...Sustianable Farms vs. Industrial Farms Jonathan Castro DeVry University Unfortunately animal abuse is a common theme. When one thinks of animal abuse the first thought might be a dog or cat being mistreated by the owners or not being properly fed. We think of zoo animals being mishandled and we think of circus animals and the brutal and extensive training they endure. I say brutal because many of these circus animals are whipped by their handlers. Seldom do many people think of the torture farm animals go through before their body parts are shipped across the nation to grocery stores. Such harsh treatment to farm animals could be prevented if more people were aware of the living conditions industrial farm animals are placed in and the con’s of buying from a local farm. There is a nationwide epidemic of industrial farms torturing farm animals to be placed at your local grocery store. Beef cattle while in transport spend hours without food and water causing stress, which leads to illness. The cattle are skinned alive before having their throat sliced. Dairy cows wear out very quickly due to the constant stress of having to produce large quantities of milk. The chickens also have it very rough in industrial farms. They are cramped in tight spaces with not even enough room to spread their wings. Many of these chickens, due to the unnatural conditions they are placed in, develop respiratory illnesses among other disorders such as weak bones, which easily break...
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...Organic Vs. Conventional “The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and the perfection of human beings” (Fukuoka 119). Agriculture is one of the most important determinants of the quality of non-urban areas, one that can create a cultural identity of an area. But despite the cultural identity it can give, farming and agriculture also provide food which is needed for all living organisms to survive. Nevertheless, the processes and methods of producing the food are split between two very different ideas: Conventional or Organic agriculture. Conventional farming describes any farming not dedicated to alternative methods. Fundamentally, conventional farming is the kind of farming which dominated the 20th century and which accounts for most farming today. In conventional farming, chemical plant protectants, chemical fertilizers and intensive mass animal farming are common. The term “conventional farming” draws its meaning from the contrast to alternative farming methods such as organic farming. Conventional farming methods date back to the Industrial Revolution, which gave birth to newly invented machinery. This new machinery began producing goods with greater efficiency and output, which had previously been made by hand. It was also the beginning of the transformation of society, but did not overtake agriculture as quickly as it did in other areas of production, such as textiles and printing. No doubt, that was because agriculture...
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...corporations tend to neglect their corporate social responsibilities (CSR). Chipotle, on the other hand, does not fall susceptible to this trend. Through a complete examination of Chipotle’s CSR initiatives and activities, as well as detailed explanations of Chipotle’s contributions to the three “pillars” of sustainable development, one is able to see that Chipotle is a leader and an innovator in its industry regarding the corporate management of ethical dilemmas and moral responsibilities. A thorough comparison with a similar corporation in the same industry, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Inc., provides further evidence that Chipotle places immense value corporate transparency and quality morals in addition to being a genuinely ethical and responsible corporation. Following the major comparison are explanations of possible underlying motives and “market nudges” leading Chipotle to participate in particular CSR activities. Lastly, a discussion of government initiatives and potential upcoming regulations has been included to indicate the possible future direction of every firm’s corporate social responsibilities. Does Chipotle contribute to every “pillar” of sustainable development (environmental, social and economic)? In short, the answer is yes they do, both internally (referring to Chipotle’s normal supply chain operations) as well as externally (referring to the contributions that are unrelated to the normal supply chain operations). However, it is important that one first...
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...Answer the following 3 questions. For each question, aim for ½ page answers, single-spaced. Grading will be based on a) cohesive argument; b) use of evidence/support (with citations); c) quality of writing. Role of science: What do you think the reason is for low scientific literacy and high rates of belief in pseudoscience? Is it related to positivist vs constructivist views? I believe that the high correlation between low scientific literacy and high rates of belief in pseudoscience not only stems from lack of reliable educational resources, but from other influential factors that ultimately lead to the formation of constructivist views. Constructivist stances are socially constructed by historical, social, and experiential processes (Giddens)....
