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Lauren Bratslavsky Libby Carey Katie Gibson Bethany Weber Reaching a Compromise: Organic Farming and Conventional Options on Four Mile Creek.

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Presentation on theme: "Lauren Bratslavsky Libby Carey Katie Gibson Bethany Weber Reaching a Compromise: Organic Farming and Conventional Options on Four Mile Creek."— Presentation transcript:

1 Lauren Bratslavsky Libby Carey Katie Gibson Bethany Weber Reaching a Compromise: Organic Farming and Conventional Options on Four Mile Creek

2 :Farming on Four Mile: Erosion Chemical Pollution Increased Nutrients

3 :Erosion: Undercutting Steep banks Muddy waters

4 :Farm Runoff: Cows grazing Pipes with runoff Feedlot runoff No buffer zone

5 :Tests: Nitrate levels Phosphate levels Sediment load Algae growth observations

6

7 :Results: Hypothesis High nitrate levels High phosphate levels Higher sediment load High algae growth

8 :the real Results: [ see hand out ]

9 Organic Farming = Solution Organic farming was created in response to some of the detrimental effects of farm chemicals and practices. Organic farming is an attempt to have the impact of a farm to be more similar to natural processes so the overall impact is less. “The term ‘organic’ is best thought of as referring not to the type of inputs used, but to the concept the farm as an organism” (Lampkin)

10 :some organic facts: Organic farming works with nature to produce healthy, nutritious food in such a way that it is beneficial to man and also to our planet The market for organic foods is expanding in the wake of various food scares such as the BSE saga (Mad Cow disease) and outbreaks of e.coli poisoning, which have alarmed consumers and prompted them to seek organic alternatives

11 What can organic farming really do? No chemicals –does not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides so these do not enter the watershed Biological controls Environmentally Conscious

12 :downsides: Economics Conversion Market Farm problems (weeds, pests) Labor intensive Red tape Lack of information sources Low opinion of organic farmers

13 :The Economics: “It is at least possible that, even if it were true that organic farming was financially unsound, it might still be economically justified” - Bateman “Under current governmental policies, organic farming enterprises generally are slightly less profitable that comparable conventional enterprises” - Anderson

14 :The Economics: + cost reduction in fertilizers + organic products higher market price + environmental benefits - large initial investment - low yields - labor intensive

15 :Conversion: 3 years until fully ‘organic’ audits inspections (to be certified organic)

16 :Market: currently small but growing risky Psychology of an organic consumer Food more costly Less advertising

17 :Management Difficulties: labor intensive lower output red tape paper work

18 :Lack of Information: Chemical fertilizers/pesticides heavily marketed to farmers General public Lack of resources and support for those interested in organic farming

19 :Conventional Farming Options: precision agriculture conservation tillage nutrient management animal management Are these as good as organic?

20 :CONCLUSIONS: While organic farming would be environmentally ideal for the health of Four Mile creek, it is unclear if it is a viable option for the community as a whole.


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