How One Region Has Gone from Breadbasket to Food Crisis

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I think Gary brings up some interesting points that could be circumvented in practice if, and only if, a transitory revamping of farming subsidies existed so as to remove the overhead cost of expensive, modern equipment (that increases farm productivity and efficiency).

The management aspect is indeed the cost analysis that needs to be made in order to define what would be a suitable local size to population ratio. This would help define what a productive, effective, efficient farm would be.

I don't think anyone is advocating self sustaining farms for each and every household. The idea of sustainable agriculture is to bring the food closer to the consumer. I often wonder why if HOA's can have elaborate neighborhood walkways, parks, and community pools, couldn't also have community crops and perhaps a some livestock? There are creative ways to help bring the food we eat closer to where we live - people can even have a small garden in an apartment with limited space. Perhaps towns or cities can set aside land for locally sold agriculture?

It's pie-in-the-sky thinking Steven. In this case bigger is better. When your trying to feed 300 million people plus a large portion of the rest of the world the only thing that will do it is industrial farming. Small operations like what your suggesting is poor use of the land and reduces total output.

You keep thinking top down, I'm talking about individual choice. If people would work towards growing and buying food closer to home, then we'd be better on many levels. Farmer's markets which essentially do just that are becoming increasingly popular. The point is, there are many creative ways in which we can reduce the exporting and importing of agriculture and it will be to our benefit on many levels. It will not substitute grocery stores, but make available other sources by which people purchase their food.

[HAL 9000 96]

And might I add that at THIS point, although a bit pricey (organic farmer's markets in bigger cities) the produce tastes a HELL of a lot better than regular supermarket foods. This falls apart in large cities since I've notices much of the produce in major supermarket chains to be even more expensive than mom and pop produce stores.

[GaryC 7]

I think Gary brings up some interesting points that could be circumvented in practice if, and only if, a transitory revamping of farming subsidies existed so as to remove the overhead cost of expensive, modern equipment (that increases farm productivity and efficiency).

The management aspect is indeed the cost analysis that needs to be made in order to define what would be a suitable local size to population ratio. This would help define what a productive, effective, efficient farm would be.

I don't think anyone is advocating self sustaining farms for each and every household. The idea of sustainable agriculture is to bring the food closer to the consumer. I often wonder why if HOA's can have elaborate neighborhood walkways, parks, and community pools, couldn't also have community crops and perhaps a some livestock? There are creative ways to help bring the food we eat closer to where we live - people can even have a small garden in an apartment with limited space. Perhaps towns or cities can set aside land for locally sold agriculture?

It's pie-in-the-sky thinking Steven. In this case bigger is better. When your trying to feed 300 million people plus a large portion of the rest of the world the only thing that will do it is industrial farming. Small operations like what your suggesting is poor use of the land and reduces total output.

You keep thinking top down, I'm talking about individual choice. If people would work towards growing and buying food closer to home, then we'd be better on many levels. Farmer's markets which essentially do just that are becoming increasingly popular. The point is, there are many creative ways in which we can reduce the exporting and importing of agriculture and it will be to our benefit on many levels. It will not substitute grocery stores, but make available other sources by which people purchase their food.

Your just not going to get joe sixpack and his soccermom wife to start raising their own food. I like having a garden but that is just me. A farmers market is a great idea and I do like the food you get there. One of the things I really like about the Philippines is all the fresh food at the dry and wet market. But your not going to get very many to do this, especially enough to make any difference. Today our food comes in cans or under plastic at the Kroger store. That is just the way it is.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Your just not going to get joe sixpack and his soccermom wife to start raising their own food. I like having a garden but that is just me. A farmers market is a great idea and I do like the food you get there. One of the things I really like about the Philippines is all the fresh food at the dry and wet market. But your not going to get very many to do this, especially enough to make any difference. Today our food comes in cans or under plastic at the Kroger store. That is just the way it is.

I'm glad you brought the Philippines up. What is the population there? How many Filipinos go to the supermarket to buy their food compared to buying it or growing it locally? You're making broad assumptions about people (Joe sixpack and his wife)...there is a growing demand for healthy, locally grown produce, so instead of people going to their local supermarket and buying tomatoes grown in South America, they'll go to a local farmer's market where someone has chosen to grow tomatoes. It's about choice, Gary...and choosing for a better tomorrow.

