For research comparing the sustainability of local vs modern supply chains, see my posts under economics and sustainability at economics principles and applications dot blogspot dot com
Modern production practices (biotech, pharmaceutical technologies) processing & supply chain mgt made possible by companies like monsanto, ADM, Cargill, & Wal-Mart stack up very well in energy use/GHG emissions vs. Local sourcing
When you include GHG associated with both production and transportation, that's where the local and other less conventional models of food production have the greatest challenge in terms of sustainability.
Of course Pollan was not saying anything positive about corn, thats the geniuos of including it in this video, that he has gotten so tied up in emotive political ends, he's overlooked the miracles of modern science and corn production, he misses the forest for the trees in that quote. That's the
The point is, most of tge farms that get classified by activists as 'industrial' including most CAFO's are in fact family owned, and considering all of the evidence presented in this video, and more, come closer to meeting your definition of sustainable than smaller scale organic/local models.
"Not one definition fits sustainable agriculture."
False. Sustainable agriculture is that which can be continued perpetually without causing its own destruction or the destruction of the world around it.
Modern agriculture is NOT sustainable agriculture.
Organic does not equal sustainable. In fact, organic has come to mean so many things that it now means nearly nothing. Many sustainable farmers don't even bother calling their products organic, because organic is just a catchphrase that supermarkets use to sell certain product lines
He isn't saying positive things about corn. The US is addicted to subsidizing much of its domestic agriculture, with corn near the top of the list. We produce more than we need. As a result, we've put corn in things that we don't need to put it in, with HFCS and biofuels as a key example. Corn production isn't the savior of the US food supply - it's forcing its way in.
These numbers likely include transportation connected to ag in the gross transport number. Most sustainable initiatives are also local; most industrially produced food travels thousands of miles before it is consumed. Sustainable ag would cut down on ghg emissions tied to transportation.
First of all, family does not mean sustainable. I personally know of several "family" farms that actually function more like a CAFO. But this statistic is almost useless in what you're trying to say. How much larger is the typical industrial ag operation than the typical family farm? There are more family farms because they are much smaller. One industrial farm could be the size of dozens of family farms. What you really need to look at here is output.
And how long do you think modern industrial agriculture is going to last as fossil fuel becomes more scarce and more expensive? Industrial agriculture exists because of inexpensive fuel, and it won't remain inexpensive for much longer.
Scene. Note, as indicated in the literature improved biodiversity is actually a direct and indirect effect of biotechnology, just one component of many that makes biotech so sustainable. I'm also confused about 'real farming.' Nearly 100% of all farms are family farms, and given the very large rate of biotechnology production, most rely heavily on green technologies like biotech. This is true for all farm sizes, including biotech's largest growing market segment, small landholds in the developi
@LACYV1 I'm not sure where you are coming from exactly. I would encourage you to watch the video once more, but pause and review the scientific research associated with each s
You make me sick. Promoting the death of biodiversity, and encouraging unsustainable farming practices because you are too scared or lazy to advocate real farming?
Excellent telling of the facts. Too bad most people aren't interested in facts. I'd like to see you show how less progressive types of agriculture are not sustainable because simply saying modern agriculture is sustainable doesn't make it so. I know it is, but, obviously, some people don't know that--or don't want to.
@millasmen also note, we gave most of those corporations the power they asked for via the extremely rigorous regulations on biotech via the FDA, USDA, and EPA .
@millasmen Bear in mind, also at this time (after WWII) the use of 'nuclear breeding' came about where plants where bombarded with varying levels of nuclear radiation to cause unpredictable mutations to hopefully improve yields. Today's organic standards still embrace this technique. Also note. GMO's have largely reduced chemical use, while the LD 50 rate and persistence of many chemicals pesticides *allowed* in organic food are worse than those utilized in biotech crops.
What a load of b*ll*cks. Keep it local. Keep it organic. Think they failed to mention the gm crops that in scientific research were found to have given rats lesions but still got them on the supermarket shelves because the big corporations hold all the power. Oh and what about the fact that insecticides came about after WWII when there were loads of chemicals left over from nerve gas???
