“Farming’s Effects on the Environment”

1. “Farming’s Effects on the Environment” …and the poor environment’s effects on our food!

2. …the effects we see on our food • “According to UK studies,” • “dramatic reductions of mineral content of crops between 1930s and 1980s” • What does this mean? • Eating a carrot in 1930 did more for your body than eating one now!

3. What differences did we see? • “Fruit: less magnesium, copper, iron, and potassium” • “Veggies: less calcium, magnesium, copper, and sodium” • Similar reductions have been seen in US investigations.

4. Why? • “Causes could be:” • “lesser varieties of crops/less nutritious ones being raised” • We are choosing crops that grow larger and faster and not selecting crops for their nutrient content. • “changes to soil nutrition” • “changes to farming practice”

5. Why does farming affect the crops? • “Farming practices can replace or deplete elements used by crops.” • So in other words, old-fashioned practices replace and renew the soil. • Modern practices deplete the soil, leaving nothing for the next crop.

6. How does this affect us? • “Don’t know yet how many people are affected, or how.” • However, considering the increase in diseases like cancers that are prevented with antioxidants… • This could be a big problem!

7. “Effects on Environment” • We must keep in mind that organic does not indicate eco-friendliness directly. • However, “Food production practices for organic foods are rooted in resource conservation.”

8. What does that mean? • Many of the same people who are starting organic farms or organic companies also feel a loyalty to environmental causes. • So often, they are choosing eco-friendly practices that go hand-in-hand with organic farming.

9. What DOES the USDA require environmentally for organic labels? • “USDA organic does require:” • “soil improvement” • “avoidance of erosion” • “avoidance of chemical contamination” • “methods that minimize pollution”

10. What other labels can I look for? • Besides organic, there are other catchphrases you can look for on your products for eco-friendliness. • However, “Other catchphrases are not government-regulated.” • So it’s not a guarantee.

11. “Some certifying groups are more legit than others, do your research!” • http://www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/ • Great for making sense of it all! • Find out which products are covered by which certifications, and which are more legit than others

12. “Food Alliance” • “safe, fair working conditions” • “sustainable farming” • “no GMOs, hormones, limit pesticides”

13. “Fair-Trade” • “sustainable farming, fair prices to workers” • Often, farm workers make very little and the owner of company or seller takes home the money.

14. “Rainforest Alliance Certified” • “crops support rainforest health” • Common on coffee, chocolate, wood products • Trees are replanted, farming encourages future growth

15. “Bird-Friendly” • “coffee growing that protects bird habitats” • Non-bird-friendly practices include monoculture, large fields with no shade, no plant borders along rivers and streams.

16. “Jersey Fresh” • “produce from Jersey!” • Why would this be environmentally friendly? • “Food only transported short distance; few fossil fuels used”

17. We can also protect the environment with our choices on the food chain. • Which food would require the least energy, plants or animals? • “Raising plants requires less energy than raising animals.”

18. Picture the trophic pyramid. • Foods lower on the pyramid use more direct sunlight. • So we can either use plant energy to live, or use an animal that used the plant energy first. • Crops used to feed cattle could just be used to feed humans instead!