    1391 Words  | 3 Pages

    Moreover, this system of mass farming leads to single crop farms, which are ecologically unsafe, and the unnatural treatment of animals (Kingsolver 14). These facts are presented to force the reader to consider their own actions when purchasing their own food because of the huge economic impact that their purchases can have. Kingsolver demonstrates this impact by stating that “every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we

    Read More

  • Barry Estabrook's Tomatoland

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tomatoland is a book written by Barry Estabrook, an investigative food journalist. Throughout the pages of Tomatoland, Estabrook explores the path of tomatoes, from the seed in South America to the hands of migrant workers in the fields of Florida. Through his exploration he discovers several issues that exist within the fresh tomato industry in Florida. Two of the major issues that he discovers include the use of highly toxic chemicals that cause severe damage to the health of humans and the environment, and the exploitation of migrant workers. Estabrook directly blames the continuation of such issues on those who support the tomato industry, “it’s a world we’ve all made, and one we can fix”; this includes consumers, crew bosses, the government and the corporate farm owners, like the executives and those who work in the business side of farming. Although there are many who are at fault, Estabrook directs his blame more towards the government and the farms corporate owners. Estabrook’s assessment of blame is substantial because the government and owners of the tomato corporations are the ones who have the strongest power towards regulations and production.

    Read More

  • Chipotle Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    1791 Words  | 4 Pages

    In recent years, it is not even necessary to turn on the news to hear about the bad reputation farming has been getting in recent years. What with the media focusing on things like drugs in animals and Pink Slime, or Lean Finely Textured Beef, it is a wonder that people are eating “non-organic” foods. However, many pro-farming organizations having been trying to fight back against these slanders. Still, the battle is not without heavy competition, and a good portion of it comes from Chipotle, a fast food Mexican restaurant that claims to only use completely organic ingredients in their food. Chipotle is constantly introducing advertisements claiming to have the natural ingredients while slandering the name of farmers everywhere. Perhaps the most well-known is “The Scarecrow,” a three minute ad that features some of the most haunting images Chipotle has ever featured. While “The Scarecrow” uses tear-inducing images and the almost eerie music to entice the audience to the company’s “free-range farming” ideals, it lacks substantial logos yet, it still

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Forget Shorter Showers By Derrick Jensen

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    As Jensen points out, farming and industry accounts for the vast majority of total water usage in the world (477). The increasingly scarce resource is a necessary ingredient when growing food. Technology continuously improves to make it easier for farmers to grow crops while using less water. Scientists at the University of Georgia utilize what they term “variable rate irrigation” to let farmers automate the current systems of irrigation to water only the crops that need it (Gies). This is an example of retrofitting current farms, but there is a new way of farming coming to cities that reuses practically all of its water and stakes claim much less acreage in the process. The future of agriculture belongs to vertical and urban farming. These types of farms reduce the use of water, chemicals (such as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides), soil and space (The Economist). These farms are so cutting edge that they are mostly in the experimental stages. Firms like Famgro farms are testing “stackable” farming systems that can scale with demand, even further reducing waste. Famgro’s stackable farms are ideal for cityscapes where land is at a premium; furthermore, reaping the added benefit of being in close proximity to the customers that they serve. Customers will enjoy high quality, fresh produce at only a slightly

    Read More

  • Wendell Berry's The Pleasures Of Eating: Analysis

    1606 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is true that growing foods on a farm show that there 's no bad “chemicals” added in the food which starts all out as seeds. If only it weren’t for the fact that again, college students just don’t have time. Along with that, some students live alone in an apartment complex and, I’m sure not too many apartments have an outside area big enough for a private garden. As a college student myself, I find it easier just going to the grocery stores and farmer’s markets to get my food; then again, I still live with my parents and they pay for the groceries. Thankfully, I don’t have to travel to the real farms to get farm-fresh produce; the food comes to local places like the hospital and downtown on certain dates. I suppose a tip for college students; in reality, traveling to the grocery store is easier because it’s a once-per-week-deal while keeping watch over a garden is an every-day-deal and students have things to keep up

    Read More

  • My Service Learning At Harvest Hope Food Bank

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    Selecting to do my service learning at Harvest Hope Food Bank was a very impactful experience. This was so, because of the fact that I have never volunteered at a food bank until now. The organization was able to connect me with the required skills I will practice throughout my career as a professional social worker, therefore better preparing me for assisting clients who may be dependent on my services.

