Sustainable Living

1
Sustainable Living

• The Problems of Agribusiness
• The Solutions for Individuals

2
The ProblemThe Monsanto Company

• The Monsanto Company is a multinational
  agricultural biotechnology corporation
• World leaders in the production of the herbicide
  glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup
• The leading producer of genetically engineered
  (GE) seeds with a market share of 70-100
• Annual revenue of 7.3 billion in 2006

3
The Problem
Monsanto has taken out more seed patents than any
other company EVER, removing the threat of
competition

• Farmers that use Monsanto seeds must use
  Monsantos herbicide because it has been
  chemically engineered to recognize the GE plants
  only

4
Patent Infringement

• Monsanto has begun highly aggressive pursuit of
  family owned farms found guilty of patent
  infringement through use and sale of seeds
  containing GE DNA without initial purchase of the
  seeds and the technology.
• However, this DNA can literally invade a
  farmers field through wind pollination,
  therefore a farmer may end up with them as well
  as a law suit.

5
GE Bans

• GE crops have been banned in the European Union,
  Japan and a number of other countries and regions
  with which the United States has historically
  traded
• Therefore any GE crops domestic farmers produce
  cannot be sold to these places, reducing the
  United States gross national product

6
Why Would the US Agree to This?

• Former Monsanto employees currently hold
  positions in US government agencies and offices
  including the FDA, the EPA and the Supreme Court
• Donald Rumsfeld is a major stock owner and made
  12 million on a 1985 merger with Monsanto
• Attorney General John Ashcroft was the top
  recipient of Monsanto contributions during his
  reelection campaign for US Senate

7
GE Crops are Not Identified

• Currently there is no system requiring
  identification of GE foods in grocery stores
• GE plants are being fed to livestock on massive
  scales
• The food you and your children eat could be
  genetically modified, and you will never know

8
Pesticides and Herbicides
9
Pesticides in a nutshell

• A pesticide is a substance or mixture of
  substances used for preventing, controlling, or
  lessening the damage caused by a pest.
• This may be a chemical substance, a biological
  agent, antimicrobial or a disinfectant

10
Environmental Concerns Associated with Pesticide
Use

• Over 98 of sprayed insecticides and 95 of
  herbicides reach a destination other than their
  target species including non-target species, air,
  water, bottom sediments and food.
• Some pesticides contribute to global warming and
  the depletion of the ozone layer
• In the US, pesticides were found to pollute
  every stream and over 90 of wells
• Pesticides hinder nitrogen fixation which is a
  major contributor to loss of soil fertility

11
Chart Compiled by the Pesticide Data Program of
the US Department of Agriculture
12
The Effect of Pesticides and Herbicides

• on Wildlife

13
The Effect of Pesticides on Wildlife

• Greater in fish-eating birds such as gulls or
  bald eagles, the use of DDT caused egg shell
  thinning in many birds of prey
• Exposure to a highly toxic insecticide can cause
  sickness or death to wildlife
• Once sick, wildlife may neglect their young,
  abandon their nests, and become more susceptible
  to predation and disease

14
Indirect Effects of Pesticides

• When herbicides or insecticides are sprayed on
  field borders and other non-crop habitats,
  wildlife lose valuable escape cover and food
• Wildlife are exposed to insecticides when they
  eat chemical residues on plants or in insects

15
Effects of Pesticides

• Wildlife that are in fields or enter fields soon
  after an insecticide has been sprayed are exposed
  when they inhale vapor or when insecticides
  contact their skin or eyes.
• Granular formulations of insecticides are a real
  hazard to birds. Birds eat granules exposed on
  the soil surface, mistaking them for food or grit.

16
Health Effects of Pesticides

• on
• Farmers, Workers and Consumers

17
Farmers Workers

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
  3 million workers in agriculture in the
  developing world experience severe poisoning from
  pesticides, about 18,000 of whom die
• According to one study, as many as 25 million
  workers in developing countries may suffer mild
  pesticides poisoning yearly

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Health Effects of Pesticides on Farmers and
Workers

• SHORT TERM
• Abdominal Pain
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin and eye problems

• LONG TERM
• Respiratory Problems
• Memory Disorders
• Dermatologic Conditions
• Cancer
• Depression
• Neurological deficits
• Miscarriages
• Birth Defects

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Health Effects of Pesticides on Consumers

• There are concerns that pesticides used to
  control pests on food crops are dangerous to
  people who consume those foods
• Many food crops, including fruits and vegetables,
  contain pesticide residues after being washed or
  peeled

