Open Blog 2

The group case study that I participated in this semester was the presentation on the
SNAP and Double Bucks Program. The research I conducted into the SNAP
program for our presentation really opened my eyes to some of the flaws
in the system and how it can be exploited and abused both by individuals
and by corporations. In particular I was shocked to learn how much of
the money from SNAP goes to profit large corporations and grocery store
chains.The video above was one I found extremely shocking as well as infuriating. To think that by simply raising their prices 1.4% Walmart could make enough profit to account for the losses they would experience if they were to pay each employee a living wage was a mind blowing to me. Furthermore, their increase in prices/wages would mean saving tax payers $300,000,000. 3,000,000! I think that if more people were aware how much of their tax money was just being funneled back into corporations like Walmart there may be more action taken to prohibit these types of things.

Open Blog 1

For my first open blog I wanted to talk about the 2nd annual Midlands Farm Tour that the USC Community Farm and Garden participated in this on April 5th and 6th this year. The farm tour is put on by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. The CFSA website talks briefly about the reason for organizing the farm tours and says they were created to better connect farmers and consumers. On the tours, visitors are able to see the reality of what goes on at a sustainable small farm. For example, how farm families balance their busy lives, how they grow food in harmony with nature, and how they market their products and support themselves financially. It specifically mentions the CFSA's desire for children of all ages to come on the tours. It says "Today so many children have read story books about farms and farm animals, but have never actually seen a farm. By touring, children learn where their food comes from and what a real farm is." I felt that this was very much in line with many things we have talked about in our class throughout the semester. One of the many focal points of this course, to me, has been the importance of educating the population on what is really in their food. It is so important that people understand what real unprocessed food looks (and tastes) like and where it actually comes from and I feel like the Midlands Farm Tour is helping to do just that on a local scale (which is even better!). I snapped the two pictures above while volunteering at the tour on April 6th.

Blog 22

How do permaculture and agroecology benefit the natural environment and humans? How do they affect our use of petroleum? The Right to Food UN Report focuses on third world countries. Which policy suggestions would work or not work in first world countries? Why or why not? From the mission of the Seed Savers Exchange, how might saving seeds make a greener food system?

 

Permaculture and agroecology benefit our natural environment because they focus on a more sustainable type of agricultural system. This also creates benefits for humans because permaculture and agroecology work to provide people with access to the resources that are necessary for their survival. Many solutions to ending hunger in third world countries obviously involve the use of agriculture. It is incorrect to assume though that by simply increasing a country's food production that country can effectively battle hunger or malnutrition.  To see significant progress farmers in third world countries must begin to move toward a lower carbon form of agriculture that also preserves resources.  One of the suggested policies I feel could work in first world countries is the concept of investing in knowledge because without investing in educational programs agroecology would not be possible. 

 

The reading on the Seed Savers Exchange made it clear that saving seeds can help to make a greener food system more focused on green values by preserving a diverse food system that promotes biodiversity & maintains thousands of different types of plants.

Blog 21

List at least one way locally sourced foods in South Carolina has a direct impact and one way it has an indirect impact on South Carolina’s economy. Is the Certified South Carolina Grown campaign worth the money put into the program? Explain in terms of economics and sustainability. Of the farming industries that were compared to NC and GA, which do you think is most important to expand and why?

One way locally sourced food has a direct impact on South Carolina’s economy is through the increased creation of jobs. Increasing local demand could potentially add 10,000 jobs, which would in turn affect the South Carolina economy. Another direct effect would be the funds that stem from local purchases and wages that impact the states economy. The indirect impact that local foods can be seen on the economy of South Carolina through the spending on in-state suppliers. Overall I feel that the Certified South Carolina Grown campaign is worth the amount of money that is put into it. I do also agree with the author that more money should be spent raising awareness about the program through advertising and marketing. Of the farming industries that were compared to North Carolina and Georgia, one area that would be important to expand would be in tree-nut farming because it had the biggest differential in the regional purchase coefficient. There was a difference of 80 percent in the regional purchase coefficient and tree-nut farming also had the lowest level of production. 

