1. Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food
Chapter 7
Soil, Agriculture,
and the Future of Food

2. We raise seafood with aquaculture
World wild fish populations are plummeting
Increased demand and technology
Aquaculture: raising aquatic organisms in a controlled environment
Open-water pens or land- based ponds
The fastest-growing type of food production
Most widespread in Asia

5. Aquaculture’s benefits and drawbacks
Reduces pressure on overharvested wild fish
Uses fewer fossil fuels, is safer, and produces more fish than commercial fishing
Drawbacks:
Lots of waste produced
Uses grain, which affects food supplies for people
Fish meal is made from wild ocean fish
Escaped fish introduce disease or outcompete wild fish

6. Organic agriculture
Sustainable agriculture keeps high crop yields, minimizes resource use, and decreases environmental impacts
Organic agriculture: uses no synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, or herbicides
Organic Food Production Act (1990) establishes national standards for organic products
The USDA issued criteria in 2000 by which food could be labeled organic
California, Washington, Texas passed stricter guidelines for labeling

9. Benefits and costs of organic farming
Farmers have lower input costs, enhanced income, reduced chemical pollution and soil degradation
Obstacles include the risks and costs of switching to new methods
The main obstacle to consumers is the higher price
But many are willing to pay the price
Worldwide, sales surpassed $54 billion

10. Organic agriculture is booming
U.S. consumers spent $24.8 billion on organic food in 2009
U.S. land devoted to organic agriculture has quadrupled since the mid- 1990s

11. Governments can support organic farming
The U.S Farm Bill gives $112 million over 5 years for organic agriculture
It helps defray certification costs
In 1993, the European Union started supporting farmers financially during conversion to organic farming
Reduced inputs and higher market prices will make it as profitable as conventional methods

12. Locally supported agriculture is growing
Sustainable agriculture reduces fossil fuel use from long-distance transport of products
The average U.S. food product travels 1,400 miles
Farmers’ markets: provide fresh, locally grown food
Provide organic items and unique local varieties
Community-supported agriculture (CSA)
Consumers pay farmers in advance for produce
Consumers get fresh food
Farmers get a guaranteed income

16. Conclusion
Industrialized agriculture has had substantial negative environmental consequences
To support 9 billion humans, we must shift to sustainable agriculture to prevent further land degradation
Biological pest control, organic agriculture
Pollinator protection, preservation of native crops
Aquaculture
Careful, responsible genetic modification of food 16

17. Pop Quiz!
Directions: You will have 24 minutes to complete the 25 question multiple-choice quiz.

18. Case Study Oak Clearcutting: To Cut or Not to Cut?