For my service learning this semester I worked on Prairie Roots Farms alongside Abby and occasionally one of her two sons. It was an eye opening experience to say the least, working on an organic farm. It was surprising how much I learned about the world by never even leaving the county and I learned even in seemingly developed areas, there are corners of it that operate by farming more than just corn. When I thought of organic farming, I thought of normal industrial farming on a scale that was much
Food systems have been in existence since the beginning of mankind. As civilizations have expanded the look of the food system has evolved to keep up with the needs of the population. Global food systems are an intricate web of food production and distribution that supply the every pocket of the world with the necessary and desired dietary resources. Global food systems provide consumers with variety and extensive meal planning options and keep producers in-demand and in production. Although we are
Agroecology is thus also taking into account the diverse social environments that exist in different communities and lead to particular agronomical practices. It amplifies and mimics natural processes, with the aim to decrease pressure on environment and protect
They indeed promote biodiversity, avoiding the use of any chemicals, while producing year-round yields. Agroecology recognizes the successfulness, proven over centuries, of community-based local agriculture, and thus serves as a bridge between modern scientific agricultural knowledge and local ones. The local management of resources and knowledge systems is elaborated
Sustainable agriculture practice. In accordance to Charles (2010) the term sustainable agriculture means “any system of food and fiber production that follows the following goals: (a) Reduction of the use of off-farm inputs that have a great potential to harm the health of farmers and consumers or the environment, (b) production of biological and genetic potential of plant and animal species, (c) profitable and efficient production with emphasis on improvements of farm management and conservation
of Heifer is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, they have helped more than 12 million families in more than 125 countries by providing profit-returning livestock and seeds, as well as training in animal well being, agroecology, water quality, gender equity and community development. Heifer guides communities to self-reliance by building holistic programs based on their twelve founding principles, known as the Cornerstones. Heifer relies on the Cornerstones to encourage
“Almost a billion people are going hungry, while we waste one third of the food we produce.” (FAO. 2013). Food security refers to the long-term availability and its availability, stability, access, and utilization. Issues that surround food security such as climate change and food sovereignty are debatably wicked problems. A wicked problem refers to a complex, persistent or reoccurring and hard to resolve issue due to its links to broader social, economic and policy issues, (Ahmed S. Khana. 2010)
Introduction Agriculture has changed tremendously, especially this 21st century after the end of World War II. As a result of population growth and world agricultural increase in food demand, productivity soared with the aid of new technologies, mechanization, increased synthetic chemical use, specialization and government policies that favored maximizing agricultural production. Although these changes have had positive effects and reduced many risks in farming, there have also been negative impacts
change as well. However, there are many variables when discussing global warming, and to attempt to breed plants that will hopefully be successful in an altered climate would likely be time wasted. As Sieglinde Snapp noted in Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development, “it is impossible to successfully develop a highly specialized and adapted technology if the conditions under which it is going to be operated are only vaguely known (2008).” While it is agreed, climate change
Our world is too small for our ever rapidly growing population. One day resources will run dry and vanish, which will bring death and loss to all nations on this planet. Many researchers and scientists have confirmed that the population will reach 10 billion by the end of the century and will continue to stream upward. There are many different ways in trying to decrease population to contain global warming and assist our environmental changes. The only way to steadily succeeding, families must be
The trend of the Slow Food Movement has existed since the 1970’s but has recently been thrusted into the fore front of prominent world issues as the cause and remedy of environmental challenges, local economic circumstances, and the complexities with social norms. The Slow Food Movement can be considered a counter-trend to Fast food. It was created in response to the augmentation of fast food a culture, the diminishment of people caring where the food comes from, and the diminishment of local food