Blog 20

What implications do new research on the soil-health connection for the food system? How would attention to soil life affect farming and distribution?

 While reading the MyPlate webpage and brochure, keep in mind “The Politics of Dietary Guidance” article. Is the political influence that Nestle writes about evident in the MyPlate guidelines? Why or why not?  Do you think that these guidelines are specific and informative enough to affect people’s diets?

New research suggests that there is a strong connection between our soil and human health. For example, soil may protect us against the development of human sensitivity to certain allergens. Food that is grown in well-treated, nutrient-rich soil has the possibility to offer a variety of health-related advantages all while helping to build a healthy immune system. The difficulty lies in identifying which type of soil each individual's food is grown in. For instance, many organic farms have well-treated soil, but larger farms use pesticides that damage soil.

Instead of using words such as 'eliminate' and 'avoid' that would suggest that certain foods do not need to be consumed at all and are not an integral part of a healthy diet, the MyPlate dietary guidelines for consumers uses words such as 'reduce' and 'cut back'. I personally do not think that this wording is drastic enough. While these guidelines may still provide useful information, I don't think they do enough to communicate and suggest the need for real change in people's diets. If they were to use more radical wording and more action words I think more people would take the guidelines seriously and refer to them when making everyday dietary choices.

Blog 19

Being that these articles were written several years ago what are your thoughts on the corn commodity-created high fructose corn syrup now being linked to obesity? Describe the effectiveness or non-effectiveness of ‘downstream’ nutrition education. How does marketing play a role? Explain the problem with continuing commodity crops and importing more fruits and vegetables.

In what ways does supporting farmers and a possible switch to non-commodity/subsidized crops help to really address issues of farming crops that lead to junk food and obesity. Does the new farm bills’ current changes to stop subsidizing crops help us move in the right direction? If so, then how?

Describe the Mediterranean approach to eating and the health effects depicted in this article. What is your experience with this ‘diet’?

In my opinion, high fructose corn syrup is clearly linked to obesity. It is now found in just about every form of junk food Americans consume, and these same junk foods also typically cost less than many fruits and vegetables and other healthier options and taste better to most people as well. The downstream approach to nutrition education is not effective. While nutrition education is certainly important, the large price-gap between unhealthy foods and healthy foods seems to be the major deciding factor for low budget families when it comes to food purchases. Marketing plays an enormous role in the effectiveness of nutrition education. Very little budget is allotted by the USDA for the marketing of healthier snack options like fruits, yet the marketing budget for unhealthy snacks like sodas, potato chips, and candy is astronomical. These marketing campaigns make unhealthy foods look cool and fun, especially to children and teenagers, and create an environment conducive to unhealthy food choices. Importing fruits and vegetables is a quick fix but the problem with this approach is that it doesn’t offer the freshest produce or our local economy. Supporting our farmers and providing them with more incentives to produce fruits and vegetables as well as other healthy foods works to better address the issue of farming crops used in the making of junk foods like corn.  The new farm bills' plan to stop the further subsidization crops will not eliminate the problem because overproduction has been a problem in the American food & farming industries for so long it will take additional policies to convince farmers to focus on the quality of our food as opposed to the quantity produced and to see more than just a bottom line. The Mediterranean diet focuses on the consumption of fish, healthy oils, fruits & vegetables, and whole grains  which is certainly a step away from the American diet of processed foods and refined sugars and I believe it is a step in the right direction.  

Blog 18

Describe the Community Food Security movement and what perspectives/voices are included in this approach? How does the Community Food Assessment tool fit in? How might a Social Justice framework around food insecurity re-frame these issues? (compared to, say, a strictly health/nutrition approach?) With the Missoula County case study – how do cultural beliefs, social, political and economic relationships affect the community food system?

