Spice of Life Classes 31-34, Fall 2013
Sustainable Agriculture
I.
Overview of Sustainability
A. A working definition:
"Sustainable Development is the management and conservation of the
natural resource base, and the orientation of technological and
institutional change in such a manner as to ensure the attainment and
continued satisfaction of human needs for present and future
generations. Such sustainable development (in the agriculture, forestry,
and fisheries sectors) conserves land, water, plant and animal genetic
resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate,
economically viable and socially acceptable." (This definition was
adopted in 1989 by FAO, according to the FAO Trainer’s Manual, Vol. 1,
"Sustainability issues in agricultural and rural development policies,"
1995)
II.
Overview of the Reflection Paper
Over the next several class periods, you will be asked to watch videos and read
assignments from “Food Ethics”. These sources of information outline problems in
the sustainability of our world food and water supply, and propose potential
solutions. As you complete the readings and watch the videos you will be asked to
take notes and to respond to reflection questions. At the end of each class you will
then get into your teams to form a tentative team position, and to assign team duties
for the next class. Ultimately, each team will complete and turn in a short
sustainable food production reflection paper that represents your views on these
issues and their solutions.
III.
Meat: Outlining the Issues
A. “Food, Inc.” raises many issues with the way that meat is produced in
the US. List as many as you can.
B. Read the Editor’s Comments in your assigned reading, “Meat: Facing
the dilemmas,” and then list the problems with meat production
raised in that article.
IV.
Water: Outlining the Issues
A. As you did for meat, watch the video “Tapped” and list as many
sustainability problems as you can regarding the generation and
consumption of bottled water.
B. Now read the Editor’s Comments in “Water: The ethics of Efficiency”.
List the problems that he raises regarding the sustainable use of water
in agriculture.
V.
Food Waste: Outlining the Issues
A. Last but not least, outline the food waste issues that were highlighted
in the movie “Dive!”
B. Read Wasted - How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its Food
from Farm to Fork to Landfill and make a list of the sustainability
issues raised there.