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...soils in sand in few years. Bio Fertilizer .Com is one organic center with information about natural products and eco friendly energies. Information Center about how to use Solar, Wind , BioDigestors and other sources of cheap energy for houses and business. Bio Pesticides are natural products that helps in the maintenance of gardens and organic food production. Read the Biology of Microorganisms to learn more about the scientific basis. Introducing the basics of the science of Biology of Microorganisms and its applications, as fertilizers or composting for example. Organic Farming State The World of Organic Agriculture: More Than 31 Million Hectares Worldwide The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), and the Foundation Ecology & Farming (SOEL), Germany, presented the latest global data on organic farming at the BioFach fair 2006 in Nuremberg, the world leading fair for organic food. According to the survey, currently more than 31 million hectares of farmland are under organic management worldwide, a gain of around five million hectares in a single year. A major increase of organic land has taken place in China, where nearly three million hectares of pastoral land were recently certified. HUNGER: DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS? It is estimated that one billion people in the world suffer from hunger and...
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...According to Thompson, why did the Greek poet Hesiod see farming as having religious significance? (36) God is integrated into nature, thus caring for it is important. Farming is the way humans can justly occupy a place in the divine (that is natural) order and its god’s intention that this place be fraught with work toil and risk. A key message in Hesiod’s poetry is that only farmers dependent on seasons, soil, and water can hope to attain piety or show proper respect to these divinities. Farming is the way human beings justly occupy a place in the divine (that is natural) order, and it is the gods’ intention that this place be fraught with work , toil, and risk, Warfare, violence, and trickery, in contrast, are unjust in Hesiod’s poetry because they short-circuit the gods’ intended route to material rewards. According to Thompson, what value did Thomas Jefferson see in Agriculture for America’s future? Jefferson believed that the small farmers would make the most “valuable citizens” because of their investment into the land and thus their country, he believed that agriculture was way for citizens to make long term and stable decisions that also promoted patriotism. Hamilton: believed that the future of the new republic lay in trade and industrial development. Jefferson favored the strategy of filling the heart of N.American continent with freehold farmers and delaying the creation of an indigenous industrial plant as long as possible. It was in the context of this...
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...CLASS CODE: | 9GGB, 9GGD, 9GGF | TEACHER: | Dr Digan, Ms McInnes, Ms Trotter | YEAR: | 9 | COURSE TITLE: | Geography | No. OF STUDENTS: | 80 | UNIT TITLE: | Biomes and Food Security | DATE: | By 3:30 pm, Wednesday 6 April, Week 10 | TIME ALLOWED: | 7 lessons allocated | MARKS: | /60 | WEIGHTING: | 35% | Report Outline 1.0 Introduction Enforcing sustainable activities within a farm has been shown to lead to an increase in the productivity of the land, as demonstrated at Caroola farm and the campus of Mulloon Institute, the Home farm. Caroola farm is a permaculture based farm that uses organic methods of farming to develop and maintain sustainable practises. Since the bushfire(s) a couple years ago, in which pasture and fences were destroyed, Caroola Farm has come a long way in restoring and rehabilitating the land so that it can be used for agricultural purposes, through the use of sustainable practises. At the Home Farm, the emphasis in rehabilitation work is their specific focus on rehydrating the landscape through sustainable practises. This land is then used by Mulloon Institute to further research which methods are the most effective. 2.0 Background Land is Australia’s greatest asset, though increasing human activity is resulting in soil loss at a greater rate than nature’s ability to replace it. This process is known as land degradation, which refers to the decline in quality of the land. Land degradation is a current...
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...other side of the argument stems from unwanted side effects caused by GMOs such as the creation of herbicide-resistant super weeds to the loss of biodiversity and uncontrollable transfer of modified genes into the environment (Whitman 4). The benefits vs. risks that GMO’s pose in regard to the environment and human health are still inconclusive. Only rigorous scientific research and time will yield conclusive results, along with possible advancements in technology that will help address most concerns. What is clear is that we need GMO’s to be able to feed the world’s population and that the potential risk GMO’s pose to human health and the environment can vary tremendously. The labeling of GM food is necessary will address the question of accountability of the impact GMO’s and large corporations have with their “proprietary crops” to the environment and health, along with minimizing potential risk. The argument that corporate driven agriculture and bio technology are ill suited to address global hunger is incredibly complex; the factors include economic barriers that are inherent in large scale farming, displacement of the poor who rely on farming, and the use of homogenous crops that are used in nonfood products. As complex as it seems, the social and cultural aspects of what qualifies as culturally relevant...