Think back to when our student-lead group presented on this issue a few weeks back. What questions and concerns should be raised regarding our own system here in SC

Community Food Security means having readily available access to healthy and safe foods and the CFS movement works to address the issues within our global food economy such as the cost of transportation as well as the loss of local, family farms.  Some voices included in this approach are farmers, ranchers, anti-hunger activists, nutritionists, environmentalists, public health educators, and city planners. The Community Food Assessment tool fits in by “organizing tools for identifying food-related issues, planning what to do about them, and gathering local support to take action to address them”. The CFA works to solve the many issues associated with the CFS movement on a community level. The Social Justice framework re-frames issues by connecting food consumption and production. It helps to address food security on more of a community level. 
A few questions/concerns regarding our SNAP/Double Bucks community food system in South Carolina:
Is the idea of Double Bucks used strictly at farmer's markets really feasible? Would it also be beneficial to expand the use of Double Bucks to state-grown produce that is sold in grocery stores as well? 
What about people who do not live near farmer's markets or grocery stores who offer local/organic produce? How do we give people living in food deserts in SC the same access to healthy foods as those who are not? 

Blog 17

What was something that surprised you regarding the D.C. farmer's market survey "game and results?" What could our downtown farmers market possibly learn from the results/reflections of this DOT survey? What are some benefits of having farmers' markets extend their times into being a year-round market? What are some challenges? What other items are popular at "farmers" markets? Should there be any stipulation/requirement as to what can be sold at local farmer's markets? only grown items? only local? only 'slow food'? crafts?

I thought it was surprising when reading the DC farmer's market survey that most of the customers reported they purchased goods from three vendors or less. Another surprising aspect of the reading was how many customers said they shopped at farmers markets for their convenience as well as how many of the customers surveyed were USDA employees. In my opinion there are a certainly a few things our downtown farmers market could potentially learn from the DOT Survey such as the need to offer more variety in their produce. Currently, there are only a few vendors who sell fresh produce. Also, that moving our farmers markets to more densely populated areas with more foot traffic would ensure a greater amount of customers. Benefits of having a year-round farmers market would be the creation of a loyal customer base and supporting the local economy. Some of the challenges farmers may face with a year-round market could be limited crop selection. Other popular items that are typically sold at farmers markets include jewelry, soaps, and various handmade goods (pottery, wood-works, etc). I think its a good thing that these specialty types of items are offered because they may draw crowds who come for the specialty goods but end up also buying some produce which ultimately helps the farmers as well. However, after a farmers market becomes more established, I feel that some of these specialty vendors should be replaced with those who offer more fresh and local meat and produce.

Blog 14

From previous readings and classes, how does Zambia food system compare to the development of US industrial food system? How could Zambia's food system be made more sustainable ecologically and economically? Would the Same approach work in the US? Why or why not? 
The case studies in Wisconsin demonstrate the challenges that farms, business, and other organizations face in distribution of food. What did you find to be the most difficult challenge and the most innovative solution in the reading? Can you think of any other challenges that may be faced in local food distribution in SC? What is a solution? 
The Real Food Challenge and the Food Corps both target young people to address problems in the food system, but how does each organization's approach differ from the other? Do you think one is more effective or has a greater impact than the other? Why or why not?

 

Zambia’s food system is similar to that of the United States in that they too have created a surplus of food, namely corn. However in Zambia, unlike in the US, there is a lack of demand for organic foods. I thought it was interesting that in the article it stated that one of the ways Zambia’s food system could be made more sustainable was through the use of churches because of the high degree of education seminary graduates would have. This would allow them to teach others about sustainable agriculture, which would make a strong impact at the community level.The Real Food Challenge seems to differ from Food Corps by focusing on multiple different issues. The three key focuses of Food Corps are knowledge, engagement, and access. I personally think their program may be more efficient because they can really focus their attention and resources to more specific and easily identifiable issues than those of the RFC. In the reading about Wisconsin, I found that the most difficult challenge--which also leads to the most innovative solution--organizations face in the distribution of food was matching supply with demand. Although the demand for local food is considerably higher than the supply, produce is still going to waste in the fields due to weather conditions as well as storage and transportation costs. One of the most innovative solutions to these issues in my opinion was to have the growers and entrepreneurs pool their resources and, by doing so, they limit their risk. Seasonality is one of the challenges local food distribution may face in South Carolina, and I think a solution to this issue could be found through the use of greenhouses and high tunnels that could extend specific growing seasons like we saw used at City Roots. 

