Jacqueline Mendez

Feb. 27
th
, 2014
English 112
Sustainable agriculture
The majority of the Unites States Population today buys their food from grocery stores
that supply them with their product, most of which has been scientifically modified, produced,
and handled to satiate the industrial need for mass production. These foods have been produced
using methods which have disrupted and damaged the environment, and have put citizens health
and future at risk. Without agriculture there is no civilization. Agriculture is a very large factor in
our society ranging from the food we consume to the health of the environment. In recent years
the quality and safety of food has diminished due to conventional farming, and has now become
detrimental to society and environment. Farmers must start using sustainable methods for
agricultural production.
The foods at the grocery stores labeled 'Organic' earned the certification by meeting the
criteria of the United States Department of Agriculture. There are production process standards,
crop standards, livestock standards, and handing standards which have to be practices in order to
attain the organic certification. Before farmers can begin their process the land they are working
on may not have had any non-organic product applied to it for three years. There cannot be any
genetically modified (GM) foods, organisms, or seeds being used at any time during the entire
growing and production process. Biodiversity is supported, and the uses of compost, as well as
manure are promoted by the methods of crop rotation, and composting. Organic farmers must
handle all pests, weeds and diseases with the use of physical, mechanical, and biological
practices. (EPA website).
Conventional methods are an issue mainly due to its destruction. Global warming is now
common knowledge, and we've continued to support the behavior, and abuse of technology of
corporations with financial priorities. Conventional farming today uses fertilizers, herbicides,
pesticides, radiation, and a large portion of farmers also uses GM products to grow their crops.
These GM crops include corn, a crop now used to make the ingredient corn syrup, which is now
in almost all foods. Conventional farmers also use a nitrogen based fertilizer for the soil which
seeps into the ground, and pollutes ground water as well as waterways. This is in addition to
producing one of the most powerful greenhouse gas called, nitrous oxide (1st book). Organic
farmers must use natural methods for fertilizing the soil. They have to use compost, or manure
for their crops. Compost is derived from kitchen waste, and natural waste such as yard clipping
or leaf litter. Once the compost process is completed it provides essential nutritious soil for the
crops to absorb and grow. Petleum energy was used to power farm equipment, and
petrochemicals were developed into cheap fertilizers and pesticides (1st book). These are derived
from petroleum, which is also used to make oil, and is harmful to the Earths air quality.
Farmers have to protect their crops from weeds and insects which compete, and absorb
nutrients intended for the planted crop. Conventional farmers use chemical herbicides to kill
harmful weeds. "Organophosphates are used in nerve gas, a chemical weapon classified by the
United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. Organophosphates are also used in many
insecticides and herbicides. They are found in trace amounts on commercial fruits and
vegetables" (2nd book). This means that consumers who purchase, and ingest conventional
produce are absorbing a chemical used as a weapon of mass destruction. Although the EPA says
that because there are such small amounts of these chemicals on the produce, and that it is not
harmful to humans, organic farmers do not use chemical insecticides or herbicides. Instead,
organic farmers are required to physically weed out the harmful plants, and promote biodiversity
through crop rotation. Crop rotation is when farmers alternate the species of plants grown to
return nutrients that have been depleted from previous growing seasons. If a diverse number of
plants are grown, the existence of the species of plants planted is prolonged. By alternating
plants, farmers are reducing the chance that these plants will become endangered or extinct,
which is now becoming an epidemic all in its own.
For the problem of invasive insects, organic farmers use other insects, and traps in their
favor. Ladybugs and spiders have a mutualistic relationship with crops. Both the crop and the
insect are sustaining each other: the plants are no longer terrorized by harmful pests, and in
return the good insects are able to find food, and shelter. Thanks to bugs like ladybugs who are
natural predators of insects which are harmful to crops, farmers are riding the plants of pests
naturally without the risk of harming those who will be eating the produce.. Weeds may also
develop an immunity to herbicides, which is why prolonged use of such products are not
recommended. Immunity responses in insects are also possible, and have already occurred with
insects such as mosquitos and DDT (2
nd
book). Organic farmers are reducing the chance of
creating a super bug which could potentially be harmful to humans and immune to all
pesticides by rejecting the use of natural methods.
