Agricultural Systems Conventional Benefits Hugely productive (for 60 years only)

Agricultural Systems Conventional Benefits Hugely productive (for sixty years) It’s traditional—everyone understands it

Agricultural Systems Conventional Benefits Hugely productive (for sixty years) It’s traditional—everyone understands it Very competitive and low cost

Agricultural Systems Conventional Drawbacks Chemical poisoning Benefits Hugely productive It’s traditional—everyone understands it Very competitive and low cost Drawbacks Chemical poisoning

Agricultural Systems Conventional Drawbacks Depleted soils Benefits Hugely productive It’s traditional—everyone understands it Very competitive and low cost Drawbacks Chemical poisoning Depleted soils

Agricultural Systems Conventional Drawbacks Benefits Hugely productive It’s traditional—everyone understands it Very competitive and low cost Drawbacks Chemical poisoning Depleted soils No long term sustainability

Agricultural Systems Conventional Drawbacks High Transportation Costs Benefits Hugely productive It’s traditional—everyone understands it Very competitive and low cost Drawbacks Chemical poisoning Depleted soils No long term sustainability High Transportation Costs

Agricultural Systems Conventional Drawbacks Benefits Hugely productive It’s traditional—everyone understands it Very competitive and low cost Drawbacks Chemical poisoning Depleted soils No long term sustainability High Transportation Costs No built in obligation to underlying natural systems

Dead Zones

Agricultural Systems Integrated Pest Management Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals

Agricultural Systems Integrated Pest Management Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals More knowledgeable farmers

Agricultural Systems Integrated Pest Management Drawbacks Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals More knowledgeable farmers Drawbacks Still some chemicals

Agricultural Systems Integrated Pest Management Drawbacks Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals More knowledgeable farmers Drawbacks Still some chemicals Otherwise same as “Conventional”

Agricultural Systems Food Alliance (Some call it “Beyond Organic”) Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals

Agricultural Systems Food Alliance “Beyond Organic” Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals Consideration for fish and wildlife

Agricultural Systems Food Alliance “Beyond Organic” Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals Consideration for fish and wildlife Consideration for water

Agricultural Systems Food Alliance “Beyond Organic” Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals Consideration for fish and wildlife Consideration for water Consideration for worker welfare

Agricultural Systems Food Alliance “Beyond Organic” Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals Consideration for fish and wildlife Consideration for water Consideration for worker welfare Usually Local

Agricultural Systems Food Alliance “Beyond Organic” Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals Consideration for fish and wildlife Consideration for water Consideration for worker welfare Usually Local (goal is to be organic) Certified for compliance

Agricultural Systems Food Alliance “Beyond Organic” Drawbacks Benefits Less Synthetic Chemicals Consideration for fish and wildlife Consideration for water Consideration for worker welfare Usually Local (goal is to be organic) Certified for compliance Drawbacks Still some chemical fertilizers and pesticides

Agricultural Systems Organic Came into effect 2002, based upon ‘Organic Foods Act of 1990” Benefits No Synthetic chemicals

Agricultural Systems Organic Came into effect 2002, based upon ‘Organic Foods Act of 1990” Benefits No Synthetic chemicals No Sewage sludge as fertilizer

Agricultural Systems Organic Came into effect 2002, based upon ‘Organic Foods Act of 1990” Benefits No Synthetic chemicals No Sewage sludge as fertilizer No GMO crops “wink, wink, nod, nod”

Agricultural Systems Organic Came into effect 2002, based upon ‘Organic Foods Act of 1990” Benefits No Synthetic chemicals No Sewage sludge as fertilizer No GMO crops No Irradiation of meat

Agricultural Systems Organic Came into effect 2002, based upon ‘Organic Foods Act of 1990” Benefits No Synthetic chemicals No Sewage sludge as fertilizer No GMO crops No Irradiation of meat Certified according to USDA by 3rd party certifiers

Agricultural Systems Organic Benefits Drawbacks No Synthetic chemicals No Fertilizer sludge as fertilizer No GMO crops No Irradiation of meat Certified according to USDA by 3rd party certifiers Drawbacks Relies mostly on random soil tests

Agricultural Systems Organic Drawbacks Benefits No Synthetic chemicals No Fertilizer sludge as fertilizer No GMO crops No Irradiation of meat Certified according to USDA by 3rd party certifiers Drawbacks Relies mostly on random soil tests Nothing specified for fish and wildlife; aquatic systems; or worker welfare

Agricultural Systems Local Benefits Know your grower

Agricultural Systems Local Benefits Know your grower Usually organic, Food Alliance, or IPM

Agricultural Systems Local Benefits Food is typically fresher Know your grower Usually organic, Food Alliance, or IPM Food is typically fresher

Agricultural Systems Local Benefits Most sustainable—less petroleum Know your grower Usually organic, Food Alliance, or IPM Food is typically fresher Most sustainable—less petroleum Typical produce item travels 1500 miles to reach you and 10 calories of petroleum energy is used for each calorie of food energy contained.

Agricultural Systems Local Drawbacks Benefits Know your grower Usually organic, Food Alliance, or IPM Food is typically fresher Most sustainable—less petroleum Typical produce item travels 1500 miles to reach you and 10 calories of petroleum energy is used for each calorie of food energy contained. Drawbacks No standard—depend upon ethics of producer

Agricultural Systems Grow your own—the ultimate local Benefits You know your producer 

Agricultural Systems Grow your own—the ultimate local Benefits You know your producer  You know the inputs

Agricultural Systems Grow your own—the ultimate local Benefits You know your producer  You know the inputs Grow exactly what you want

Agricultural Systems Grow your own—the ultimate local Benefits You know your producer  You know the inputs Grow exactly what you want NO petroleum consumption—you aren’t eating oil

Agricultural Systems Grow your own—the ultimate local Benefits You know your producer  You know the inputs Grow exactly what you want NO petroleum consumption—you aren’t eating any oil Drawbacks Requires a space

Agricultural Systems Grow your own—the ultimate local First, you gotta love growing stuff  Benefits You know your producer  You know the inputs Grow exactly what you want NO transportation costs—you aren’t eating any oil Drawbacks Requires a space Requires time