    Read More

  • Community Involvement Project: Reading Partners

    1548 Words  | 4 Pages

    I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at the elementary school. It opened my eyes to a few of the problems in our communities. I was able to make others aware of those problems through volunteering and being proactive. I am going to continue with the program for as long as I am able to do so. If only we had millions of these programs across the globe, many other children would be able to benefit and develop the skills to succeed educationally.

    Read More

  • Change Point Center Reflection

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    I enjoyed this experience so much, that I decided to go back to volunteer for Change Point, and will be going there once a week. This experience had the impact it did because I got to connect with the community in which change Point serves and help assist others. By doing this, I gained hands-on experience in which will help me in my future career. I also was able to enhance my skills in being a leader and in communication. The parenting classes that I taught to others not only helped them but also helped me.

    Read More

  • Organic Farming vs Factory Farming

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many consumers and farmers have discovered that living in an industrialized culture where the focus has become faster, bigger, and cheaper is not the best way to produce our food. Obsessed with productivity, the agriculture industry is reaping the negative consequences of creating an unsustainable environment for food production. Time and time again, the media captures stories regarding deadly bacterial contamination and dangerous pesticide contamination causing illness and death in our communities. The environment is also damaged and contaminated. This devastating trend, due to irresponsible farming practices as a result of the industrialization of the food industry, has become all too common. Returning to organic farming, which our grandparents referred to as farming, and reclaiming our food is not only our choice, it is our right.

    Read More

  • Organic versus Conventional Farming

    1455 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...nnected to nature and have the responsibility of providing the world food, clothing, and a great deal of other things as well. Through it all farmers are a tight-knit group of men and women who have a mutual respect of nature and each other regardless of what type of farming they choose.

    Read More

  • Problems of the Food System

    2097 Words  | 5 Pages

    Farmers are essentially the back-bone of the entire food system. Large-scale family farms account for 10% of all farms, but 75% of overall food production, (CSS statistics). Without farmers, there would be no food for us to consume. Big business picked up on this right away and began to control the farmers profits and products. When farmers buy their land, they take out a loan in order to pay for their land and farm house and for the livestock, crops, and machinery that are involved in the farming process. Today, the loans are paid off through contracts with big business corporations. Since big business has such a hold over the farmers, they take advantage of this and capitalize on their crops, commodities, and profits. Farmers are life-long slaves to these b...

    Read More

  • Reflection On Volunteering

    1778 Words  | 4 Pages

    I think this entire experience has been amazing and everyone should volunteer at least once in their life. It might even change their major! I had already planned on working with my community, specifically in the behavioral/mental health area, so this experience just opened my eyes to how much of a difference I can make by such simple gestures. This class was a way for me to get out of my comfort zone and now I will continue to volunteering even after this class ends. I will be moving to Lexington soon and will find even more volunteer opportunities there! I realize that each community has needs as should everyone else, volunteering can really open your eyes to

    Read More

  • Effects of Agriculture on the Environment

    2078 Words  | 5 Pages

    As agriculture has become more intensive, farmers have become capable of producing higher yields using less labour and less land. Growth of the agriculture has not, however, been an unmixed blessing. It, like every other thing, has its pros and cons. Topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm labourers, increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities. These are the cons of the new improved agriculture.

    Read More

  • My Community Service Experience

    509 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the Science Museum I helped take inventory as well as help prepare for community services such as the Science Nights and Boy Scout and Girl Scout camp-ins. When I was young, I personally had the opportunity to participate in one of the Girl Scout camp-ins they hosted. I remember how the volunteers worked hard cooking our breakfast and helping with the activities. It was very rewarding to be on the giving end instead of the receiving end. The Science Nights, which are free to the public, are a good outreach to the young students in the community. These nights are a way of making education fun and exciting for the children.

    Read More

  • A Career in Farming

    1111 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ns of people since it first began. Through hundreds of years it has evolved into what it is known for today. Farming is a difficult job that requires a wide variety of skills. It is not difficult to begin a career in the agricultural field, but it is difficult to be successful. Farming is a great job but it requires a lot of hard work. As Weaver previously stated, “I love my job more and more everyday!”

    Read More

More about Wild Willow Farm Observation

Open Document