Blog 12

How has industrialization impacted farms both socially and environmentally? Do the potential benefits outweigh potential costs? Be sure to address Wendell Berry's assertions about the impacts of such "progress" as he calls it. 
After reviewing City Root's website, think of two questions that you would like answered on Monday. Think about the production, business, and social aspects of sustainable farming.

Industrialization has greatly (and mainly negatively) impacted farms both socially and environmentally. Socially, industrialization has essentially destroyed the necessity for farmers. In the past, farmers were needed to perform labor in the fields however now machines are becoming the farmers. Also, credit has become a large issue within the farming community. To survive as a farm you now need the required heavy machinery--which requires large sums of money--and once you acquire the bigger machinery you want more land and therefore more money is required. This has negatively effected farms because getting loans is not always easy and its most certainly causing small farms to suffer.  Environmentally, industrialization has forced farms to move away from using renewable energy sources. When speed and efficiency are the major factors in creating a successful farm, the environment is left out of consideration. We are no longer using cover crops to make the soil useful and are wasting energy and becoming dependent on fossil fuels. Overall, I do not feel that the benefits outweigh the costs and feel that we should be focusing on creating more sustainable farms as opposed to perpetuating these social and environmental issues. As Berry very accurately stated, "I now suspect that if we work with machines the world will seem to us to be a machine, but if we work with living creatures the world will appear to us as a living creature." And I think, in a nutshell, that has become our problem-- viewing the planet as a machine that is constantly cranking out resources and not as a living thing that requires care and nurturing in order to continue yielding the resources we require.

1.What is the most difficult part of no till farming? Have you found it to be more prosperous/profitable than till farming?
2. How difficult is it to become USDA certified organic?

Blog 11

How do food safety regulations affect small and medium sized farms? Use examples from the summary of Food Safety Modernization Act and from Wendell Berry. Does the food system according to the report by the US Food and Drug Administration address all risks involved in food production? If so, how well does the US government address these risks? If not, what is another risk that is not accounted for, and how could it be managed? 

Food safety regulations often require, as pointed out by Wendell Berry, "more and more expensive equipment", which, although it may be pocket change to large food companies, can be enough to force a small or medium sized farm to go out of business. I think Berry also raises an interesting and valid question when he asks "is it impossible to be inexpensively healthful and clean?" When you look at the Food Safety Mondernization Act, you can't help but think that the answer--whether it is accurate or not--is yes.
In the report by the US Food and Drug Administration they say in regards to food production and its risks that "since data and scientific knowledge are never totally complete, an assessment of absolute risk is impossible". Still, in my opinion, even the way known health risks and hazards in food production are dealt with could be greatly improved upon. Recalls on certain food products because of potential food-born illnesses for example are not always widely and clearly communicated by both the food companies to the FDA and the FDA to the general public. And, when they are, it is often difficult for the consumer to, first, once they learn of the recall, to even know for sure if they have or have not ingested any of the items that may be potentially hazardous.

Blog 8

What are some of the attacks brought against the class-action lawsuits against the USDA? In your opinion, were these attacks justified? Why or why not?

What were the plaintiffs in the lawsuits claiming? Do you believe the claims were legitimate? Why or why not?

What should be done to prevent further lawsuits of this nature? Is there any way to ensure that farmer discrimination does not exist? Is so, how? If not, why not?

Some of the attacks brought against the farmers who were suing the USDA were that: these farmers could be lying since evidence of their mistreatment was not required, that this lawsuit created an opportunity for a myriad of other farmers to now receive compensation when they previously had no complaints, and finally that, in general, fraud, lying, and forged documents were prevalent throughout the entire process. The plaintiffs in the lawsuits claimed that their prospective groups were being denied loans, as opposed to white, male farmers who were regularly receiving them. I believe that the claims could certainly be legitimate because of other similar discrimination against minorities in our country's history. To help to prevent further lawsuits like these in the future I think the USDA should more clearly regulate how many farmers may receive in loans, and then make sure that money is allocated fairly to all farmers across the nation. The application process for payments should also be monitored more closely to prevent non-farmers from receiving money fraudulently. Furthermore, farmers should have a means to lodge valid complaints that can then be resolved quickly to create an outcome favorable to all parties involved.