Kudos to you mygodsgrace1! I think that is great. I'm glad some people can farm that way and we have the choice to consume that way. Scientifically I don't think it is sustainable for billions of people to all eat that way. And as you know, most of the references for the video were references to comments from real farmers like yourself or peer reviewed academic research. I myself have no connection to 'Big Agriculture' other than my passion for 98% of all farms that are family farms, as depict
First they ignore you, and then they ridicule you, *then they fight you*, and then you win. I'm glad they are fighting back on YouTube, as it signals progress in the battle against big ag. Grow some of your own food now, and buy food from your local farmers. It's the best way to get healthy food and put pressure on the machine that is killing us with poisonous industrial food!
This is so full of lies I about choked reading it! Typical propaganda by BIG AG who are interested in Big Profits, not healthy safe food. I am a small farmer. I produce pure food from real live soil. No chemical fertilizers , pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or gmo's. Pure natural health giving food as God designed in the first place.
@mygodsgrace1, you are growing food "as God designed in the first place?" Generations of plant and animal breeding improved them to the point they are barely recognizable as what God designed. In Biblical times, you'd sow a kernel of corn and reap 5-10 kernels. Crops were so unproductive compared to modern crops that nearly everyone was involved in farming every day. Even a potter had a family field and maybe a few animals. Only the very richest people didn't work with the soil or keep animals.
For research comparing the sustainability of local vs modern supply chains, see my posts under economics and sustainability at economics principles and applications dot blogspot dot com
Ageconomist 3 months ago
Modern production practices (biotech, pharmaceutical technologies) processing & supply chain mgt made possible by companies like monsanto, ADM, Cargill, & Wal-Mart stack up very well in energy use/GHG emissions vs. Local sourcing
Ageconomist 3 months ago
When you include GHG associated with both production and transportation, that's where the local and other less conventional models of food production have the greatest challenge in terms of sustainability.
Ageconomist 3 months ago
...the irony in his own words he admits without realizing the positive impacts of modern agriculture
Ageconomist 3 months ago
Of course Pollan was not saying anything positive about corn, thats the geniuos of including it in this video, that he has gotten so tied up in emotive political ends, he's overlooked the miracles of modern science and corn production, he misses the forest for the trees in that quote. That's the
Ageconomist 3 months ago
Your points re organic are well taken and i agree
Ageconomist 3 months ago
Your points re o
Ageconomist 3 months ago
The point is, most of tge farms that get classified by activists as 'industrial' including most CAFO's are in fact family owned, and considering all of the evidence presented in this video, and more, come closer to meeting your definition of sustainable than smaller scale organic/local models.
Ageconomist 3 months ago
"Not one definition fits sustainable agriculture."
False. Sustainable agriculture is that which can be continued perpetually without causing its own destruction or the destruction of the world around it.
Modern agriculture is NOT sustainable agriculture.
shanehughes3 3 months ago
Organic does not equal sustainable. In fact, organic has come to mean so many things that it now means nearly nothing. Many sustainable farmers don't even bother calling their products organic, because organic is just a catchphrase that supermarkets use to sell certain product lines
shanehughes3 3 months ago
Michael Pollan:
He isn't saying positive things about corn. The US is addicted to subsidizing much of its domestic agriculture, with corn near the top of the list. We produce more than we need. As a result, we've put corn in things that we don't need to put it in, with HFCS and biofuels as a key example. Corn production isn't the savior of the US food supply - it's forcing its way in.
shanehughes3 3 months ago
On your data about ghg emissions:
These numbers likely include transportation connected to ag in the gross transport number. Most sustainable initiatives are also local; most industrially produced food travels thousands of miles before it is consumed. Sustainable ag would cut down on ghg emissions tied to transportation.
shanehughes3 3 months ago
"98% of all farms are family farms."
