The Importance of Agricultural Education
No, chicken wings do not grow back. No, chocolate milk does not come from chocolate cows. No, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not bad for you. Simple things such as these people have gotten confused. Our society has become so separated between the urban and rural districts that we have essentially forgotten how the other half lives. These misunderstandings are not harmless, however. They can breed a deep problem in the entire industry of agriculture. These misconceptions about the food industry produce a lack of productivity in the industry. Education is essential to solving this problem.
The first thing that people seem to forget is that farmers do have compassion in their souls, just like everyone else. When an agriculturalist goes out to work every day, they don’t do so with anger or malice; they are simply striving towards two main goals; to make a living, and to provide safe, affordable, and accessible food to the world. The best example towards the latter goal is a man named Norman Borlaug who devoted his life to genetically modifying crops. Through his studies he saved hundreds of millions of lives from starvation, and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for this work (Hesser vii). This way of thinking is even more pertinent today, with population expecting to grow to 9 billion by the year 2050 (Monsantoco). All of the changes farmers make in their production habits are to meet this need.
There are major misconceptions in the agriculture industry. Many of these are bred by a lack of understanding of the system. Organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States) add to these misunderstandings. For instance, PETA once posted an article attesting to the cruel and unhealthiness of cow’s milk (“Cow’s Milk: A Cruel and Unhealthy Product”). From reading this article, one would be lead to believe that farmers are uncaring towards their animals, and are perfectly fine with handing a tainted product over to the public. This could not be more incorrect. In contrast, Countryfarm Lifestyles posted an informative article attesting to the beneficial practices of milking cows, and how to do so with the care of the animal in mind ("Milking Cows and How To Get More Milk out of Your Dairy Cow with Good Feed and Care”). This article reflects the care and effort farmers put into their operations, and how seriously they take their product.
Another practice some people contend is the use of GMOs. Essentially, genetically modifying organisms yields the same result as cross-breeding, which has been a common practice for centuries. The definition of a GMO according to TheFreeDictionary.com is, “An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using the techniques of genetic engineering” (“Genetically Modified Organism”). This practice has many benefits, including enhanced taste and quality, reduced maturation time, increased nutrients, yields, and stress tolerance, improved resistance to disease, pests, and herbicides, conservation of soil, water, and energy, and even increases food security for growing populations (“Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms”). That means that GMOs can feed more people more efficiently from less resources than ever before. This has saved millions of lives as we have seen with Norman Borlaug, and will continue to save lives as long as the research in this field continues.
The most controversial of the issues would have to be the meat portion of the industry. There have been many stories, articles, films, and books circulating about the ways animals are being raised. The most popular is a film entitled Food, Inc. This movie gives off the idea that all producers have something to hide, and that our food is not healthy (Food, Inc.). The first myth that Food, Inc. portrays is that the conventional way of farming (using GMOs and high production operations) is inhumane, as well as economically and environmentally unsustainable. The truth of this matter is that the evolution of farming has brought on changes that the 98% of the population who are not living on farms cannot understand (“Myths and Facts About Meat Production”). Dr. Nina Fedoroff, administrator for the Agency for International Development of Science and Technology, said about this, “We’ve gotten so good at growing food that we’ve gone, in a few generations, from nearly half of Americans living on farms to 2 percent. We no longer think about how the wonderful things in the grocery store got there, and we’d like to go back to what we think is a more natural way. But I’m afraid we can’t, in part, because there are just too many of us in this world. If everybody switched to organic farming, we couldn’t support the earth’s current population — maybe half,” (“Myths and Facts About Meat Production”).
This is not to say that organic, free range, and other various types of farming are not beneficial. All products, no matter how they were raised, are inspected and regulated for safety and quality to ensure the best possible product for the public. Non-conventional farming types may have other benefits, as well. In the documentary American Meat directed by Graham Meriwether, they investigate the realms of non-conventional types of farming and have found that many people prefer the taste of these products more than conventional (American Meat). There are ways of raising animals in different fashions that can self-sustain, are productive, and are very tasty (American Meat). However, these non-conventional operations can never hope to yield as great of a result as the conventional styles.
This brings in another complexity to the issue. There is no clear cut good or bad way to raise an animal between conventional and non-conventional styles. What we must look at instead are the benefits of both. Both operation types have strong places in today’s market, however conventionally raised meat is much cheaper. Why? Because when livestock are raised in a non-conventional way, there is less of a yield for each dollar put in. In short, raising animals in a non-conventional fashion is simply more expensive. This is not necessarily a bad thing, for diversities in the market are a good thing; they give people more options to choose what they wish to consume on the budget they have.
