Module 2: Changes in Our Food System

Question 1

How are food crises and health related?

Answer 1

food crisis corresponds to several food-related contemporary events such as “outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, food contamination, volatile food prices, food deserts, droughts and water shortages, soil depletion”

Question 2

compare and contrast family and industrialized farms.

Answer 2

family farm: linked production, diverse animals, closed loop systems, multi-cropping, poly-cultures, resilient

industrial: delinked production, off farm resources, specialized production, mono cropping, hybrid/GMO seeds, efficient

Question 3

What is the role of industrialization, technology, globalization in changing the food system?

Answer 3

intensifying agriculture & other components of the food system, such as processing, distributing, and retailing of food, all of which create abundance

Question 4

our current industrialized model of food production is unsustainable for three main reasons:

Answer 4

1.intense use of fossil fuels
2. uses renewable resources such as groundwater and soil, unsustainably.
3. produces waste that pollutes the air, water, and soil.

Question 5

What do trends about American health and food expenditure show as time progresses?

Answer 5

health expenditures have been steadily increasing while food expenditures have been decreasing

Question 6

Explain how food insecurity has a “high cost”

Answer 6

impacts the physical and mental health of people that experience food insecurity & the healthcare system. People who are food insecure often rely on cheaper foods, which are often not the healthiest

Question 7

What is Wallinga’s main point about the relationship between food and health?

Answer 7

food production affects nutrition, public health, the social health of rural communities, and the health of the agro-system; related to the socio-economic system – as there are many jobs and relationships associated with food: from seed to table

Question 8

What is reinforcing the process of industrialization?

Answer 8

trade liberation policies- benefit and encourage production and exchange of commodities and economies of scale

Question 9

What is virtual water?

Answer 9

hidden water cost embedded in producing consumer products- exporting these products means exporting our water supply

Question 10

What are the main concerns around water usage?

Answer 10

1. 80% freshwater used for agriculture/ irrigation-> could be used for drinking
2. water for industrial agriculture is decreasing groundwater in parts of the world
3. most of the water used in irrigation is for commodities (such as corn) that are exported - especially for poorer countries
   4.water pollution from agriculture

Question 11

animal manure is a source of…?

Answer 11

carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide

Question 12

Define on farm resources

Answer 12

Resources originated in the farm, including the family as a source of labor, seeds saved from previous years, manure as fertilizers, animals for transportation, etc.

Question 13

Define off farm resources

Answer 13

Resources that are external to the farm, such as fossil fuels used in machinery, and inorganic pesticides and fertilizers (also derived from fossil fuels).

Question 14

Define diversified production

Answer 14

A production strategy where farms produce many different things, e.g. corn, oats, wheat, chickens, hogs, cows, milk.

Question 15

Define linked production

Answer 15

A production strategy where crop and animal production take place concurrently in the same farm.

Question 16

Define resilient production

Answer 16

A characteristic of a production system that allows it to succeed even in face of challenges, such as unexpected changes in crop prices, climate, labor etc.

Question 17

What is emphasis on resiliency?

Answer 17

An approach to make a farm productive even in the face of challenges. This is associated with diversity: there may be issues (e.g., low prices, weather changes, sicknesses, pests) with one of the commodities (e.g., either crops or animals), but the other one could still be successful.

Question 18

What is specialized production?

Answer 18

A production strategy where farms specialize in only one or two types of crops, or even specific processes. Specialization increases vulnerability. For instance, when crop prices are low, there are more risks for farmers because they produce only one or two commodities.

Question 19

Define commodities

Answer 19

Items such as specialized crops like corn, soy, wheat, as well as cattle, and pork, that are exchanged in large quantities in the market, not only for food but also, energy, animal feed, industrial use etc.

Question 20

Define delinked production

Answer 20

A production strategy where animal and crop production are separated. They do not take place in the same farm.

Question 21

What is emphasis on efficiency?

Answer 21

An approach to make a farm obtain the highest possible profit with the lowest possible operating costs.

Question 22

Define manure

Answer 22

A natural element used to improve the nutrients in the soil. Although animal waste is normally used, it is also possible to use crop waste to generate “green” manure

Question 23

What is capital intensive farming?

Answer 23

A farm that requires a lot of investments in infrastructure, machinery, inputs, therefore being a, entry barrier for new farmers.

Question 24

What is crop rotation?

Answer 24

An approach to use the same parcel of land for different purposes throughout a period of time, including different crop or animal production.

Question 25

What is multi cropping?

Answer 25

A production strategy where several crops are produced in the same farm.

Question 26

Define economies of scale

Answer 26

An approach to save money with the production of large quantities. See the chart below for a graphic representation.

Question 27

Define monocropping.

Answer 27

A production strategy where only one crop is produced in the same farm, year after year.

Question 28

define closed loop system

Answer 28

A type of system that uses outputs as inputs, such as the case of manure from animals being used as fertilizers for plants. On the other hand, working animals are fed on forage. Note that no significant waste is produced.

Question 29

define open pollinated seeds

Answer 29

A type of seed “created when two of the same variety of plant are pollinated, usually by wind, birds, or insects producing offspring similar to their parents. All heirloom seeds are open pollinators

Question 30

define hybrid seeds

Answer 30

A type of seed that is “a cross between genetic materials of two different but related plants to produce new, desirable traits that can’t be produced breeding two of the same plants”

Question 31

define GMO seeds

Answer 31

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), produced by “combining or slicing together genes from different organisms in the lab through recombinant DNA technology”

Question 32

Define polycultures

Answer 32

A production strategy where there are several living species being produced in the same farm, such as different crops and animals. Similar to multicropping

Question 33

Define monocultures

Answer 33

A production strategy where only one species (crop or animal) is produced in the same farm, year after year. Similar to monocropping, but with the inclusion of animals.

Question 34

Define integrated ecosystems

Answer 34

A type of system where multiple crops and animals are able to protect crops from natural enemies.

Question 35

Define productionist mindset

Answer 35

An approach that considers that short term gains in quantity and yield are over all other priorities.

Question 36

define trade liberalization

Answer 36

removal/reduction of restrictions/barriers on the free exchange of goods between nations; Economists often view easing/eradication of these restrictions as efforts to promote free trade

Question 37

define the commons

Answer 37

The cultural and natural resources accessible to all members of a society, including natural materials such as air, water, and a habitable earth. These resources are held in common, not owned privately