Earth Day is always a good time to reflect on how we treat the environment, and the actions and improvements we’re making for the betterment of our planet. Farmers use the land to produce fruits, vegetables, and grains and graze livestock. Because our farmers and ranchers are so closely tied to the earth and its valuable resources, they are continuously looking for new management practices to improve their land, which means so much to them.
I am a staunch advocate of organic and sustainable agriculture. I am very concerned about the proliferation of GE crops in this country and abroad. I am unconvinced that there is "no proof of harm to animals or humans." There is no evidence of increased yields from GE plants. Studies in the UK have found GMO's to cause organ failure in rats. Why is it that farmers in the US are so tied to this technology, and defend it almost like they are defending the Stars and Stripes? The biotech companies who sell them this seed have them over a barrel and they defend it? I just don't understand. Why are farmers willing to be shills for these biotech companies?
We use oil to produce fertilizer, to grow corn, to feed it to cattle and chickens. If we didn't use the oil for fertilizer, and we didn't feed our animals corn. Then what? Grass fed beef and free range chickens? How will the oil and chemical companies make their money? Without oil and chemicals we would have higher food prices in the beginning, but I believe in the long run the quality of food would out weigh the cost.
do you believe that america needs a national flood control and irrigation system that could put millions of unemployed workers to work immediately?
GMO? Everything and anything you know about gmo.
Food making devices engineering for better food delivered from fast food restaurants. For example, fresh vacuum packed food delivered made into healthy fast food from engineered food making devices would increase the American health for a stronger worker and economy. Have farmers thought of working with engineers to make better use of the food in resturants and fast food America? For example, CHAI SEEDS have higher protein content than steak, higher calcium than milk, has minerals and all the oils useful for health. CHAI SEEDS added to school food for kids, and fastfood in raw form could raise the nations health. There are many solutions to cover the cradle to cradle life cycle economy for true value. Who has done this work in simple common sense solutions?
Food packaging to stay fresh so people get fresh food rather than canned or frozen. What technology exists to vacuum pack food for longer life for the market? Fresh food means healthy Americans for a stronger economy.
Greenhouses!! One of the largest factors in agriculture is the weather. Rain, no rain, little heat, excessive heat, no heat, water, etc. If I remember correctly, the Israeli greenhouses were fought over by the Palestinians as important to their survival. The peace process hinged on the Isrealis leaving their greenhouses to the Palestinians. What are we doing to develop greenhouse technology? Why are some countries like Isreal and Mexico more advanced in greenhouse technology than the U.S.?? Would a country go to war over our greenhouses as in the Israel case? We can not change the weather but can we build greenhouses to defy the weather? Isn't the future of farming efficient, computerized, greenhouses?
What is the best method to build a grain drill?
I was wondering if any of the farmers/ranchers on this site know anything about growing chocolate. I am doing research on the agricultural food system from the cocoa through the players of the system all the way until Nabisco Chips Ahoy reach the consumer. I was wondering if any of you could help me. Thanks!
Hello, Im a new farmer with a small 5acr farm of grapefruits and im tring to find out how much i can sell my grapefruits for by pound or crate i think a crate is 90lbs? PLEASE HELP!
What role will Aquaponics and Hydroponics play in future farming?
If ag seed and chemical companies are verbalizing the importance of best practices, and require farmers BOTH private and corporate, the contract farming practices, why don't these billion dollar corporations require their growers to follow the best conservation practices relating to storm water runoff and erosion? These companies could be major players who help improve the natural resources
I've heard many consumers ask why farming can't go back to the way it was several decades ago. What are the benefits of today's production agriculture that consumers simply don't hear about or understand?
Considering routine practices (on some operations) such as application of toxic sewage sludge and regular medication of otherwise healthy livestock due to poor/inhumane conditions, do you agree that much of the current American agriculture system is inherently unsafe? How would you suggest we go about changing it to better reflect the food safety expectations of consumers?
Small, biodiverse family farms have been well documented around the world to produce more total food per acre than large monocultures due to biological and ecological synergies and efficiencies. How can agricultural marketing and distribution channels be made more compatible with polyculture farming?
What water policy changes do we need to make in the East and West of the U.S.?
Farmers and consumers in many countries throughout the global north and the global south have rejected both the ecological risks and the economic/legal terms posed by transgenic (GMO) seeds. How does this reality affect U.S. farmers' decisions on what types of seeds to plant?
How does modern beef and dairy production today compare to 30 years ago (number of animals, acres of land used today as compared to 30 years ago)?
Local and sustainable are words used in many media discussions about food, consumer purchases, and upscale restaurants. Can you share what local and sustainable means. Can there be not-local and sustainable?
Right now the FDA has draft guidance representing the FDA's current thinking on voluntary labeling of foods indicating whether foods have or have not been developed using bioengineering. Why isn't the approach to mandate labeling instead of making it voluntary?