Nonetheless, many people do not understand these things, and it has caused turbulence in the agricultural industry. One large issue in the industry was a ballot proposition in California known as Prop 2 or Standards for Confining Farm Animals. The goal of this proposition was to mandate larger spaces for confined animals’ homes. This may have been a good step, however, mandating that buildings, stalls, and crate sized be increased could pose an expense that small family farms cannot afford. The major funder of the campaigning for Prop 2 was HSUS, donating over four million dollars; more than all of the major sponsors of the con-Prop 2 campaign combined (“California Proposition 2, Standards for Confining Farm Animals (2008)”). By putting the small family farms out of business, this proposition only added to the steam of major agribusinesses that they were hoping to unnecessarily target.
This is most certainly not the only farming aspect that has become over-regulated. Senator Roberts, a Republican from Kansas, has this to say about over-regulation, “As we think about EPA’s actions impacting agriculture, it is critical to recognize that no one cares more about maintaining a clean environment than the American farmer and rancher. They know firsthand that clean air and water and healthy soil go hand-in-hand with a healthy economy. Our producers deserve respect and appreciation from the EPA, not costly and redundant regulation,” (Agri-Pulse).
As you can see, there are many issues in the agriculture industry that have been brought on by a lack of understanding. This means that something needs to be addressed. Agriculture classes, tours, and resources need to be available to everyone. Too many schools have cut their agriculture programs in an effort to save money. Starting this education at a young age is beneficial on many levels; it brings diversity, a wider understanding, valuable skills, and many wonderful opportunities. What we need to solve a multitude of the industry’s issues are a new generation of educated, talented, driven producers as well as consumers, politicians, and members of society.
This means that every high school across the United States needs to have agriculture education. Every school, no matter rural, urban, or inner city, should have access to the knowledge and education about this massive industry that they deserve. They need to understand that agriculture is not just Bubba Ray up on his tractor planting corn. Agriculture is everything from the cotton in your clothes, to the food on your plate, to the soybean based foam in the seat of your car. As soon as this education is grounded and established, such an amazing understanding and appreciation will grow towards the producers.
Not only should students and youth have access to agricultural education resources, but adults have the right as well. Imagine the benefits of a local farmer coming into a suburb, city, or inner city community center or library to present their goals. Imagine how much the average adult could learn simply by conversing with such a farmer or agriculturalist. The rewards of a practice such as this would be astronomical.
But what can you do? First of all, contact your local school district and enlighten them to the many benefits of an agricultural program if they do not already have one. If they do, you can take action by supporting the local or state FFA Organization that promotes premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education (National FFA Organization). To help your whole community, try to organize a town hall meeting with a local farmer. Maybe even just make an effort to attend your local farmer’s market and visit with the vendors. If you take strides to become more educated yourself, it’s amazing how many other lives you can benefit.
Essentially, what this society needs is a better understanding of the agricultural industry. Through in depth programs, classes, and organizations, our society can better themselves, as well as the industry that supports them. Education should not be a possibility, it should be standard. Encourage your community to expand their understandings. Contact your local schools and farmers. Set up meetings. Create informational brochures with a local agriculturalist. There are so many options, and all of them can help. Every bit helps. After all, everyone deserves to know why chicken wings don’t, in fact, grow back.
Works Cited
Agri-Pulse Staff. "Senator Roberts Blasts Federal Regulations 'damaging to Agriculture and Consumers' | AgriPulse." Agri-Pulse Communications Inc. Agri-Pulse, 2012. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.
American Meat Institute. Myths and Facts About Meat Production. American Meat Institute, 2009. Safe Food Inc. American Meat Institute, 2009. Web. 8 Apr. 2012.
American Meat. Dir. Graham Meriwether. Perf. Steve Ells, Johnny Glosson and Tommy Glosson. 2010. DVD.
"California Proposition 2, Standards for Confining Farm Animals (2008)." Ballotpedia. 10 Feb. 2012. Web. 08 Apr. 2012.
"Cow's Milk: A Cruel and Unhealthy Product." PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA, 2012. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
Food, Inc. Dir. Robert Kenner. Perf. Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser and Richard Lobb. 2008. DVD.
"Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms" Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 5 Nov. 2008. Web. 07 Apr. 2012.
"Genetically Modified Organism." TheFreeDictionary.com. Farlax, 2007. Web. 07 Apr. 2012.
Hesser, Leon F. The Man Who Fed the World: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and His Battle to End World Hunger : An Authorized Biography. Dallas, TX: Durban House Pub., 2006. Print.
"Milking Cows and How To Get More Milk out of Your Dairy Cow with Good Feed and Care." Milking Cows: Getting More Milk out of Your Dairy Cow With Good Feed and Care. Countryfarm Lifestyles, 2010. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.
Monsantoco, Megan. "Ag Education: It's More Than Learning Where Chocolate Milk Comes From – Monsanto Blog - Beyond the Rows." Ag Education: It's More Than Learning Where Chocolate Milk Comes From – Monsanto Blog. Monsanto, 12 July 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2012.
National FFA Organization. "Mission and Motto." National FFA Organization; Agricultural Education. National FFA Organization, 2012. Web. 8 Apr. 2012.
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