Food Production

Macronutrients

Macronutrients are nutrients needed in larger quantities that provide energy and repair tissues, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

micronutrients

Micronutrients are nutrients needed in small quantities, such as vitamins (A, B, C, E, etc.) and minerals (iron, iodine, calcium, etc.), which play essential roles in system functions.

undernutrition

Undernutrition occurs when a person's nutritional needs, whether macronutrients or micronutrients, are not being met.

What causes undernutrition?

Undernutrition is caused by individuals who cannot grow or buy enough food to meet their basic nutritional needs.

Overnutrition

Overnutrition occurs when a person's nutritional intake exceeds their daily use of nutrients.

malnutrition

Both undernutrition and overnutrition are forms of malnutrition, which is an imbalance of nutritional intake.

food security

Food security is the daily access to enough nutritious food to live healthy lives.

What is the primary cause of food insecurity?

The primary cause of food insecurity is poverty.

What are three main causes of food insecurity?

1. Poverty and Economic Factors (low income, high food prices, inadequate wages). 2. Social and Political Factors (conflict, discrimination, lack of access to education). 3. Environmental Factors (climate change, natural disasters, soil degradation).

What are the three major food production systems?

The three major food production systems are croplands, rangelands/pastures/feedlots, and fisheries/aquaculture.

Croplands

Produce grains, such as rice, wheat, and corn, and provide 77% of the world's food.

Rangeland/Pastures/Feedlots

Produce meat and meat products, including eggs

Fisheries/Aquaculture:

produces fish and shellfish

What is the land use percentage of food production systems?

These systems use about 40% of the world's land.

industrialized agriculture

Industrialized agriculture is high-input agriculture aimed at steadily increasing crop yields, utilizing monocultures, heavy equipment, and synthetic inputs.

traditional agriculture

Traditional agriculture is low-input agriculture focused on producing enough food for a farm family's survival, often using polyculture and labor from humans and animals.

organic agriculture

Organic agriculture grows crops without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and requires animals to be raised on 100% organically-grown feed.

What are the different organic labels in the U.S.?

1. 100% Organic. 2. Organic (95% organic). 3. Made with organic ingredients (70%). 4. Natural (no requirement).

What are the environmental impacts of industrialized agriculture?

Industrialized agriculture can lead to soil erosion, biodiversity loss, water quality issues, and air pollution.

How does industrialized agriculture contribute to soil erosion?

Practices like tilling and plowing expose topsoil to wind and water, disrupting its structure and making it vulnerable to erosion.

What are the effects of industrialized agriculture on biodiversity?

Conversion of natural ecosystems (grasslands, forests, or wetlands) into farms

Death of aquatic organisms from pesticide runoff

Killing of wild predators to protect livestock

Loss of biodiversity from using monoculture strains

How does industrialized agriculture affect water quality?

Depletion of aquifer reserves

Increased runoff and flooding from cleared land

Pollution from pesticides

Algal blooms caused by runoff of fertilizers

What are the air pollution impacts of industrialized agriculture?

Greenhouse gas emissions from equipment that burn fossil fuels

Greenhouse gas emissions from cattle

Air pollutants from pesticide spray

What are synthetic fertilizers and their benefits?

Synthetic fertilizers are man-made chemicals that enrich soil with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, providing fast-acting, cost-effective nutrient management.

What are the hidden costs of synthetic fertilizers?

They can cause environmental degradation, harm soil health, disrupt nutrient cycles, and require large fossil fuel inputs for production.

What are pesticides and their benefits?

Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests, resulting in higher crop yields, lower losses, and economic benefits for farmers.

What are the hidden costs of pesticide use?

They can lead to soil and water contamination, disrupt ecosystems, and negatively impact human health.

What is bottom trawling and its benefits?

Bottom trawling is a fishing method that efficiently captures large quantities of fish and shellfish, generating significant profits.

What are the hidden costs of bottom trawling?

It destroys seafloor habitats, negatively impacts food chains, alters water chemistry, and harms local fisheries.

What are CAFOs and their benefits?

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are facilities where animals are raised in confinement, leading to lower production costs and increased efficiency.

What are the hidden costs of CAFOs?

They contribute to manure pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and water/air pollution from contaminated runoff.