Unit 4
Environmental Impact of Agriculture
Agriculture touches all aspects of human civilization including climate stability, social justice, and human health. It is imperative that our food system reflects this reality and actively grow to become economically, socially, and environmentally regenerative.
History of Agriculture and the Environment
Water and oil don’t mix - where we went wrong with agriculture.
Articles:
History of Organic Farming
“The national organic standards address the methods, practices and substances used in producing and handling crops, livestock and processed agricultural products.”
Source: SARE
A Timeline of Genetic Modification in Modern Agriculture
“In the 20th century, scientists found a way to modify food faster and more precisely by changing an organism's DNA.”
Source: FDA
Importance of Healthy Soils
Starting from the ground up - why soil health is the root of all good.
Videos:
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
Stone Barns Center is monitoring soil carbon on the farm and parts of the neighboring Rockefeller State Park, with the help of Yale University's Quick Carbon project. This data can help with land stewardship for building healthy soil and guide efforts to fighting climate change
Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board
Walter Jehne discusses the role of living plants in producing sugars which feed soil microbes and help initiate healthy soils, healthy pastures and healthy farms.
Dig Deeper
An original series of short video interviews with leading farmers, ranchers, academics, scientists, activists, and authors covering a wide range of topics related to soil health and function.
Source: Soil Solutions
Carbon and Climate
Soil carbon released into the atmosphere is bad.
Videos:
Center for Food Safety
Soil Solutions to Climate Problems - Narrated by Michael Pollan
Kiss the Ground
“Pashon Murray of Detroit narrates this story of soil and how it could save our planet & reverse climate change.”
Dr. Elaine Ingham
“Climate Change poses an existential threat to humanity. Soil Carbon Sequestration is widely being recognized as a part of the solution to this problem.”
Fair World Project
“A 17-minute documentary highlighting the role of industrial agriculture in climate change while expounding on how small farmers are combating the climate crisis through regenerative organic agriculture.”
Livestock and the Environment
How livestock can help restore carbon to the soils.
Articles:
Market Potential For US Grass Fed Beef
Source: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production
Nicolette Hahn Niman
Infographics:
Source: Sacred Cow