Genetically modified organisms or foods have been scientifically derived to kill invading
insects, viruses, and to mass produce. (2nd book) The GM organisms are created by altering the
DNA of one plant with the desired trait of another plant. Although there are no recorded side
effects to GMO, it has not been extensively researched. "GM crops were first introduced in the
United States in 1996."(2
nd
book) Similar to the chemical herbicides and pesticides, viruses and
insects may build immunity, and present a risk of wiping out the entire supply of a certain crop
forever. Organic farmers are required to grow organic seeds only, and do not use any genetically
modified food or organisms in any of their practices or methods.
Conventional livestock farmers are just as harmful to the environment and citizens as
conventional agriculture. Their practices include the use of antibiotics, growth hormones,
medications, and more often than not, confine the animals in closed building for the majority, if
not the entirety of the animals existence. Unfortunately the only time the animals that have been
confined only see sunlight when they are being transported to a slaughter factory to be killed and
sold. They also make the mistake of feeding them GM feed even though it is not their natural
diet. Take cows for example, they are natural grazers, but are feed GM corn when raised through
conventional methods. This feed is designed to fatten cows for the purpose of mass production,
and unfortunately also produces larger portions of methane, one of the most harmful greenhouse
gases. In addition to the lack of proper food, there have been numerous videos which have
submerged showing the mistreatment through physical and mental abuse of animals such as
chickens, cows, and pigs. These videos display the misery, stress, and sickliness these animals
endure for consumers due to the great numbers of animals in one space, and lack of proper
medical, and moral care.
Conventional farmers use antibiotics often due to the high risk of illness as a result of
there being so animals in small quarters. Illnesses within these farm animals are common and
thus, the farmer's animals are given medications and antibiotics for the entire duration of their
lives. Organic livestock farmers are not authorized to use antibiotics, hormones or medication. In
the event that an animal becomes ill, the farmer is required to tend to it, and get authorization
from the EPA for use of any medication before treating. Their animals are also required to have
access to the outdoors and pastures to graze and live naturally, as well as a clean quarters for the
livestock to reside in.
At the Organic Valley Farm in Oregon Ben Bensen, a dairy farmer is on a first name
basis with his 230 milk cows, 200 heifers, and calves. His methods include the moral treatment
of his farm animals. He explains mutualism when he talks about how he wants his cows to be
happy because he knows that if his cows are happy and healthy, he will be too. It has been ten
years since Bensen switched to organic methods of farming. He expresses his only concerns at
the time being the health of his cows without the antibiotics, as pharmaceuticals have been
pushing regular treatments as essential for the animals well-being. Indeed, about 80 percent of
antibiotics in the United States go to farm animals leading to the risk of more antibiotic-
resistant microbes, which already cause infections that have killed some 100, 000 Americans
annually (Kristof)
Organic farming has been growing in popularity for a reason. More and more people are
realizing that eating food which has been produced through conventional methods is unhealthy,
and bad for the environment. Those who wish to save money take a step further and begin their
own edible gardens, and make their own compost. This is exactly what needs to continue. After a
while it becomes a domino effect of good outcomes, and endless possibilities. Take at home
composting for example. If at home composting took place, it would reduce kitchen waste, the
trash would not have to be taken out as often, garbage trucks wouldnt have to stop as much, the
compost would produce naturally nitrous fertilizer and soil for a garden, which would cut down
on grocery bills, and if all goes well even trips to the grocery store would be reduced resulting in
a savings in car emissions being released, and polluting the air. All of these outcomes are
beneficial for human health, as well as the environment.
When it comes to Organic versus Conventional methods there is no denying that organic
is the smarter way to go. Supporting organic farmers and producers would be a vote for change
in the way food is grown and produced. Although the number of organic farmers is growing,
conventional farming still dominates the majority of the way the worlds food is produced. This
needs to change, and there is only one way to change it in this consumer driven world: by buying
USDA certified organic products.