1. Sustainable Agriculture
To spray, or not to spray...
The goal of modern agriculture is to produce crops and food products that are safe to eat, while minimizing ecological impacts.
It is also important to produce affordable foods, and create products consumers are willing to buy.
Sustainable agriculture must:
feed the world’s hungry today
feed the world’s hungry tomorrow
prevent deterioration of the soil and water

2. Truly sustainable farming systems are very difficult to accomplish.
Farmers must choose individually for themselves what methods are best for their own situation.
Farmers must also worry about maintaining soil fertility, stopping soil erosion, protecting their crops from pests, and using adequate amounts of water.
Perhaps, most importantly from and economics standpoint, every farmer must worry about making a livable wage.

3. Pesticide Use Pesticides scare many people.
10% of the pesticides on the market today are suspected or known carcinogens, teratogens, and mutagens.
cause cancer
cause birth defects
cause chromosomal mutations

4. Three Kinds of Pesticides
Used to control competitive weeds. Other practices fight weeds mechanically, but they tend to promote soil erosion, so herbicides are used alternatively.
Herbicides
Used to kill fungal diseases. Fungicides are generally quite expensive to apply, and are most commonly used on fruit crops, and perennial plants.
Fungicides
Fungicides are by far the most expensive pesticide to apply.
Used to control insects. The documented use of chemicals to combat insects goes back about 3,000 years, when Homer used sulfur to divert pests. Insecticides today are easy to apply, and cost effective. Using them creates a more visually appealing crop. Often the best looking crop is the one protected with insecticides.
Insecticides

5. Scary Facts
there has been a 50% decline in sperm production in men living in developed countries. Some extremist studies report that as many as 23% of young American men are functionally sterile.
Traces of dioxin have been found in women’s breast milk worldwide. It is one of the most toxic chemicals ever known.
Since 1973, childhood brain cancers and leukemias have increased by 300%. Cancer is now the largest killer of children under the age of 14.
Pesticide use tripled between 1965 and 1985
The government tests only 1% of our food for pesticide residue
Many banks and insurance companies require farmers to use pesticides in order to obtain loans
Even though we ban many pesticides, because of NAFTA contaminated produce find their way back into American supermarkets.

6. Conventionally Grown Crops
(Using pesticides)

7. Alternatives to Pesticides
Predatory insects
Ladybugs, or ladybird beetles are among the most visible and best known beneficial predatory insects.
Most ladybugs are helpful as both adults and larvae, feeding primarily on aphids. They also feed on mites, small insects, and insect eggs.
Tomato worm
Parasitic wasps parasitize tomato worm eggs, and larvae. Birds may feed on larvae. Moles destroy the pupae.

8. Year Two: Sweet corn and squash
Crop Rotation
Can also reduce the need for pesticide application. If a farmer rotates the crop she plants every year, then she keeps the bugs guessing. Different crops have different nutritional needs, and take different things from the soil. Rotating them preserves soil fertility.
Year One: Root Crops
Year Two: Sweet corn and squash
Year Three: Tomatoes and peppers
Year Four: Peas and beans

9. The E P A
Interestingly, the EPA which is supposed to regulate and approve new pesticides, may actually be helping to slow down the introduction of newer safer pesticides. Even with EPA guidelines...
Approximately 75% of all produce tested positive for various pesticide residues. Over 19% of commercial lettuce from major grocery store chains contained the pesticide DDT, although this chemical has been banned in the USA for almost 30 years now.
Liberal pesticide use can promote the “evolution” of pesticide-resistant pests, just as infectious bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

10. Organic Farming Techniques
Organic farming produces food that is raised without chemicals and processed without additives.
Advocates say that it is more nutritious, and safer to eat, and usually tastes better too.
Organic gardeners use short-lived, biodegradable pest-killers, and use manure for fertilizer.
The use of FYM as fertilizer, gives rise to concerns about the possible contamination of agricultural produce with pathogens (especially E. coli)

11. Lower Yield, but Higher Nutrient Content
A 12 year study revealed that farmers who used organic techniques with FYM instead of chemicals incurred a 24% lower crop yield, but their produce was 28% higher in nutrients!
Organic food can never be defined as pesticide-free, but legislation does require that organic farm land must be free from chemical inputs for three years prior to organic production.
Organic foods are now available in most food outlets, but is usually more expensive because the techniques used require more manual labor.

12. Demand For Organics
Demand for organic products around the world is at an all-time high. Most of these are grains and beans, but there is a growing demand for fresh fruits, frozen vegetables, nuts, wine, juice, and even meat.

13. Is It Worth The Extra Cost ?
You Decide
Write a reflection on what type of food you will provide your family with, and why.