Colloquium Blog #5

What are the major elements of "sustainable" farming? How are ecological principles woven into this framework? Do you buy organic or "naturally" labeled foods? Why or why not? Do you feel connected or disconnected to the current food system? What is the role of the "Third Frontier" in this phenomenon? If there were space on campus, would you be interested in growing your own vegetables (or, if the thought of vegetables makes you wince, fruit instead)?

The major elements of sustainable farming are organic pesticides, free range grazing, natural fertilizers (manure, compost, etc.) is on a more local level (no further than 100 miles), and much more. Sustainable farmers use traps to kill animals in comparison to the industrial farmers, that use chemicals to eradicate them. The sustainable farms are usually small and are no larger than five acres. The produce from these farms are mostly seen in local farmers markets. In my opinion, I would say that they are the better looking and tastier produce in comparison to the highly manufactured and chemical induced produce from industrial farms. Ecological principles are woven into this framework because it goes along with its name, it is the most sustainable, and therefore has a lesser impact on the environment. Since less chemicals are used, less chemicals that are being drained into the main water source. Natural fertilizers, help to improve the land, and tend to maintain an ecosystem longer, than by using harmful synthetic fertilizers, which can damage it.

I do not buy organic or “naturally” labeled foods, and if I do it’s on rare occasions. I find them to be over priced and think that the term organic has been used as a mere marketing gimmick. There are products out there that stick true to their promise of being organic, but there are many others that don’t and just say that they are, when in reality the produce were treated with a synthetic chemical. I feel that I am very connected to the current food system. I always look into the ingredients of a product before buying it, and I tend to go for healthier options, over the junk food. The role of the “Third Frontier” in this phenomenon is that people don’t really know what they are putting in their bodies. Many people have no clue as to exactly how many herbicides, pesticides, and other synthetic chemicals were used to grow their food. Many people have no idea as to where the meat that they are eating came from, and the life of the animal that was killed to feed them.

If I had a choice to grow my own vegetables/fruits on campus I would. In fact, there are actually people  who are growing carrots and I believe tomatoes in the outside gardens at the Arts Complex. Not many people know this but it's true. Being able to grow my own food would be a great experience and would also teach me how much work that actually goes into producing the vegetables/fruits. As a plus, it save me time and money from having to head over to the super market as much.