Weekly Learning
Vertical Farming (Freethink)
"Vertical farming is a revolutionary approach to agriculture that defies traditional horizons. By stacking layers of crops in vertical structures, it maximizes space efficiency, reduces water usage, and minimizes environmental impact.
This innovative method holds the promise of sustainable food production in urban settings, bringing us closer to a future where fresh, locally grown produce is within arm's reach year-round". (Freethink, 22 may 2021)
Farmers fighting to keep food on OUR tables
Farmers grapple with challenges as the current food system prioritizes price over land stewardship and the social value of small-scale family farms. In advanced industrial societies, once taken-for-granted food abundance is now questioned for issues like animal welfare and environmental justice. Consumers resist the mainstream, commodity-driven market, seeking alternatives such as CSAs, fair trade, and organic foods. The food system is now a battleground, reflecting broader societal shifts towards healthier and environmentally sustainable choices.
"The Fight Over Food" explores this transformation, analyzing resistance movements challenging mainstream food production. Emphasizing human agency, the essays question the potential for enduring transformations in the food system".(psupress,2024)
Silent KILLER
"The world is facing a biodiversity crisis, with species disappearing rapidly due to industrial-scale agriculture relying heavily on pesticides and fertilizers. Climate change is exacerbated by pesticides, which have been linked to cancers, mutations, and reproductive difficulties in wildlife, plants, and humans. Europe, a major pesticide exporter, faces a deep-rooted pesticide problem, with over 400 approved substances in the EU.
Public awareness is growing, with over a million Europeans supporting the "Save the bees and the farmers!" initiative. The EU Commission's Farm to Fork policy aims for a 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030, but opposition from chemical companies and vested interests threatens progress". (Investigate Europe, June 2022)
Solar Panels and Farming
"Agrivoltaics combines agriculture and solar energy, leveraging technology and AI for increased yields and electricity generation. Global government support and public preference for dual-purpose land use fuel its momentum. Despite cost-related challenges, AI optimizes growing conditions.
Innovations like mobile solar panels add flexibility. Agrivoltaics symbolizes the potential for sustainable energy and enhanced food production, showcasing adaptability for a brighter future". (Anon, 2023)
Inflation Farming in America
"Inflation in agriculture is destroying the farmers yield/production and profit margins. Especially when it came to the Ukraine and Russia war(Sarah Bowman, 30 Sept ember 2022)"
Regenerative Farming
"Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to land management that emphasises interconnectedness within the agricultural ecosystem. It diverges from the traditional linear supply chain model, focusing on the network of entities involved in growing, enhancing, exchanging, distributing, and consuming goods and services.
Drawing inspiration from Indigenous agricultural methods, regenerative agriculture aims to restore soil and ecosystem health, address inequity, and positively impact land, waters, and climate for future generations"(NRDC, 2021)
Aphids are insects belonging to the superfamily Aphidoidea, belonging to the order Hemiptera. They are part of the Aphididae family, which includes several species that cause damage to cultivated crops. The most significant aphids found in greenhouses include Myzus persicae subsp. persicae, Myzus persicae subsp. nicotianae, Aphis gossypii, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, and Aulacorthum solani.
Aphids can cause various types of damage to crops, such as extracting nutrients from plants, disrupting growth hormones, secreting excess sugar in the form of honeydew, contaminating crops with black fungal moulds, and reducing photosynthesis in leaves. Aphids' saliva can also induce allergic reactions, such as malformations of growing tips. Additionally, aphids can transmit pathogenic organisms, particularly viruses, mainly through winged individuals. Examples include potato virus Y (PVY) in tomatoes and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in cucumber.
(koppert,2024)
Life Cycle of Aphids
FallArmyWorm
The fall armyworm, native to tropical western hemisphere, is a significant pest in the southeastern states and West and Central Africa. Its life cycle spans 30 days in summer, 60 days in spring and autumn, and 80 to 90 days in winter. The moths lay dome-shaped eggs on foliage and have a wingspan of 32 to 40 mm. They cause damage to grasses and field crops, with natural enemies including parasitoids, predators, and vertebrates. Management strategies include trapping, insecticide application, early planting, host plant resistance, and biological control.(entnemdept,2024)
Desert sand into Farm Land!
