One of the most important things about Mother Earth is that she is diverse. It's this diversity that allows all species of plant and animals to grow, change, and adapt to each other and their environments. If we take that away by creating hybrid plants immune to all pests and diseases then we create an unnatural imbalance. Corn created to be pest resistant actually carries pesticides in it, killing the pollinators as well as the potential threats. Hundreds of thousands of honey bees dying because we tampered with the balance. There are so many plants out there we could be using, and have been for generations, that are naturally pest, disease and weather tolerant! Do we really need super-plants!? The bees are just a warning of what could come later if we keep using plants with pesticides. They claim it's safe for human consumption, but what if the plants develop into something else because of imbalance? Nature is capable of evolving to suit its new environment. What if the plants which have been altered use this alteration to create it's own more powerful toxin? What if millions of stores across the globe carry this altered crop? We could poison ourselves or the animal and insect populations, just to have a crop that isn't eaten by this or that bug. Science means well but we don't need these things large companies think we do. They only look at the money they loose from occasional insect infestations vs the money they could have if they had the only pest resistant crops.
Can't they think of a better way? I can. There is far more land than there are people. If the government would teach more and better agricultural classes in schools, then more people could feed themselves. They don't have to teach everyone to be a farmer, just a fun, creative gardening class would do. Teach students about soil, weather, pests,water and the different plants suitable to their environment, along with organic gardening methods for natural pest control. Then those who desire fresh produce can grow their own at home. Not everyone wants to garden, but there are so many out there who do, and never get the chance. Perhaps they have to rent a home and the landlord only wants a pristine lawn, or perhaps they live in an apartment with no deck or balcony. The government could easily zone areas of new housing to purposely offer 1/4 city block to each home. That would give each resident lots of room to grow fresh herbs and vegetables, even fruit trees. Offer these homes through grants to people wanting a small piece of agricultural property. Together they could set up one fantastic farmers market for those unable to garden, or those who don't care for the idea. This would reduce the dependence on large-scale food producers and imported crops, while maintaining diversity. It would also teach children independence and valuable life skills. It would bring together people with common interests in the local community and create income for perhaps lower income families through the farmers market and selling of their fresh produce.
These specially zoned areas would allow older persons who may not be able to handle larger farms to keep living a healthy lifestyle, but on a much smaller scale, with continuous income. In turn, this lowers the dependence upon government assistance. Handicapped persons can utilize raised garden beds as well, offering a chance at a new hobby and reducing cost of groceries for their family. Less money spent on groceries means more money for other things they need to adapt to their handicap, also reducing dependence upon government assistance.
Teaching organic gardening methods will reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Farming using chemical fertilizers leaches into our water supply, allowing toxins to sicken or kill wildlife and in turn increasing the need for more chemicals to treat our own drinking water. Less chemicals means less money spent on poisoning the Earth. With the need for chemical fertilizers reduced, the money can be used for other purposes. Better farm equipment, or to purchase natural fertilizers like manure, or to introduce their own methods of organic farming.
These specially zoned properties could also allow small livestock like poultry for fresh meat and eggs. It could allow more jobs by introducing butchers to process meat for those who are unable to do it themselves, as well as full or part-time gardeners and assistants. Setting hens are generally very quiet, and roosters are not needed for egg production. A few hens can eat thousands of harmful insects, while at the same time fertilizing the grass and garden. They are inexpensive and easy to care for. Easy care means less chance of disease.
Having a new source of fresh produce reduces the need for shipping large quantities of unripened produce, in turn reducing the use of natural gas. The cost of zoning and building such areas would be minimal compared to the amount saved through reducing the costs of living in the community, the jobs produced, the income produced through selling fresh produce locally, and the money saved by keeping the income local.
In my area of the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago I see hundreds of acres of farmland stripped away and new mini-malls built each year. People are starving, people are homeless, why not build homes for them which would allow them the chance to feed themselves? It puts that farmland to good use, helps those in need, and reduces costs of living in local communities. The benefits outweigh the costs.
There are people out there working to protect the earth through preserving the diversity of natural seeds. One such groups is called Seed Savers.
http://www.seedsavers.org Heirloom seeds are tried and true breeds of organic plants. More and more are certified organic each year. They are naturally disease and pest resistant, weather tolerant, and suitable for most environments. You can find seeds for any growing region that already exist in that area! Not to mention being organic and not hybridized. There are also many groups that raise and protect the pure heritage breeds of livestock. A simple web search will turn up lots of sources for more information on this topic.
Changes we make today effect our future. Such a simple thing as building homes with enough land to garden could set off a chain reaction of positive changes. Buying heirloom variety seeds or heritage breed livestock reduces the dependence on large-scale farming.
I will include some of the resources known to me in the next post. Please take time to look through the ones that interest you. Feel free to post your ideas or opinions as well. Keep a positive attitude and please, no flaming. Thank you for reading this! ^_^ <3
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