20
Health Effects of Pesticides on Consumers

• How it works..
• In the United States, levels of residues that
  remain on foods are limited to tolerance levels
  that are established by the US Environmental
  Protection Agency (EPA) and are considered safe
• The EPA sets tolerances based on the toxicity of
  the pesticide and its breakdown products, the
  amount and frequency of the pesticide
  application, and how much of the pesticide
  remains in or on food by the time it is marketed
  and prepared

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How it works.. continued

• Tolerance levels are obtained using the
  scientific risk assessments that pesticide
  manufacturers are required to produce by
  conducting toxicological studies, exposure
  modeling and residue studies before are
  particular pesticide can be registered
• HOWEVER, the effects are tested for single
  pesticides, and there is little information on
  possible synergistic effects of exposure to
  multiple pesticide traces in the air, food and
  water

22
Health Effects of Pesticideson Consumers

• In the US, the National Academy of Sciences
  estimates that between 4,000 and 20,000 cases of
  cancer are caused per year by pesticide residues
  in food in allowable amounts
• Petroleum based chemicals are being found to
  cause significant attritional effects to the
  nervous system and immune system after prolonged
  exposure. Some of the illnesses include adult and
  child cancers, numerous neurological disorders,
  immune system weakening, autoimmune weakening,
  autoimmune disorders, asthma, allergies,
  infertility, miscarriage, and child and adult
  learning disabilities, mental retardation,
  hyperactivity, and attention deficit disorders

23
Health Effects of Pesticideson Our Children

• According to the Natural Resource Defense
  Council, children have been found especially
  susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides.
  A number of research studies have found higher
  incidences of brain cancer, leukemia, and birth
  defects in children with early exposure to
  pesticides
• Scientists also think that the exposure to
  pesticides in the uterus may have negative
  effects on a fetus that may manifest as problems
  such as growth and behavioral disorders or
  reduced resistance to pesticide toxicity later in
  life

24
Solutions

• Organic Foods
• Composting
• Square Foot Gardening

25
Organic Foods

• Organic is when organic produce and other
  ingredients are grown without the use of
  pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge,
  genetically modified organisms, or ionizing
  radiation

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Why Organic?

• Its better for the environment No
  pesticides means healthier soil, water, and
  wildlife.
• Buying organic supports small farmers Organic
  farmers can earn a fairer price for organic
  produce compared to factory farming
• Organic farming is good for biodiversity
• Organic Farmers are growing a wide variety of
  non-genetically modified (non-GMO) fruits and
  vegetables, resurrecting many heirloom varieties
• Its healthier for you and your family

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Food to Buy Organic

• Peaches- listed as the worst with the highest
  levels of pesticides of all conventional produce
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Apples
• Grapes ( therefore Raisins and Juice! - many
  kinds of juices have Grape Juice in them)
• Nectarines
• Apricots
• Pears

• Cherries
• Lemons- especially if zesting, should definitely
  use organic
• Limes
• Bananas - heavy chemicals for the trip to America
  including Thiabendazole which Damages the Brain
  and Nervous System. 
• Kiwis
• Pineapple
• Cantaloupe from Mexico
• Tomatoes  

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More Foods to Buy Organic

• Potatoes
• Corn Corn Syrup- most corn is now genetically
  modified! 
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Green Red Bell Peppers
• Lettuce
• Hot Peppers
• Green Beans - Acephate, Benomyl, Chlorothalonil,
  Methamidophos - Damages Brain and Nervous System,
  Cause Birth Defects
• Winter or Hard Squash
• Carrots

29
More Foods to Buy Organic

• Rice Oats - loaded with pesticides!
• Milk- antibiotics and hormones are forced into
  America's conventional dairy cow to increase
  profits
• Baby Food
• Wild Salmon
• Foods that are GE like Corn - there are more
  pesticides on genetically engineered foods so
  avoid GMO Foods
• Nuts - because of the high fat content, they hold
  on to pesticides more than others
• Anything you or your kids eat a lot of -  since
  pesticides accumulate, if you eat a lot of
  something that may not be listed here, lets say
  your kids eat peanut butter every day, then you
  should certainly avoid an excess of toxins by
  choosing organic for those items.