Watch how this man and his students transform Desert land into Agricultural goodness! By using special tools and techniques.
Different Types of Farming
The article discusses 15 farming methods, ranging from traditional to modern, including aquaculture farming, cooperative farming, organic farming, urban farming, and nomadic farming. Sedentary farming emphasizes stability and continuous land use, while intensive farming requires significant investment. Extensive farming requires minimal investment, subsistence farming focuses on self-sustainability, and commercial farming priorities profit.
Mixed farming blends animal breeding and crop cultivation, while dry farming is suitable for arid regions. Pastoral farming specializes in mass-producing animal products, and arable farming uses natural land for crop cultivation with environmental considerations. (Shelton, 2022)
Netherlands leading the world of Agri Exports
The Netherlands stands out as one of the world's leading exporters of agricultural products, trailing only behind the United States. This accomplishment, with exports totaling 94.5 billion euros in 2019, underscores the nation's prowess in agriculture. Key factors contributing to this success include the strategic location of major ports like Rotterdam and Amsterdam, efficient infrastructure, and the ability to process imported goods for export.
Dutch products, particularly renowned items like flowers, cheese, dairy, eggs, and meat, enjoy global demand due to their quality, bolstered by stringent regulations ensuring high standards.
The significance of the agricultural sector extends beyond economic prowess. With approximately 600,000 people employed in various agricultural-related fields, it serves as a significant employer in the Netherlands. Moreover, advancements in sustainability, including animal welfare standards and the use of certified sustainable raw materials, highlight the sector's commitment to responsible production practices.
Notably, a reduction in Dutch agricultural output could potentially lead to increased production in regions with lower environmental and welfare standards, underscoring the importance of maintaining robust export figures.
In essence, the Netherlands' agricultural sector's success reflects not only economic prosperity but also its commitment to sustainability and global food security. (deheus,23 January 2020)
The real problem with GMO FoodAre GMOs Good or Bad?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using modern biotechnology, often called genetic engineering. These GM foods are produced and marketed to provide perceived advantages such as lower prices, increased durability, or enhanced nutritional value.
They primarily aim to improve crop protection through resistance to plant diseases, insects, or herbicides, leading to higher crop yields and reduced chemical usage in agriculture. Safety assessments for GM foods are more rigorous than conventional foods, focusing on allergenicity, gene transfer, and outcrossing. Despite debates and varying attitudes globally, GM foods are deemed unlikely to present risks to human health.
However, consumer confidence in food safety, particularly in Europe, has been affected by unrelated food scares, leading to increased scrutiny and calls for labeling. Regulation of GM foods varies among countries, with some lacking specific regulations.
International bodies like the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety provide guidelines and regulations for the assessment and movement of GM foods, aiming to ensure safety and facilitate international trade by harmonising safety assessments among trading partners. (World Health Organization, 2014)
Agriculture on another Level!
Witness, modern agriculture at its finest. From harvesters, to tree trimmers and pesticide sprayers, these amazing inventions help shape modern agriculture that we know today!
What You Never Knew About Farming - Heifer International
Farming is a complicated business filled with machines and pesticides and worries of not making ends meet. In many countries small family farms are the source of Food, employment and Income, making their success critical for the people they feed. Watch more at the video below.
How Do American Farmers Produce Billions Of Tons Of Food
American farmers produce billions of tons of food annually through various farming practices. In Minnesota, soybeans are grown using tractors and herbicides, while corn is cultivated using large machines. These operations contribute to the production of billions of bushels of soybeans and corn, with a significant portion used for animal feed and exports. The video also explores corn, wheat, and almond farming practices, highlighting the states with the largest production and the process of cultivating and harvesting almonds.(summarize.tech,2024)
Farms in the USA with the Largest Amount of Acres
The article highlights the top five farms in the United States based on acreage, as compiled by The Land Report. It emphasizes that these are private landowners, excluding government-owned land. The top five farms are:
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Stewart & Lynda Resnick - The Resnicks, with 190,000 farmland acres, have built a diversified agricultural empire, including citrus fruits, nuts, and beverages like POM Wonderful juice.
