Transcript Growing Power - University of Wisconsin

Growing Power and the impacts of
Organic Farming
Introduction
•Organic farming is defined as growing fruits, vegetables,
and plants without the use of harmful pesticides, chemicals,
or inorganic fertilizers.
•This is true, however, many people don’t realize the extent
of organic farming’s impacts on the environment.
•Organic farming doesn’t “only” not use harmful chemicals,
pesticides, or fertilizers.
•Its effects are far greater than anyone could possibly
imagine.
Which is more productive? Conventional or
Organic Agriculture
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For decades it has been believed that
conventional farms produce far more
crops per acre than organic farms.
However, a 13 year study by
scientists at the agricultural firm
AGSTAT and researchers at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison
have concluded otherwise.
In the study conventional and
organic farm systems were planted
and monitored for 13 years.
In both farms corn, soybeans, and
wheat were rotated with alfalfa to
limit variables and receive an
accurate report.
The Results and which is more
productive?
• The results indicated that the
organic farms yielded 10% less
than conventional farms.
• In other words, organic farms
produced 90% as much crops
as conventional farms did.
• From an economic and
productive standpoint,
conventional farming has a
slight edge on organic
farming…………. or does it?
Is there really a difference
economically?
•The increasing input costs of conventional agriculture have made it
so organic agriculture can compete.
• As the demand for crops(mainly corn and soybeans) grew in the
mid 2000’s, so did the demand for inorganic fertilizers and
pesticides.
• According to the Farm Business Management Association of
Illinois, conventional farmers should expect to spend about $127
per acre on a field of soybeans, and $260 per acre on a field of
corn.
• From 2003 to 2007 the average cost per acre was $52 for
soybeans, and $115 for corn
Economics cont.
• The price of inorganic
fertilizers and pesticides has
more than doubled in the last
2 years!
• Combine that with the fact
that crop prices have
plummeted over the past 6
months.
• This means that many
conventional farmers may
have a tough time making
ends meet this year.
• Sadly, fertilizer companies will
not lower their price, even
though crop prices are low.
Environmental and Global Impacts
• Unlike conventional, organic
farming does not pollute.
• In fact, farming organically may
help combat global warming.
• Instead of emitting CO2 into the
air by way of planting and
spraying, organic soils trap carbon
and use it.
• As a result, more organic matter
is created because it is made of
carbon.
• As more organic matter is
created, the soil becomes richer
and more fertile on its own.
Environmental Impacts cont.
•Use of artificial fertilizers can make soils weaker by
inhibiting growth of natural phosphate and
potassium.
• Potassium and phosphates make the soil more
resistant to wind and water erosion.
• This can be especially important to areas vulnerable
to desertification. By having a stronger, sturdier soil
places like the Sahel could be more resistant to
desertification.
How much of an impact?
• It is estimated that agriculture
accounts for 13.2 % of
greenhouse gas emissions.
• If all conventional farms in the
U.S. were converted to
organic, it could have the
same effect as taking 158
million cars off the roads!
• Some scientists believe that
converting to organic farms
has a greater impact on the
environment than planting
trees!
Local Impacts
• Organic farms are small,
versatile, and can be
managed on small plots of
land.
• This is ideal for urban
settings.
• Local economies can spur
as there will be increased
job opportunities.
• Food distribution will be
spread out more evenly.
Local Impacts cont.
• As more organic farms open up, the cost of organic
foods will go down because of increased supply.
• That, combined with the fact that there is little to no
transportation/storage costs, organic foods will
eventually be cheaper.
• This will make it easier for people, especially in poorer
areas since organics will be more accessible and cheaper
to buy.
Headed in the right direction?
• Efforts to incorporate organics
into mainstream society are
rapidly growing.
• According to the Organic Trade
Association, sales of organic
products have increased from
$1 Billion in 1990 to over $20
Billion in 2007.
• About 1 in 10 Americans eat
organic foods or use organic
products on a daily basis.
• Americans are realizing that
organic food is not only good for
your body, but also the
environment.
More could be done
• Here in the U.S. organic movements are moving
more slowly than in Western Europe.
• The European Union gives benefits and subsidies
to those who maintain organic plantations.
• The U.S. is taking a free market approach. If
someone wants to start an organic farm, they are
on their own.
• As a result, only 0.6 %(2.2 million hectares) of
North American farms are organic. 4%(7.8 million
hectares) of farmland in Europe is organic.
Growing Power Experience(What did I
do?)
• At Growing Power, I got to feel,
sense, hear, smell, and yes even
taste what it was like to work at
an organic farm.
• For the most part I shoveled
compost, hung and moved plants,
sifted worm castings, and helped
move gravel into the aquaponic
system.
• For the first hour I didn’t enjoy it.
It was raining, I was cold, wet,
and dirty.
• However, after a while, I realized
that I was serving a significant
purpose.
Growing Power, cont.
After a while, I realized that my help was making it
easier for everyone else to do their work, which in
turn, allows seeds to get planted on time.
Essentially, my work could have helped someone
down the road. Maybe my work helped plant a few
extra seeds, which will allow someone to eat that
normally couldn’t afford driving, or taking a bus to
the grocery store. It may not be a lot, but I feel a
sense of satisfaction in knowing that I may have
helped someone who needed it.
Conclusion
The facts are in, it’s time that the U.S. provides
subsidies or benefits for organic farmers. There is
simply no reason not to. As technologies have
improved and as we’ve learned more about natural
crops, organic farming has closed the gap on
production. Maybe 15 years ago conventional farms
were more efficient, but as time has passed, we’ve
began to realize that going organic may be the answer.
It’s not okay to just ignore organic farms as an option,
because they are about as efficient , and they don’t
pollute.
Conclusion cont.
There are so many positives to organic farming. Obviously,
there is no pollution involved, food distribution across
urban areas could be helped out tremendously due to the
increase in urban farms. It has been stereotyped that all
the work, cost, and labor that goes in is not worth the
output. However, with the increasingly high input costs of
conventional farming that simply isn’t true anymore. I just
hope that in the upcoming years, countries (including the
U.S.) realize that it will be inexpensive and efficient to
plant more organic crops, and more importantly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions because of it.