Sustainable Agriculture

Biotechnology: Description

Using GMO’s to make agriculture more productive/efficient (North America, South America, Asia, Australia)

Biotechnology: Positive relationship with sustainability

• Keeps up with global food supply

• Less farmland needed = less deforestation

Biotechnology: Negative relationship with sustainability

• Expensive

• Harsh chemicals required/increased pollution

• Depletion of water sources due to increased irrigation for crops

Aquaculture: Description

Cultivation of marine organisms in a controlled environment (fish farm)

Aquaculture: Positive relationship with sustainability

• More seafood produced in less space

• Keeps up with food supply

• Eliminates overfishing in natural environments

Aquaculture: Negative relationship with sustainability

• Water pollution from waste and chemicals

• Use of antibiotics similar to feedlots

Urban Farming: Description

Growing fruits & vegetables on small plots of land (including rooftops) inside of cities

Urban Farming: Positive relationship with sustainability

• Solution to food deserts

• Effective use of small spaces

• Healthier diets in urban areas/food deserts

Urban Farming: Negative relationship with sustainability

• Doesn’t produce as much as large scale agriculture

• Growing seasons may be limited depending on location

Community-Supported Agriculture: Description

Subscription service where buyers agree to buy fresh products directly from farms

Community-Supported Agriculture: Positive relationship with sustainability

• Supports small scale farmers

• Less chemicals/processing of products

Community-Supported Agriculture: Negative relationship with sustainability

• Doesn’t produce as much as large scale agriculture

• May be more expensive than grocery stores

Organic Farming: Description

Producing crops and animals using only natural methods; no chemicals, etc.

Organic Farming: Negative Relationship with Sustainability

• More land is required

• Less Production Overall

• More Expensive Products

Organic Farming: Positive Relationship with Sustainability

• No GMO’s

• Fewer chemicals & pollution

• Better quality products

Value-Added Specialty Crops: Description

Changing the physical form of a crop/commodity so that it can last longer

Examples of Value-Added Specialty Crops

jams, yogurt, cheese, salsa

Value-Added Specialty Crops: Positive relationship with sustainability

• Longer shelf life for perishable products

• More profitable for farmers

Value-Added Specialty Crops: Negative relationship with sustainability

there are none

Fair Trade: Description

Products produced through a certification program that pays higher wages to farmers and has better environmental practices

Fair Trade is common in?

Plantation Farming

Fair Trade: Positive relationship with Sustainability

• Higher wages for farmer, especially in LDCs

• Better treatment for farmers in LDCs

Fair Trade: Negative relationship with Sustainability

• Products are more expensive

• Globalization sometimes works against them