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Offutt Family - R.D. Offutt Farms, also with 190,000 acres, focuses on potato farming in North Dakota and engages in research for environmentally friendly practices.
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Fanjul Family - The Fanjuls own 152,000 acres in Florida's Everglades Agricultural Area, primarily cultivating sugarcane and row crops, with interests in sugar processing and energy production.
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Boswell Family - With 150,000 farmland acres in California's Central Valley, the Boswells are major cotton producers and also operate a tomato company with farm-to-table practices.
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Simplot Family - Known for supplying McDonald's with french fries, the Simplot family oversees 82,500 acres primarily in Idaho and Washington, producing various crops including potatoes.
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Each family's agricultural ventures- Are deeply rooted in their histories, with some tracing back generations, and they have significantly influenced American farming practices and industries. (Successful Farming, 2019)
Monsanto Papers!
Lee Johnson, was a man with simple dreams, faced a devastating cancer after a workplace accident. In 2018, he was thrust into the forefront of a dramatic legal battle against Monsanto, a powerful corporate giant.
The Monsanto Papers is the inside story of Johnson's lawsuit against Monsanto, a race against the clock for his life and a matter of professional pride and personal risk for his lawyers. The lawsuit presented a question of corporate accountability, as companies with enough money and influence could endanger customers, hide evidence, manipulate regulators, and get away with it for decades.
The Monsanto Papers takes readers behind the scenes of a grueling legal battle, revealing the frailties of the American court system and the lengths lawyers will go to fight corporate wrongdoing. The book is gripping with its gripping narrative force that reads like fiction, taking readers behind the scenes of a grueling legal battle.(Island Press, 2020)
Agricultureal Ecosystem
Different agricultural practices vs mother nature and agriculture.
Plant anatomy System!
Plant anatomy all the way from its roots to ints reproduction system. The plant anatomy is the most basic, yet most essential part of agriculture to understand, to produce the most proficient/ efficient crop yet.
The future of Agriculture
Look at the future of agriculture and the systems in place to combat our massive population growth .
Sorghum, an alternative for animal Feed in regenerative farming:
Sorghum is the easiest to grow, less water dependant crop and is the least pest attracted crop in the world.
Future of Farming, Ai is changing agriculture forever:
Bats as Pollinators:
The Tube-Lipped Nectar bat and its crazy Pollination story, watch the video below to see how the clever Tube-Lip plant attracts the bat and how it manipulates it, to reproduce:
Ai, is forever changing and improving. So for agriculture Ai, will be an amazing resource for crop surveillance and improvement for yield and quality. Watch for more information on this interesting topic!
Birds as Pollinators:
Bumble bees as the Pollinators:
The bumble bee does something amazing to extract its Pollen from the more difficult flowers. Watch now to see the vibrating Bumble bee do its Job!
Join the amazing Hummingbird as it feasts on its nectar in the forest.
Why is Biodiversity so Important?:
Soil and Its Importance:
Soils are the bane of all life on this planet, and has been directly and indirectly used for 95% of our food production. It contains microbes and other living organisms, which means soils require living ecosystems to keep it alive and fertile. Watch the video below to fully understand Soil and its importance on this earth.
Biodiversity is important because it supports the natural processes that sustain life on Earth. It provides us with food, medicine, clean air and water, and many other resources. Biodiversity also helps to regulate the climate and protect against natural disasters. Without it, our planet would be a much less habitable place. Watch video below to learn more!
4 Steps to improving Soil Biology:
To improve soil biology, reduce tillage, add organic matter, use cover crops, and avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Learn more from the video below!!