Unit 5 Agricultural territory Can Farmers Work the Land Without Destroying It?

Nearly 80% of the Quebec population lives in the St. Lawrence Plain Region. Its also where most of Quebecs farms are found. This means city and country thus share the same space. Most farms are located close to urban centres (cities).

Co-existence of city (urban) and country (rural) raises several questions: Do cities encroach on farmlands? Are farming activities harmful to the environment? How should territories handle the problem of smell and pollution? How should territories be developed?

Characteristics of Quebec Farms In Quebec, cities and farms have been sharing space for a long time. Farmers began settling along the St. Lawrence Region centuries ago. Why this region? It has ideal climate for farming. It has fertile soil for farming. It has a nearby river for transporting people and goods.

In southern Quebec, cities are taking over farmland. Residential neighbourhoods, factories, shopping centres, roads and highways etc.) are taking over green space.

Why don`t farmers settle farther away from cities? 1 st reason: The climate and soil is less fertile as we travel farther away from the St. Lawrence Region. 2 nd reason: Transporting products becomes really expensive if farmers live far away from urban centres. Gas is expensive!

3 rd reason: Farmers depend (rely) on other businesses to get supplies and services. Farmers depend (rely) on other businesses to get supplies and services. For example, a farmer will need quick service from a repairman if a machine breaks down on his farm. For example, a farmer will need quick service from a repairman if a machine breaks down on his farm. These other businesses need to be close by for immediate help. These other businesses need to be close by for immediate help.

Range: It’s land that runs along the length of the road. The land is divided into rectangles. Range residents lived close to one another. They relied on each other for help.

Disagreements Arise Amongst Range Residents: Farmers have different approaches to land use. Some farmers prefer to use chemical fertilizers while others use natural fertilizers. It may cause conflict if the soil from one range contaminates the neighbouring range.

Bigger, but Fewer Farms in Quebec: The number of farms is decreasing, while the average farm size is increasing. The number of farms is decreasing, while the average farm size is increasing. Dairy Farming in Quebec (Qc): Dairy production is the most important agricultural industry in Quebec. One in four farms is a dairy farm. One third (1/3) of Canada`s dairy production is found in Quebec.

Farmers and the Development of Rural Communities: Farmers create jobs. 1 in 8 jobs is linked to the agri-food industry. Farmers preserve and take care of the countryside.

An Agricultural Economy with Global Ties: One way Quebec is linked with other countries around the world is through imports and exports of agricultural products. Imports : Products that come from far away places. Exports : Products we sell to other countries.

I.e. Quebec exports pork to Japan and gets its fresh vegetables from California or Mexico

Importing and Exporting the Same Agricultural Product: Quebec exports apples- but imports other varieties too. Making Connections Between Agriculture and Environment: 1. AGRICULTURAL ZONED LAND (Green Zones): We have laws that protect Quebec farms. Only farming is permitted in green zones.

Why were such laws necessary? Urban sprawl* was encroaching on farmland. *It is the spreading of a city and its suburbs over farm land. Is the law working? (Is it effective?): The farming law remains controversial.

a) a) People in favor of Agricultural Zoned Land: They are against developing new neighbourhoods over farmland. Reserving land for farming only is the only solution. b) People against Agricultural Zoned Land: They feel zoning land for farming only goes too far. It become impossible to build anything because this law goes too far.

c) People not satisfied with currrent law: Some people feel the current law is not strict enough because it still allows for polluting farming practises to continue (straying chemicals and pesticides etc.). 2. Production without Destruction: The 6 requirements for farming: a) a) Clearing and working the land b) b) Planting

c) Spreading fertilizers * and pesticides * Fertilizers: Organic or chemical substance added to the soil to make it fertile. Pesticides: A chemical used to kill pests. Pests are rodents and insects that attack and destroy crop fields. d) Using heavy Machinery e) Digging ditches

f) Diverting* streams or even rivers *Changing the direction of the flow of water… Farming activities have a negative impact on the environment.

What are the negative consequences of farming activities? 1. Fertilizers/pesticides contaminate water. Its absorbed by the soil and ends up in rivers, lakes and groundwater. 2. Habitats are transformed which threatens biodiversity. 3. Pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics can be hazardous to the health of farm workers and consumers. 3. Pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics can be hazardous to the health of farm workers and consumers.

How did farming come to this? Profoundly changed since 1950s. Farms are fewer but bigger. Farming is much more intensive: Fuels, pesticides and fertilizers are used in massive quantities increase production Harmful products to the environment are absorbed into the soil and make their way into the groundwater, rivers and lakes.

Point Source Pollution vs. Non-Point Source Pollution: Point Source Pollution: Linked to industrial and urban activities. The source has been identified (i.e. pulp and paper industry). Non-Point Source Pollution: Linked to farming actvities. The pollution (pesticides etc.) spreads beyond the farmed area as it infiltrates the soil and travels into the groundwater, rivers, lakes etc.

3. Watershed-based management: It involves preserving both the quantity and quality of the water flowing through a territory. Farming activities often contaminate water. How? Whatever fertilizers/pesticides cannot be absorbed by the crops runs off the surface, is absorbed into the soil and makes its way into the streams, rivers and lakes.

What is a watershed? A watershed is an area of land where all of the water (surface and groundwater) flows to the lowest point - usually a lake, river, or stream.

4. Hog farms: Quebec produces more pork than any other Canadian province. Located mostly in the Chaudiere, Yamaska and l'Assomption regions. Hog production has increased in the last 40 years. Number of hog farms has decreased. This means more pigs are being crammed into closed spaces. More liquid manure is affecting water quality in watersheds (there is more liquid manure than there is farmland to spread it on).

Protecting the Environment While Satisfying Demand: It is possible to reduce hog farm pollution. Create balance between number of hogs and the area available for spreading liquid manure.

Quebec Pork Exports: World market demands are strong. Nearly ½ of all Quebec pork is exported. Pork is leading agricultural export in Quebec. Hog farming has become an economic issue: Striking a balance between building a strong economy while addressing environmental concerns.

Intensive Farming vs. Sustainable Farming Intensive Farming aims for higher productivity and more profits. Characteristics: Large-sized farms Farmers invests a lot in machinery, fertilizers, buildings, pesticides, labour. Specialize in one type of production (Ex. hog farm). Concentration of production (more and more livestock in the same area). Fierce competition among farmers

Sustainable Agriculture aims to meet human food needs while protecting natural resources (soil, water, air, plant and animal biodiversity). Its specific goals: To protect, nourish and enrich the soil. To sow natural seeds and farm the land using crop rotation and organic fertilizers.

These farmers reject animal overcrowding in closed farm buildings. 5. Organic Farming: It refers to: A way of farming without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs (Genetically modified organism) Farmers view their farms as ecosystems and work as much as possible with natural products and practises (Animal feed, insect control, organic fertilizers) maintain a balance of number of animals and size of farm; and they preserve wooded areas to prevent clear-cutting of trees.