Blog 7

Do the pros of GMOs outweigh the cons why or why not? How would the labeling of GMOs affect the food market? How does the media's portrayal of GMOs affect bills being passed? 

In regards to GMOs I would say that the cons definitely outweigh the pros. Although GE crops are resistant to glyphosate, there are now "superweeds" that are also resistant to roundup causing companies like Monsanto to seek approval of a new type of GE crop that would be resistant to the use of an even stronger pesticide. This makes it seem as though even the pros of GMOs eventually create their own cons. First, you create a crop that is resistant to one type of herbicide, then the weeds become stronger and more resistant to it as well which in turn just creates the need for an even stronger and more dangerous herbicide and the cycle goes on and on. Every solution created by GMOs appears to only create a new problem eventually. Labeling of GMOs would, I think, affect the food market in a positive way. It would allow the consumer to make informed purchases without necessarily restricting them to products labeled "organic". The media's portrayal of GMOs, which is certainly influenced at least monetarily by biotech companies, affects bills being passed by sending a message to the voter (however untrue) that there are no health risks directly related to the consumption of foods containing GMOs. The media coverage also focuses largely on the fact that the creation of mandatory GMO labeling would raise the cost of food for Americans.

Blog 6

I think one of the most feasible ways of changing industrial meat production like CAFOs and aligning them with green principles would be by raising the awareness of the general public on exactly how industrial meat producers operate. Perhaps if more people could see just how inhumane and unnatural today's meat industry is, they might care less about having an inexpensive product and more about the well being of the animals, the environment, and themselves. If there was less demand for cheap meat products then there would not be as much incentive for CAFOs to take whatever shortcuts they had to in order to keep the prices low and still make a profit. Hearing Dr. Jones speak about Doko Farms and comparing the lives of the animals on his farm with the lives of the animals in Food Inc. opened my eyes even more to the tragic state of our food industry. I think that if the rest of the country had the same access to this type of information and could understand how bad CAFOs are, not just for the animals but those consuming them, a lot of people would be in support of greener values which could force the food industry to change its practices. Also, I think the greenest types of farms are those who, like Doko Farms, rely on human labor rather than just that of machines.

Blog 5

Access to Healthful Foods among an Urban Food Insecure Population: Perceptions versus Reality 
What does the relationship of residents' perceptions of food access and food found in surrounding stores reveal about participants' level of nutritional education? 

The relationship of residents’ perceptions of food access and food found in surrounding stores seems to reveal that participants’ were relatively aware of the food insecurity that exists in their community.
They understood that there was no access to healthy foods within a one mile radius of their residence which suggests that their level of nutritional education was relatively high. 

Feeding People versus Saving Nature?  
Is some degree of anthropocentrism mutually exclusive from green values? Can anthropocentric actions preserve and renew natural environments and make a greener world? Why or why not?

Anthropocentrism is defined as "the belief that human beings are the central or most significant species on the planet" which immediately sounds like it would be somewhat contradictory of green values. However, to a certain degree, I do not believe that Anthropocentrism and green values are necessarily mutually exclusive. If someone believes that human beings are the most significant species on the planet and wish for that species to continue to populate the earth far into the distant future, then it is obvious they will need an earth for said humans to populate. This could therefore align that person's priorities with those of someone with green values who is looking to preserve and renew natural environments, since preservation of the planet is essential to future human life. So, although the idea of anthropocentrism may not necessarily be "green", some anthropocentric actions could potentially serve to make a greener world.

Blog 4

Farmer-In-Chief

Explain ways in which Pollan believes the old approach to boosting food production will not work? Why does Pollan feel a complete reform to food policy is needed? How does he link food policy to health care spending?

