M6.4 Blog: Industrial Farming
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Your thoughts about the Vanishing of Bees (what else have you heard/seen about this issue?)
Prior to taking this course and watching Vanishing of Bees, I was not aware of colony collapse disorder (CCD), and the issues surrounding it. I found the documentary both eye-opening and troubling. It was incredibly distressing to learn how the use of systemic pesticides is negatively impacting honey bees, and their ability to pollinate crops. Additionally, I was saddened to learn that traditional knowledge provided from beekeepers, experiencing the CCD issue firsthand, has been largely ignored in the United States (U.S.). It is only when scientists are able to prove that systemic pesticides are driving the bees away that the government will take notice and truly listen. I also found it interesting that Europe has a more precautionary mindset when it comes to approving the use of pesticides. The European society and government places safety as the main priority when regulating toxic chemicals. Whereas, the U.S. places pesticides on the market first, and then looks to see what happens. As David Hackenberg (a beekeeper that was featured in the documentary) says, "The Environmental Protection Agency should remove the word 'protection' from their name."
Dirt!: The Movie
Although humans are dependent upon the earth and its dirt for survival, we seem to be doing everything within our power to destroy it through industrial monoculture farming. This type of farming is robbing the soil of its nutrients, destroying the root structure of plants, and contributing to the loss of topsoil. We have previously witnessed the damage that this kind of farming can do to the earth and its in habitants. The "Great Dust Bowl" of the 1930s took place in the Southern Plains region of the U.S. as a result of monoculture farming. This event drove many families to search for work and better living conditions elsewhere. Sadly, we still refuse to learn from our past mistakes, and to our detriment, humans continue to drain the earth of its natural resources without replenishing it with the vital nutrients that it needs. It makes complete sense that earth could reject humans as a virus, because we are attacking the earth just like a virus.
Luckily, there are individuals who are working to reverse the damage that humans have done to the earth. One example of this is where people are creating green roof projects in urban areas. This is a great way to utilize the buildings located in their community, and reduce the negative impact of development while providing numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. Green roofs can improve stormwater management by reducing runoff and improving water quality, conserve energy, mitigate urban heat, reduce noise and air pollution, sequester carbon, increase urban biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife, provide space for urban agriculture, provide a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy environment to work and live, and improve return on investment compared to traditional roofs.
Although humans are dependent upon the earth and its dirt for survival, we seem to be doing everything within our power to destroy it through industrial monoculture farming. This type of farming is robbing the soil of its nutrients, destroying the root structure of plants, and contributing to the loss of topsoil. We have previously witnessed the damage that this kind of farming can do to the earth and its in habitants. The "Great Dust Bowl" of the 1930s took place in the Southern Plains region of the U.S. as a result of monoculture farming. This event drove many families to search for work and better living conditions elsewhere. Sadly, we still refuse to learn from our past mistakes, and to our detriment, humans continue to drain the earth of its natural resources without replenishing it with the vital nutrients that it needs. It makes complete sense that earth could reject humans as a virus, because we are attacking the earth just like a virus.
Luckily, there are individuals who are working to reverse the damage that humans have done to the earth. One example of this is where people are creating green roof projects in urban areas. This is a great way to utilize the buildings located in their community, and reduce the negative impact of development while providing numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. Green roofs can improve stormwater management by reducing runoff and improving water quality, conserve energy, mitigate urban heat, reduce noise and air pollution, sequester carbon, increase urban biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife, provide space for urban agriculture, provide a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy environment to work and live, and improve return on investment compared to traditional roofs.
Were you able to discover if there is a factory farm near you? Were you already aware of farms near you? What do you think about this?:
I was able to find out that there is a dairy factory farm in Yolo County. I knew that there were dairy farms near me, but I was not aware of any factory farms. After, having learned more about concentrated animal feed operations (CAFO) I'm conflicted on my feelings about having one located near me. On one hand these organizations help to feed the country and provide work for those in the community. However, after learning more about CAFOs I now know that they can create health hazards for our food. This is due to over-crowded conditions that are stressful to animals, which make it easier for disease to spread. My other concerns surrounding CAFOs include the overproduction of manure, animal welfare, and the replacement of independent farmers. Sadly, factory farms are only going to continue to grow until policy changes are made at all levels of government.
I was able to find out that there is a dairy factory farm in Yolo County. I knew that there were dairy farms near me, but I was not aware of any factory farms. After, having learned more about concentrated animal feed operations (CAFO) I'm conflicted on my feelings about having one located near me. On one hand these organizations help to feed the country and provide work for those in the community. However, after learning more about CAFOs I now know that they can create health hazards for our food. This is due to over-crowded conditions that are stressful to animals, which make it easier for disease to spread. My other concerns surrounding CAFOs include the overproduction of manure, animal welfare, and the replacement of independent farmers. Sadly, factory farms are only going to continue to grow until policy changes are made at all levels of government.
Composting: Do you currently compost? Have you composted in the past? Do you know anyone who composts? Would you consider composting, after learning about its benefits from the movie?
Currently, I do not compost and have not composted in the past. However, I do have several friends who compost in their backyard, and use this to fertilize their gardens. They take advantage of the benefits of composting which include: Enhancing water retention in soils; Reducing the need for chemical fertilizers; and promotion of higher yields of agricultural crops. After learning about its benefits, I would absolutely consider composting. In fact, my goal for this is year is to begin an organic garden in my backyard that will include a compost bin.
References:
- Henein, M., Langworthy, G., & Mosher, H. (Producers), Henein, M., & Langworthy, G. (Directors).(2009).Vanishing of Bees. United Kingdom: Hive Mentality & Hipful Films
- Benenson, B., Rosow, G., & Dailly, E.(Producers), Benenson, B., & Rosow, G. (2009). Dirt!: The Movie. United States: Common Ground Media
- Michigan State University. Benefits of Green Roof. Retrieved from: http://www.greenroof.hrt.msu.edu/benefits/index.html
- Food & Water Watch. Factory Farm Map. Retrieved from: https://www.factoryfarmmap.org/
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. Sustainable Management of Food. Reducing the Impact of Wasted Food by Feeding the Soil and Composting. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feeding-soil-and-composting.
Hello Angie! This is a great post! I definitely think that it is really interesting that the bees are vanishing and their is not a lot of media attention on this issue. People do not realize how essential bees are for human beings. Moreover, I think many people forget how essential things like dirt and bees are for our earth and our life itself.
ReplyDeleteAnother great post! I think that the government will have to take notice when we no longer have an industry of agriculture for our nation because all the honey bees have died. It was disheartening yet enlightening to learn that honey bees were so systematically important from an economic stand point. I have always thought of them as pesky little bugs who can sting really hard. No longer ...!
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