Life at Cloud 9 Ranch

As we continue to look at the three forms of farming, this week we are taking a peek at conventional farming. This is the form that is used most by your industrial farmers. Those operations that are large-scale, and supplying other large scale operations (Corporate America). From corn raised to be used in Ethanol, feed lots, along with other veggies that are canned and/or frozen that we find in our grocery stores. To meats that are fed in ways to increase growth and have a shorter “lifespan”. Industrial Farming is destroying our lands, our health, and our environment.

Chemical Use:

Industrial Farming relies heavily on pesticides, herbicides and other chemical enhancement products. These poisons are then passed on to us, the consumer, through the veggies and plants. Our system absorbs these toxins, decreasing our immune system by creating an immunity to antibiotics, and building the toxins within our systems over time.  Leading to cancer, damage of the nervous system, reproductive system and can even disrupt the reproductive system.  These chemicals are also washed into the waterways, causing further damage, both with the water and as the chemicals travel downstream.

Livestock:

Livestock is kept in confined areas, where they are fed hormones and antibiotics to increase growth periods. This feed is usually a crop that that has been either genetically modified or is heavy with chemicals. When livestock live in such close quarters, they have no room to move around, exercise, graze, or lay down on clean ground. These animals are more susceptible to deceases, which is why the farmers inject them with antibiotics, which are then passed on to use. Hormones to increase growing time, and the over-population in confined areas is good for neither the ground or the animal. And, as bad as I hate to say it, these animals are not treated humanly, in the simple fact that they are over-crowded and are not allowed to live a healthy lifestyle. (Funny how that term even boils down to the foods we eat).

Conservation:

Industrial farmers are paid to raise the same crops year after year. They make good money (when the seasons are good) by supplying large amounts of “cash crops” or commodities to industries. Corn, Soy beans, Wheat, Rye, and other such crops are usually grown without any kind of rotation plan, depleting the earth of it’s natural resources. This means the farmer has to either chemically induce these resources, or continue to make the land barren. Most of the farms continue to use tilling the fields, which also depletes the soil by washing it away in the rains.

Water is polluted by chemicals that are sprayed on the crops, and the Industrial farmer has no plans for using “natural resources” when it comes to preserving our environment. They don’t have a system that can utilize rain water, or save energy. While I will say that some of the industrial farmers are starting to get on board with the natural resources, it will be decades before the industry changes enough to start restoring our natural resources.

Transportation and Economical Impact:

While all food has to get transported, the Industrial farmer is one of the largest industries to use ground transportation, it also the leading farming culture for factory work. This can have a two fold effect. The economical impact means jobs. But the pollutants that these jobs create can (and are) destroy the environment. And, I hate to say this, but Industrial farming is still the leading industry for hiring illegal immigrants. So, who’s economy is it really helping? Farming also the only industry that has no age limit when it comes to hiring. Kids of any age can work on a farm (child labor at it’s worse in the US). Just the other night, I was watching a news program,and there was a 12 year old out in the field working, with the rest of his family, 12 hours a day. Granted, working kids grow up to be working adults, but when does a kid get to be a kid? (sorry, personal rant going on here).

For us, Industrial farming has never been, and never will be considered. We value our land, our animals and our neighbors too much. Besides, I like being able to devote my days to working different parts of the little farm we have going here. And we enjoy being able to take a day to go ride the mountains or spend an evening with the family. I can control what my crops and better plan for their needs when I can visually check every plant, every animal on a daily basis!

*This is part two in a three part series. Read Part one: Sustainable Farming and keep an eye out for part three: Organic Farming.