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...Forage for Thought: Mobilizing Codes in the Movement for Grass-fed Meat and Dairy Products Klaus Weber Northwestern University Kathryn L Heinze Northwestern University Michaela DeSoucey Northwestern University This study illuminates how new markets emerge and how social movements can effect cultural change through market creation. We suggest that social movements can fuel solutions to three challenges in creating new market segments: entrepreneurial production, the creation of collective producer identities, and the establishment of regular exchange between producers and consumers. We use qualitative data on the grassroots coalition movement that has spurred a market for grass-fed meat and dairy products in the United States since the early 1990s. Our analysis shows that the movement’s participants mobilized broad cultural codes and that these codes motivated producers to enter and persist in a nascent market, shaped their choices about production and exchange technologies, enabled a collective identity, and formed the basis of the products’ exchange value.• The creation of new markets is an important engine of economic and cultural change. But new markets do not emerge naturally; rather, they often arise from collective projects that mobilize the necessary economic, cultural, and socio-political resources (Fligstein, 1996; Swedberg, 2005). A growing body of research suggests that social movements can play a central role in fueling such projects (Carroll and Swaminathan...
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...Group Assignment What role does agriculture hold for inclusive growth in Africa? Drawing lessons from the African continent, provide evidence for the emerging consensus on the future role of small-holder farming for Africa’s economic growth. Table of contents 1 Introduction 4 1.1 Definition of inclusive growth 4 1.2 Africa’s economic growth narrative 5 2 The Challenges of Africa’s Agricultural Sector 8 2.1 Issues surrounding Land Tenure and concomitant effects 8 2.2 Low diffusion and absorption of technology 11 3 The Role of Smallholder Farming for Africa’s Economic Growth – Evidence of an Emerging Consensus 13 4 Smallholder Farming Success Narratives 15 4.1 Botswana: Competitiveness of beef smallholder farmers 15 4.2 Ethiopia: Commercialisation of small scale farmers of grain 16 5 Conclusion and Recommendations 17 References 20 Agriculture and its role in inclusive growth in Africa 1. Introduction The purpose of this report is to consider the position of agriculture in Africa, and the potential that it has for improving the lives of the majority of those living on the continent. The report starts off with defining inclusive growth, and highlights how agriculture can contribute towards this phenomena as a consideration. It then talks to agricultural concepts and considerations in the African context, and attempts to identify African specific challenges and provide workable solutions. The paper also reflects on an emerging consensus advocating...
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...dairy production systems (pasture-based, conventional/confinement1, and mixed) on (i) environmental issues, (ii) social issues, (iii) economic issues, (iv) human health issues, and (v) animal welfare issues. The review was based on peer-reviewed research papers identified by experts at MSU, as well as (where specifically suggested) non peer-reviewed university and government reports. Additional studies were identified from the reference section of recommended papers, as well as via their citation index (primarily Google Scholar). A synopsis of each section is available below, as well as at the end of each section. There is a great deal of research –much of it based in the United States- on the environmental effects of all types of dairy farming, including intensive/confinement, mixed, pasture-based, and management-intensive rotational grazing (MIRG) operations. The vast majority of studies identified for this review focused on the fate and management of excess nitrogen and phosphorous, their effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and contributions to air quality and climate change. Many environmental mitigation efforts were suggested, including balancing nutrient inputs/outputs at the level of the farm, the watershed, and regionally; taking greater care in the timing of fertilizer and manure applications; increased testing for phosphorus and nitrogen in soil; and the use of riparian buffer strips and fencing to protect water bodies. In addition, many studies suggested that...