First of all, family does not mean sustainable. I personally know of several "family" farms that actually function more like a CAFO. But this statistic is almost useless in what you're trying to say. How much larger is the typical industrial ag operation than the typical family farm? There are more family farms because they are much smaller. One industrial farm could be the size of dozens of family farms. What you really need to look at here is output.
shanehughes3 3 months ago
And how long do you think modern industrial agriculture is going to last as fossil fuel becomes more scarce and more expensive? Industrial agriculture exists because of inexpensive fuel, and it won't remain inexpensive for much longer.
amberb57 4 months ago
Scene. Note, as indicated in the literature improved biodiversity is actually a direct and indirect effect of biotechnology, just one component of many that makes biotech so sustainable. I'm also confused about 'real farming.' Nearly 100% of all farms are family farms, and given the very large rate of biotechnology production, most rely heavily on green technologies like biotech. This is true for all farm sizes, including biotech's largest growing market segment, small landholds in the developi
Ageconomist 5 months ago
@LACYV1 I'm not sure where you are coming from exactly. I would encourage you to watch the video once more, but pause and review the scientific research associated with each s
Ageconomist 5 months ago
You make me sick. Promoting the death of biodiversity, and encouraging unsustainable farming practices because you are too scared or lazy to advocate real farming?
LACYV1 5 months ago
Excellent telling of the facts. Too bad most people aren't interested in facts. I'd like to see you show how less progressive types of agriculture are not sustainable because simply saying modern agriculture is sustainable doesn't make it so. I know it is, but, obviously, some people don't know that--or don't want to.
PippiLongsox 9 months ago
@millasmen also note, we gave most of those corporations the power they asked for via the extremely rigorous regulations on biotech via the FDA, USDA, and EPA .
Ageconomist 9 months ago
@millasmen Bear in mind, also at this time (after WWII) the use of 'nuclear breeding' came about where plants where bombarded with varying levels of nuclear radiation to cause unpredictable mutations to hopefully improve yields. Today's organic standards still embrace this technique. Also note. GMO's have largely reduced chemical use, while the LD 50 rate and persistence of many chemicals pesticides *allowed* in organic food are worse than those utilized in biotech crops.
Ageconomist 9 months ago
What a load of b*ll*cks. Keep it local. Keep it organic. Think they failed to mention the gm crops that in scientific research were found to have given rats lesions but still got them on the supermarket shelves because the big corporations hold all the power. Oh and what about the fact that insecticides came about after WWII when there were loads of chemicals left over from nerve gas???
millasmen 9 months ago 2
Kudos to you mygodsgrace1! I think that is great. I'm glad some people can farm that way and we have the choice to consume that way. Scientifically I don't think it is sustainable for billions of people to all eat that way. And as you know, most of the references for the video were references to comments from real farmers like yourself or peer reviewed academic research. I myself have no connection to 'Big Agriculture' other than my passion for 98% of all farms that are family farms, as depict
Ageconomist 10 months ago
First they ignore you, and then they ridicule you, *then they fight you*, and then you win. I'm glad they are fighting back on YouTube, as it signals progress in the battle against big ag. Grow some of your own food now, and buy food from your local farmers. It's the best way to get healthy food and put pressure on the machine that is killing us with poisonous industrial food!
GordonWalton 1 year ago
@GordonWalton, buying local is also a good way to increase your carbon footprint, from driving around to all these local farms.
PippiLongsox 9 months ago
This is so full of lies I about choked reading it! Typical propaganda by BIG AG who are interested in Big Profits, not healthy safe food. I am a small farmer. I produce pure food from real live soil. No chemical fertilizers , pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or gmo's. Pure natural health giving food as God designed in the first place.
mygodsgrace1 1 year ago
@mygodsgrace1, show me some Big Ag farms. I've been on many, many farms, and have yet to see a farm that is not a family farm.
PippiLongsox 9 months ago
@mygodsgrace1, you are growing food "as God designed in the first place?" Generations of plant and animal breeding improved them to the point they are barely recognizable as what God designed. In Biblical times, you'd sow a kernel of corn and reap 5-10 kernels. Crops were so unproductive compared to modern crops that nearly everyone was involved in farming every day. Even a potter had a family field and maybe a few animals. Only the very richest people didn't work with the soil or keep animals.
PippiLongsox 9 months ago