30
Farmers Markets

• Find out about your local farmers market and get
  involved!
• Speak with your money, buy only locally grown,
  organic produce

31
Composting
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What is Composting?

• Compost is the end product of a complex feeding
  pattern involving hundreds of different
  organisms, including bacteria, fungi, worms, and
  insects
• What remains after these organisms break down
  organic materials is the rich, earthy substance
  your garden will love
• Composting replicates nature's natural system of
  breaking down materials on the forest floor
• Considered "the organic garbage disposal,"
  composting recycles food waste into rich, dark,
  earth-smelling soil conditioner

33
Benefits of Composting

• A convenient way to dispose of organic waste
• It saves space in the county landfill, which is
  good for the environment
• Homegrown compost is a great way to feed and
  nurture plants
• Composting does not smell, and it will reduce the
  smell of the rotting food in your garbage can
  each week

34
Types of Composting

• Vermiculture composting with worms in a
  container
• Composting bin in the garden or under the kitchen
  sink
• Compost pile
• Trench composting in a garden
• Compost can be shoveled directly from trenches
  into garden
• Compost pockets throughout yard
• Plant directly over pocket after one month

35
Composting Tips for Happy Worms

• You need about 2,000 red wiggler worms for every
  pound per day of food waste
• You'll want a container with a depth of between 8
  and 12 inches
• The bin should be located in areas where the
  temperatures are between 40 to 80F
• Worms do not like a lot of noise or vibrations,
  keep them away from high traffic areas.
• Worms want an environment that is about 75
  percent water, never let your compost get too wet
  or too dry
• It's best to feed worms once a week in small
  amounts. If you feed them more than they can
  process you will end up with a stinking compost
  bin as the garbage literally backs up

36
Composting Dos

• The pile needs a proper ratio of carbon-rich
  materials, or "browns," and nitrogen-rich
  materials, or "greens." Among the brown materials
  are dried leaves, straw, and wood chips. Nitrogen
  materials are fresh or green, such as grass
  clippings and kitchen scraps.

37
Composting Donts

• Don't Use
• Meat
• Bones
• Cheese
• Pet droppings
• Milk
• Fats
• Oils
• Diseased plants
• Rubber bands
• Sponges

• Don't use garden soil or mix fresh cow, horse or
  chicken manure into the bedding. These emit gases
  and will raise the temperature of your compost
  bin. You could end up "cooking" your worms to
  death
• Do not dispose of glass, plastic or aluminum foil
  in your compost
• Although paper can be used as bedding, don't
  include paper with colored printing on it. Many
  colored inks are toxic to worms

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Uses for Compost

• You can use compost as a mulch protecting the
  soil and shading out weed seeds. Nutrients are
  washed out into the soil with each rain to feed
  the roots of plants
• Compost is great for mixing into the soil, it
  helps a sandy soil hold moisture and nutrients
  better and improves clay soils too
• Compost mixed with some sand makes a super
  potting soil for growing plants in containers.

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Square Foot Gardening

• Grow your own food

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What is square foot gardening?

• A simple and versatile gardening system that
  adapts to all levels of experience, physical
  ability, and geographical location.
• A great earth friendly way to do your part in
  helping to protect the environment
• An easy way to grow your own fruits and
  vegetables and teach your children the importance
  of eating organic

41
Location

• Pick an area that gets 6-8 hrs of sun daily
• Avoid trees and shrubs where roots and shade may
  interfere
• Keep close to the house for convenience and
  protection
• Beware of areas that puddle after heavy rains

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10 Basics of Square Foot Gardening

• 1. Layout Arrange your garden in squares, not
  rows
• 2. Boxes Build boxes to hold new soil mix above
  ground
• 3. Aisles Space boxes 3 ft apart to form walking
  aisles
• 4. Soil Fill boxes with 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat
  moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite
• 5. Grid Make a square foot grid for the top of
  each box

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10 Basics of Square Foot Gardening

• 6. Care Never walk on your growing soil, tend
  garden from the aisles
• 7. Select Plant a different flower, vegetable,
  or crop in each square foot
• 8. Plant Conserve seeds. Plant only a pinch (2
  or 3 seeds) per hole
• 9. Water Water by hand from a bucket of sun
  warmed water
• 10. Harvest When you finish harvesting a square
  foot, add compost and replant with a new and
  different crop

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Why garden this way?

• For home gardening raised bed agriculture means
  less work, less irrigation, improved soil, higher
  yields and no poisons.
• It creates a healthy soil to grow healthy plants
  to provide healthy food to feed healthy people.
• People suffer due to very poor diets. Growing
  our own food provides better nutrition

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Some resources

• www.journeytoforever.org
• www.minifarms.com
• www.squarefootgardening.com
• www.timssquarefootgarden.com
• www.thegardenhelper.com

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Be a part of the solution!