[GaryC 7]

Your just not going to get joe sixpack and his soccermom wife to start raising their own food. I like having a garden but that is just me. A farmers market is a great idea and I do like the food you get there. One of the things I really like about the Philippines is all the fresh food at the dry and wet market. But your not going to get very many to do this, especially enough to make any difference. Today our food comes in cans or under plastic at the Kroger store. That is just the way it is.

I'm glad you brought the Philippines up. What is the population there? How many Filipinos go to the supermarket to buy their food compared to buying it or growing it locally? You're making broad assumptions about people (Joe sixpack and his wife)...there is a growing demand for healthy, locally grown produce, so instead of people going to their local supermarket and buying tomatoes grown in South America, they'll go to a local farmer's market where someone has chosen to grow tomatoes. It's about choice, Gary...and choosing for a better tomorrow.

Just what are you suggesting we do Steve? You can't force people into truck farming or ban them from going to the supermarket. Where there is a demand for farmers markets there will be one. Where there isn't there will not be one. I don't understand what you want.

[HAL 9000 96]

I think Gary brings up some interesting points that could be circumvented in practice if, and only if, a transitory revamping of farming subsidies existed so as to remove the overhead cost of expensive, modern equipment (that increases farm productivity and efficiency).

The management aspect is indeed the cost analysis that needs to be made in order to define what would be a suitable local size to population ratio. This would help define what a productive, effective, efficient farm would be.

I don't think anyone is advocating self sustaining farms for each and every household. The idea of sustainable agriculture is to bring the food closer to the consumer. I often wonder why if HOA's can have elaborate neighborhood walkways, parks, and community pools, couldn't also have community crops and perhaps a some livestock? There are creative ways to help bring the food we eat closer to where we live - people can even have a small garden in an apartment with limited space. Perhaps towns or cities can set aside land for locally sold agriculture?

It's pie-in-the-sky thinking Steven. In this case bigger is better. When your trying to feed 300 million people plus a large portion of the rest of the world the only thing that will do it is industrial farming. Small operations like what your suggesting is poor use of the land and reduces total output.

You keep thinking top down, I'm talking about individual choice. If people would work towards growing and buying food closer to home, then we'd be better on many levels. Farmer's markets which essentially do just that are becoming increasingly popular. The point is, there are many creative ways in which we can reduce the exporting and importing of agriculture and it will be to our benefit on many levels. It will not substitute grocery stores, but make available other sources by which people purchase their food.

Your just not going to get joe sixpack and his soccermom wife to start raising their own food. I like having a garden but that is just me. A farmers market is a great idea and I do like the food you get there. One of the things I really like about the Philippines is all the fresh food at the dry and wet market. But your not going to get very many to do this, especially enough to make any difference. Today our food comes in cans or under plastic at the Kroger store. That is just the way it is.

The point would be, as Steven stated a moment ago, that it not be an individual farming industry. But I guess first you have to define what would constitute a local farming region.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Your just not going to get joe sixpack and his soccermom wife to start raising their own food. I like having a garden but that is just me. A farmers market is a great idea and I do like the food you get there. One of the things I really like about the Philippines is all the fresh food at the dry and wet market. But your not going to get very many to do this, especially enough to make any difference. Today our food comes in cans or under plastic at the Kroger store. That is just the way it is.

I'm glad you brought the Philippines up. What is the population there? How many Filipinos go to the supermarket to buy their food compared to buying it or growing it locally? You're making broad assumptions about people (Joe sixpack and his wife)...there is a growing demand for healthy, locally grown produce, so instead of people going to their local supermarket and buying tomatoes grown in South America, they'll go to a local farmer's market where someone has chosen to grow tomatoes. It's about choice, Gary...and choosing for a better tomorrow.

Just what are you suggesting we do Steve? You can't force people into truck farming or ban them from going to the supermarket. Where there is a demand for farmers markets there will be one. Where there isn't there will not be one. I don't understand what you want.

How do you take my statement about choice and turn into force?