GGR111H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Quinary, Fordism, Sustainable Agriculture
Document Summary
Sustainable agriculture: sustainable agriculture: change input/ maintaining output, mechanisms: crop rotations, fertility pest, weed control, economic diversity, green manures- soil maintenance reduce erosion, natural bufferes- limit wind erosion. Integrated pest control-polyculture, natural predators: mixed farming systems- integrate animal and crop production. Organic agriculture: crop and animal systems, principles of sustainable agriculture, heirloom varieties- plants and animals. Barriers: economies of scale focus, debt, speclization focus, corporate control, research agenda, cheap foods focus. Prices of food: costs to environment, energy costs, labour, subsidies to industry- tax breaks, research grants, technology, subsidies to agriculture- disproportionately to large farms, costs to health care, the power of a consumer- the force for change. The consumer"s responsibilities: how we select food- price, appearance, advertising, consumer knowledge. Labeling of food- difference between nations: control of information- advertising, conflicting reports, research control, information overload, time and convenience- fast foods processed foods, bad diets. Locally sourced food: community gardens, backyard gardens, green roofs.