Pollan believes the old approach will not work for multiple reasons. Among these reasons are its dependence on the finite energy of fossil fuels and the fact that it relies heavily on pesticides and fertilizer. He feels a complete reform is needed because the policies that are in place right now are the reason why the system is as broken as it is, and, unless we create an entirely new food policy, we won't be able to make any real significant progress in moving away from a food system so reliant on fossil fuels which we now know we have a limited amount of. He links food policy to health care spending by comparing the 8% decrease in food spending in the average household since the 1960s to the 11% increase in health care spending. He also discusses how many of the top diseases that kill Americans are linked to their diet.

How Sustainable Agriculture Can Address the Environmental and Human

Health Harms of Industrial Agriculture

How has adopting more Western approaches to agriculture affected the environment and human health in developing countries? Discuss biodiversity and the issues surrounding it within the Westernized agricultural system. What are some alternatives or more sustainable methods to industrialized agriculture? How do urban areas play a part?

Adopting more Western approaches to agriculture means the consumption of a lot more meat for developing countries. This also means an increase in the consumption of unhealthy fats and the antibiotics which are used in the livestock which can often mean an increase in Type II Diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. China, for example, has doubled its meat consumption and is now seeing a change in the diseases affecting its population. Western approaches to agriculture practices have also created environmental degradation, including air and water pollution, soil depletion, and diminishing biodiversity. Biodiversity is an important part of agriculture because it develops new plant species which helps deter plant viruses but, within the Westernized system, the practice of monocropping aids insects, pests, and plant diseases. Crop rotation, cover crops, integrated pest management and soil management are examples of sustainable alternative.

Blog 3

Using the reading material for today as well as previous reading on green values (and referring to specific aspects of that material), write a blog entry describing what you think the goals and specific characteristics of a learning community that was “green.”  How would you know a green learning community if you saw one?

I think that one of the central focuses of a learning community that was 'green' would be to create an environment that would mirror much of the green values mentioned in previous readings. It would encourage its members to think globally and to act locally. It would focus on creating an ecologically sustainable learning environment that reduced, reused, and recycled. One possible way that could be carried out could be by completing class assignments on either recycled paper or through use of a computer, and by recycling or reusing any products (paper or otherwise) that are used within the community. There would also be a focus on the use within the community of renewable, sustainable energy sources like solar and wind power. In terms of education there would be a focus, not only on basic curriculum with subjects such as math and grammar, but on subjects reflective of green values like environmental appreciation and an understanding of the laws of nature (e.g. the law of carrying capacity). I think that one way you might be able to discern a green learning community from one that was not would be by its clear desires to not only to educate about the earth but also to be educated, and by its efforts to better appreciate, understand, and interact with its surrounding environment. 

Blog 2

 a place I like

 

Blog 1

Why are you in this course?  What do you think of “green values”?  What connections can you think of between green values and food?  Which “green value” did you most and least agree with?  What surprised you the most about the readings?

I am taking this course because as a Political Science major I obviously need to take Political Science courses to fulfill my major requirement but this class seemed like it could be one of the rare few that I both need to take and would also enjoy taking. I'm an Environmental Studies minor and have a real interest in "green" topics, especially those involving where and how the food we eat is grown. You see the words "natural", "local", and "organic" printed all sorts of products lately, and it would be nice to have an understanding of what those words actually meant.

In regards to green values and food, one connection I thought of was the concept of producing goods on a smaller scale and how production of food with more local control could help to make food safer for the consumer. It would allow someone to be more aware of where their food came from and the processes it went through to make it to their kitchen. 

I thought that it was interesting to see that the "green values" did not strictly focus on environmental pursuits but also politics, social hierarchy, the economy, and science and technology. The value I agreed with least was that hierarchies are unnatural, undesirable, and avoidable. However undesirable anyone may think they are I believe they are unavoidable. Social hierarchies are naturally occurring and almost impossible to be completely rid of in any society. I most agreed with the idea that indiscriminate economic growth is bad. Everything has it limits, including and especially the earth. Economic growth can't go on forever in the same way that it has been without having some negative effect on the planet and those inhabiting it.

What surprised me most about the readings was how in depth of an ideology being 'green' really is. There is actually a lot more to the concept of green values than I had initially thought. Before,  I imagined only a few industries being involved and it not effecting as many aspects of life as it does. Instead it permeates throughout government politics, economics, technology and science.