In Big, Smart, and Green: A Revolutionary Vision for Modern Farmer, Keim explored the how Marsden Farm has revolutionized farming by combining the best aspects of two practices – organic and industrial farming – while addressing sustainability and food supply issues. This combination is called an alternative version of farming, which was described as “smart, green and powerful” (Keim). The goal of this alternative version of farming is to adopt practices in industrial farming to meet the target yield while eliminating the use of chemicals and avoiding the consequences of industrial farming on soil quality and yield. The alternative was a result of years of research. By comparing the yield and consequences of crop rotation while using chemicals, planting red clover in between crop rows, and adding alfalfa in crop rotation, proved that adopting different ways of farming through integrated management not only reduce the amount of chemicals used in plants but also prevent the growth of weeds, improve the absorption of atmospheric nitrogen, and facilitate the growth of pest-eating insects in the field. Throughout the farming season, farmers also use herbicides but in limited amount to reduce the proliferation of pests and diseases that kill plant life. Overall, the strategies employed by farmers at Marsden Farm illustrate a new way of approaching farming that not only aims to reduce the damage to crops and degradation of soil quality but also the number of yield that meets expected targets and provides for the needs and demands of consumers.
Keim’s article illustrates a new way to view and approach farming. Organic farming is good for the environment and reduces health risks for consumers but does not contribute to meeting the target yield. On the other hand, industrial farming allows farms to produce target yield but in so doing, also fall into practices that put people and the environment at risk. The alternative farming practices at Marsden farm addresses the problem by combining both organic and industrial farming in an integrated approach. Farmers use chemicals, particularly herbicides, but in low amounts to avoid the excessive use of chemicals and also implement natural ways to reduce pest and maintain the quality of soil. This approach is an innovative way of addressing specific problems in farming by combining the advantages and benefits of two different methods, while limiting their disadvantages.
Considering the points raised in the article, I agree that looking for a way to balance farming practices is essential in reducing environmental and health risks while also maintaining yield to meet demand. I also agree that innovation could be one of the most important elements that enable human beings to create things and mechanisms that would bring about change in this world. I believe that the article creates an interesting debate or argument about the future of farming. It is important to note various issues that should be addressed, such as the impact of heavy chemical use on the environment, including the inability of organic farming to produce adequate yield to meet the targeted volume of food supply and at a regular rate.
Adopting and promoting alternative farming system are important because it combines function and practicality while taking into consideration sustainability issues. The methods used at Marsden Farm fall under sustainable crop production because while herbicides and some other chemicals are being used to ensure that crops grow, adopting crop rotation strategies and using natural means of dealing with pests are both sustainable practices. Sustainable crop production aims to decrease or entirely prohibit the use of chemicals in farming such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, encourage crop rotation instead of monocropping, which is prevalent in industrial farms, while also allowing farmers to work in a safe and healthy environment. The latter is perhaps one of the advantages of limiting chemical use while relying on herbicides and crops that reduce the proliferation of pests. Without harmful chemicals used during farming, farmers would be able to work in a safe environment. Farmers would be free from ingesting toxic chemicals. Aside from offering farmers a safe environment, the alternative farming system is also a sustainable means of producing considerable yield. Multicropping, which is one of the strategies adopted by Marsden Farms, leads to higher yields. Multicropping includes two processes – crop rotation and intercropping – both of which are adopted by Marsden Farms through scheduled crop rotation and the planting of red clover in between rows of crops. Research support the viability of such practices by proving that these lead to increase yields, reduces the vulnerability of crops to pest and diseases, and the growth of other species that are beneficial to farming (“Sustainable Crop Production”).
Kremen, Iles, and Bacon (44) also conducted research about diversified farming systems to determine the ones that would work in modern industrial agriculture while taking into consideration sustainability issues. Outcomes of the research show that industrial farming prevents farms from adopting diversified farming systems such as the alternative farming practiced at Marsden Farms. The danger of industrial farming not only affects the quality of yields, and the health of both farmers and consumers, but also the environment at a greater scale. In industrial farming, farms plant a single crop and use high volume of chemicals to increase yields. This practice produces high levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere, and combines with other gases to form greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are the causes of global warming, which consequently leads to climate change (Kremen, Iles & Bacon, 44).
Kremen, Iles and Bacon (44) also discussed other issues involved in industrial farming. Monocropping in industrial farms lead to deforestation, which disturbs the balance in ecosystems. Deforestation upsets ecological balance by driving species into extinction. Deforestation also affects the water cycle, which could lead to decreased precipitation, and ultimately drought. In the Amazon, rapid deforestation is causing droughts in different parts of the world. Industrial farming also has this effect on the environment (Kremen, Iles, & Bacon, 44). Due to these issues, Kremen, Iles, and Bacon (44) underscored the important role of diverse farming systems such as the alternative farming practice At Marsden Farm. According to Kremen, Iles and Bacon (44), the continued application of diverse and alternative systems allow farmers to create and look for other ways to adopt sustainable farming. Kremen, Iles, and Bacon (44) suggest that other farms should adopt diversified or alternative farming systems, which raises concerns and allows farms and experts in the field to look for other ways to approach farming in a way that addresses ecological concerns, food access and supply, the wellbeing of farmers and consumers, and sustainable concerns.
Horrigan, Lawrence, and Walker also discussed the disadvantages of industrial agriculture. Based on research about this topic, industrial farming leads to the extensive consumption of water, topsoil, and fossil fuel, which challenges sustainability. Horrigan, Lawrence, and Walker also discussed the issue within the perspective of industrial agriculture and meat production. Livestock farmers would use grains to feed animals, which create a disproportion in the supply of grains for human consumers. Various issues raised in the article also include the health risks associated with industrial farming due to intensive use of chemicals. For this reason, the researchers argued that finding alternative ways to farm and produce yield is highly important to maintain sustainability and to reduce the health risks associated with the use of chemicals and other synthetic compounds to raise crops.
Overall, various articles substantiate the alternative farming system practiced at Marsden Farm. I agree with the points raised in the article not only because the alternative farming system was backed up by continuous research at Marsden but also because other scholarly articles prove its benefits and advantages to food production, farms, and communities. Many articles criticize industrial farming because it leads to various issues that affect human populations and the environment. With the abundance of research studies that prove the detrimental impact of industrial farming, it is only rational to support diverse systems such as those introduced by Marsden Farm, which is proven to be more sustainable while taking into consideration food production and supply. This should lead to continuous research in the field of farming that aims to introduce and adopt diverse, alternative, and contemporary modes of farming that aims to provide adequate amount of yield while maintaining sustainability and ensuring the safety of farmers and consumers alike.
Works Cited
Horrigan, Leo, Lawrence, Robert S. & Walker, Polly. What’s wrong with industrial agriculture. 5 May 2002. Organic Consumers Association. 20 Apr 2015. <https://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/Organic/IndustrialAg502.php>.
Keim, Brandon. Big, smart and green: A revolutionary vision for modern farming. 19 Oct 2012. Wired. 21 Apr 2015. <http://www.wired.com/2012/10/big-smart-green-farming/>.
Kremen, Claire, Iles, Alastair, & Bacon, Christopher. Diversified farming systems: An agroecological, systems-based alternative to modern industrial agriculture. Ecology and Society, 17(4): 44.
“Sustainable Crop Production”. Grace Communications Foundation: Food Program. 21 Apr 2015. <http://www.sustainabletable.org/249/sustainable-crop-production>.