Why can't organic approaches be used in all ag food production farms?
FROM THE FOOD MANUFACTURE ON JANUARY 25, 2012
Unlikely allies billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and the Crop Protection Association Society (CPA) have both called for more research into high-tech food production systems, including Genetic Modification techniques, as a way to tackle food poverty.
In support of a national effort to strengthen the image of agriculture and enhance public trust in today’s agricultural production practices, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and John Deere announce that the company will become a member of the Premier Partner Advisory Group (PPAG).
Farmer Meggie Foster and her husband Dallas hosted a group of visitors from China for an official farm tour. The delegates were part of a group of upper management professionals from a pig farm in China and wanted to learn more about how American farmers raised pigs with more modern resources.
Did you thank a farmer today or have a chance to talk to a farmer? If not, now is the time. This week we celebrated National Ag Day on Thursday, where farmers and ranchers alike come together and celebrate the traditions of farming as well as new technological advancements to help keep our industry moving forward.
hard working american people
Add as much solar and alternative energy sources as you can!
Solar and wind power, non-depleting agricultural techniques, and reusing items can help us all do the best we can to survive the upcoming environmental crisis.
I am like I said before a Aquaponics Farmer, for me that means growing organic Vegetables in water using fish to get my Nutrients there are no weeds and no workers to bring from outside the country to harvest my crops and no dirty hands to pick my crops. That means more people like me that can grow crops anywhere anytime of the year and in any state, which brings new jobs and new opportunities to some that may never of had any, and the biggest then for you would be lower cost and grown locally.
I think that is still a great need for our farmers, but most of the time because there is more money involved we as farmers are selling outside the country.I for one am a Aquaponic farmer. I have not yet gone commercial but expect to do so in the next year or so. Anyone can grow there own veggies in there apartment or basement or anywhere they choose inside, the Technology is there. Also if you want to grow commercially my plan projections are to raise more veggie in a third of the space a conventional farmers uses and also do it year around at a much cheaper cost then a conventional farmer. I do have proof of everything I say and it is much safer then growing in the fields.I am not sure why more people are not doing it except for one thing, remember this is not just a new idea it has been around for a 1000 years or more. Maybe in a lot of ways its like the car industry they started making electric motors for cars a very long time ago but the oil industry discourage it. You want to find out more about this ask me or I can give you contacts of people that are doing it, some for profit and some like my case for non profit. Find out make yourself aware and grow or by your veggies from people you know not South America or Mexico. Right here in your own home town the way it use to be and can be again. lets bring it home again.
We are honest and humble about our role in feeding the world in a healthy and responsible manner.
Technology leads to greater accessibility to healthy and affordable food for a greater population. It is an ethical viewpoint that we feed the world and reduce poverty and increase healthy consumption.
That you should really look at the world 'sustainable.' For example, there are many 'big,' modern farms out there with the 4th,5th,6th generation farming them. The land and water had to be carefully protected for that to happen. Environmental concern isn't just 'small farm' concern. Farmers are farmers, and protecting land and water for generation after generation after generation, kind of sounds pretty sustainable!
I wish consumers knew that 'big' doesn't mean bad or anti-environment. I know that 'big' farmers care just as much about passing their land on to the next generation as anyone, and that they are keenly aware, big or small, that they must take care of the land, or it won't be there in the future. I also wish consumers understood that there are hungry people in the world, and they can't be fed with all 'small' operations. That said, there is room for everyone, we don't need to be adversaries, all of agriculture can work together, as long as the truth is being told.
Technology is not bad but allows my husband to raise pigs and crops in a safer manner and also allows him to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and participate in his kids activities.
The majority of farmers and ranchers really do care about the way they raise food. It sounds so basic but the better we treat our animals, the more productive and healthy they are.
Managing Inputs
Farming Limitations
Many people get confused over what “natural” or “organic” really means. See how certified naturally-grown farmer Neil Moseley defines “organic” foods. For more information and to join the conversation, visit us at www.fooddialogues.com
Overview: Earth Day is April 22 and the media is flooded with articles about what specific companies and organizations are doing to improve the environment. In some cases, this coverage paints a negative picture of the impact agriculture has on the environment, with little if any balance of information. There are a number of studies that show management practices and advances in technology have greatly lessened the environmental impact of growing and raising food.
Examples of recent Earth Day articles:
A video posted by MediaRoots.org implies that corn made from biotech seeds affects the human nervous system and that while biotech seeds were developed to help farmers improve crop yields, there is “research proving” otherwise. Among several claims, the video states, “The hope was that this biotechnology would end world hunger by creating higher crop yields. Ironically, we have found studies that indicate just the opposite. Reports have shown that genetically modified crops actually produce fewer yields.”