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...ADAPTATION OF ZAMBIAN AGRICULTURE TO CLIMATE CHANGE- A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE UTILISATION OF THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL REGIONS A Review For Policy Makers J S Phiri, E Moonga, O Mwangase, G Chipeta 05-04-13 Climate Change, Agriculture and Agro-Eco Regions of Zambia, A Review. ZaAS Page 1 Foreword The Zambia Academy of Sciences (ZaAS) was established for a purpose of “Promoting Excellence in Scientific and Technical Endeavours” in Zambia. I am glad to see that as a young academy, we are on the right path towards fulfilling our objectives and especially our role of advancing the cause of science and technology. I would like to reiterate that ZaAS is ready and willing to contribute, as scientists in the sustainable development of our country as we strongly believe that Zambia can truly develop only through advancement in science and technology. This Policy Brief is in line with the aspirations of the Constitution of the Academy and specifically Articles 4 and 5 that empowers the Academy to initiate studies or can be requested by stakeholders including Government or persons to undertake such research for purposes of scientific advice, guidance or for purposes of advancing science and technology in Zambia. It is in recognising this important role that the first Policy Brief addresses climate change and food security. Climate change is a challenge universally considered the single most threatening situation facing mankind today since time immemorial. This Policy Brief tackles impacts...
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...Government of India Ministry of New & Renewable Energy National Policy on Biofuels Block No. 14, C.G.O. Complex Lodhi Road New Delhi- 110003 Page 1 of 18 National Policy on Biofuels 1.0 1.1 PREAMBLE India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The Development Objectives focus on economic growth, equity and human well being. Energy is a critical input for socio-economic development. The energy strategy of a country aims at efficiency and security and to provide access which being environment friendly and achievement of an optimum mix of primary resources for energy generation. Fossil fuels will continue to play a dominant role in the energy scenario in our country in the next few decades. However, conventional or fossil fuel resources are limited, non-renewable, polluting and, therefore, need to be used prudently. On the other hand, renewable energy resources are indigenous, non-polluting and virtually inexhaustible. India is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources. Therefore, their use should be encouraged in every possible way. 1.2 The crude oil price has been fluctuating in the world market and has increased significantly in the recent past, reaching a level of more than $ 140 per barrel. Such unforeseen escalation of crude oil prices is severely straining of the developing various economies the world over, particularly those countries. Petro-based oil meets about 95% of the requirement for transportation fuels, and the...
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...Indian agro-sector has been exploiting the benefits to ICT. Innovative ICT application platforms are being created by private sector players in conjunction with local farmers. One such private initiative has been by ITC Ltd in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It has helped the farmers in many ways, such as developing of local leadership, shared ownership of the assets created in this initiative, access to the latest knowledge for the agro-sector, sustainable income levels and skill development for productivity improvement. This initiative from ITC[1] has become a benchmark today in the ICT initiatives in agro-sector. Several best practices can be learned from this initiative, namely: § ease of replicability and scalability § customization to meet the specific local needs and § organizational commitment. The success of e-choupal has heralded a new era in the Indian agro-sector. The work needs to be carried forward and replicated in the other untapped areas. Creating business channels that can create a win-win situation both business and farming community has enormous economies of scope. Once a channel is created it could be used for many products and services as shown in this case study. The main reasons for the success of the platform have been the involvement of local farmers and maintenance of the rural IT network by the corporate entity. Keywords Rural e-market, Shared Ownership, Local Leadership, Meta Market Biographical notes Dr. B. Bowonder is a Dean, Tata Management...
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...Indian agro-sector has been exploiting the benefits to ICT. Innovative ICT application platforms are being created by private sector players in conjunction with local farmers. One such private initiative has been by ITC Ltd in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It has helped the farmers in many ways, such as developing of local leadership, shared ownership of the assets created in this initiative, access to the latest knowledge for the agro-sector, sustainable income levels and skill development for productivity improvement. This initiative from ITC[1] has become a benchmark today in the ICT initiatives in agro-sector. Several best practices can be learned from this initiative, namely: § ease of replicability and scalability § customization to meet the specific local needs and § organizational commitment. The success of e-choupal has heralded a new era in the Indian agro-sector. The work needs to be carried forward and replicated in the other untapped areas. Creating business channels that can create a win-win situation both business and farming community has enormous economies of scope. Once a channel is created it could be used for many products and services as shown in this case study. The main reasons for the success of the platform have been the involvement of local farmers and maintenance of the rural IT network by the corporate entity. Keywords Rural e-market, Shared Ownership, Local Leadership, Meta Market Biographical notes Dr. B. Bowonder is a Dean, Tata Management...
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