Farm Subsidies

If our nations farmers and rancher, who supply us with food aren't making any money it seems to me that I wouldn't want to continue my production either. If Subsidies benefit both the consumer and the farmer then they need to be in place. It's when the tax payers are paying farmers that are not struggling that causes problems. If there was a more balanced or regulated way for these subsidies it would be ideal. I was just working up north and I was able to speak with a few ranchers and farmers who receive money not to plant or raise livestock on their land. I also saw where others were receiving grants and using them to produce large amounts of products. Some farmers used part of the money to pay for the pumping of the water for their irrigation. They were able to pump so much they dried up creeks that had flown an additional twelve miles down stream. So far the government has not put any strict regulations on them. The farmers in the past had pumped reserved water back into the streams and creeks during the time the salmon run was in effect. The past few years this is not the case. When farmers are struggling to pay the bills and make a profit I believe farm subsidies are necessary. I think it is foolish to pay farmers and rancher not to work and produce on their land to keep supply and demand working. I think it would be better for America to produce as much as we can for our own nation instead of importing products that we can produce ourselves.

The Diversity of Food

There are many different plants that humans can consume other than the three main crops. We use oats, barley soybeans, and flaxseed in our foods but not as a major part of our meals. We can also eat wild plants for instance cattails are an edible plant. When selecting young cattails you need to watch out for their look-alike the Irish shoots. Humans could also eat the plant watercress which we already use as an ingredient in V8 cocktail juice. It can be found throughout the United States. Water cress is high in vitamins C and A. Kelp is also a plant that humans may not eat regularly. It also is edible and the salt it contains prevents muscle cramps.
A few people produce food for big numbers of people. If those few people only have the skills, technology and infrastructure to produce three main crops then we are at risk should something go wrong with those people or those few crops. We run a risk of infestation of a pest causing a mass destruction to our crops or to our storage.When planting only a few crops over and over it depletes the soil. You will often see farmers plant legumes after they harvest their main crop to regain the nitrogen.
A positive aspect on society of the result of our main crops we rely on being annuals is that we can be sure to plant and store accordingly. If we need more of one crop we have the chance to plant more of the crop we lack of in our storage. As long as we can preserve our storage of these crops we can survive. The down side to that is we have all our "eggs in one basket". If we drop the basket then we destroy our crops.

Worst Mistake

This essay created a more in depth picture of agriculture for me to think about. I think the author has some great points. The way he presents his view makes me think more about agriculture. Jared Diamond explains his reasoning similar to a waterfall. Each event that takes place has an effect on something else. The effect was that hunter-gathers had to move so often to find food they would have less children. This would make it less work to feed a smaller amount of people. The variety of foods they ate were very healthy for them. As the hunter-gathers adapted to farming they traveled less and were able to feed more children. This concentration of people made disease spread more easily. This is an important point. What Jared Diamond fails to mention is that disease gave more reason for research of different aspects of agriculture to cure or fend off sickness. Now humans have a greater life span than before. Having to support large amounts of people took great organization. This also opened situations that needed a solution. Agriculture has many bi products to offer. As the population enlarges it covers more land making less space for agriculture. The affects of nature help to balance out population and agriculture needs. Natural disasters, war, climate changes, and drought are a few examples that help the balance.
I think agriculture was not a mistake and was a great progression. I Being able to select and grow mass amounts of food is wonderful. With technology today we can transport foods across the world and distribute foods to many countries. The variety of foods we need in our diets are available to us. Sometimes we make the choice not to use our great sources.

Nutritional Extremes

I work in the construction industry. I grab a bite to eat at a fast food establishments often. I have not always chosen to eat healthy. When I see an over weight person order a fast food meal with a diet soda I shake my head in dismay. How can we, who have so much abundance make such unhealthy choices? We in America live a fast paced lifestyle and for many, our "instant" eating habits result in obesity for adults and children alike. Parents looking for a break in the stress of their lives, flip on the television to occupy their children, adding to the obesity problem.
We take for granted our abundant food choices and sources. I work with people who came from Mexico. I sometimes have an invitation to eat with them. Their diet is simple; beans, rice, corn tortillas, chillies and meat when affordable. They are manual labors but still over weight. Their cultural background has a great influence on their diet. They have lived here for over five years now. What influence is our culture having on them?
Restaurants offer all you can eat or extra large portions. When we are so stuffed we can't finish what we're ordered we make an attempt to "save" it by boxing it up and taking it home. Sometimes it rots in the car because we forget about it or it is no longer appealing to us. We don't think twice when we toss the left overs. Our food supply is endless.
When I think of those people in food poor countries and even those in my own country that can't afford enough food it makes me think more about my choices.