Glyphosate-Hazardous to Your Health

There are so many ways for people to raise crops and listveock. Not only are the products diverse, but so are the methods of production as well as the producers themselves. Unfortunately there is Agriculture is Agriculture and We Need to Work Together Posted on April 17, 2011 There are so many ways for people to raise crops and listveock. Not only are the products diverse, but so are the methods of production as well as the producers themselves. Unfortunately there is often a divide between certain types of agriculture, and the different types tend to fight each other concerning what might be the best way to reach the end result of feeding people. So you know where I m coming from let s review my background. I grow corn, soybeans, wheat, and popcorn on 2,300 acres of landSome of our crops are genetically modified organisms (GMO) and some are not. Our popcorn, in fact, is GMO free.Yes we use chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizersNo glyphosate (RoundUp) is not the only herbicide farmers use, nor is Monsanto the end all authority for all of agricultureConventional farmers are adopting new technologies and practices that allow us to use less fuel, chemicals, and fertilizers to produce more and better quality crops. Many of these practices like no-till, minimum till, and cover crops are reducing soil erosion and improving soil quality while keep crop nutrients in the field and out of waterways From where I stand there are certainly operations larger than mine, but I suppose I fall into the category of Big Ag for a lot of people. A new label I read today is chemical farmer, so I guess you can call me that too. I read this while surfing for information about organic farming. This is the part where there is often a big divide in agriculture. Conventional farming, which is me, versus Organic Farming. These two groups often butt heads over who can produce more or better food, and what way is best in the long run. Before I started this site a few months ago, I had a different opinion of organic than I do now. I wasn t anti-organic, but I wasn t out looking to buy food that was strictly labeled organic either. To me it was just a niche way of producing food that many people are interested in consuming. At the same time, I didn t think it had much of an impact on the way I farm. On the other side, I find that there are organic farmers and eaters who very much dislike what I do for a living. Well, after joining twitter and beginning my blog, I really started connecting with other farmers and industry people and began learning more and more about different types of agriculture and how they can all work together to feed, clothe, and fuel this country and the world. Along with organic farming I ve been looking into urban farming as well. Often these types of farming can be one in the same. This video really got me thinking about how the way I farm can be combined with organic and urban to push our productivity even farther. In the video they state that New York has nearly 12,000 acres of usable rooftop that could grow food hydroponically. They are able to grow large amounts of fruits and vegetables in a relatively small space. Do I think we are going to see metropolitan rooftops covered in plants in the very near future? No, but there seems to a pretty good case to do so. So how can I benefit from this type of agriculture? An increase in food grown in or very near urban centers on relatively small amounts of space (which I think lends itself to the more intensive organic system) could free up some of the crops I grow for their many other uses. Corn isn t just used as listveock feed, food, or a food additive. It has many other uses. As I m sure you know it can also be turned into ethanol for fuel in our vehicles. Yes, I know this leads to the whole food vs fuel debate, and you can see my thoughts on that in some of my other posts. Soybeans have an enormous amount of uses from animal feed, to cleaning products, and they can also be made into very effective lubricants. One thing many of the non-food products made from corn and soybeans have in common is that they allow us to get away from petroleum-based products. Petroleum has its place obviously, and always will, but I firmly believe the United States cannot continue relying on unstable countries as sources for our oil needs. It leads to volatile prices, which as well all know, are hitting us hard in an already tough economy. If we aren t going to use our own oil resources we still are going to have to increase our energy independence to stabilize energy prices across the board. Along with bringing some consistency to the energy market, think of the jobs that would be created. I think this is one way all of agriculture can pull together and find some common ground. Overall, more food, fuel, and fiber will be produced in a sustainable way, and I think that s really what we all want.