The Organic Trade Association’s recommendations on allowable materials for use by organic farmers.
Review the Organic Trade Association’s recommendations on allowable materials for use by organic farmers, organic livestock producers, and organic processors. See this week’s Learning Resources for the link.
Consider the impact that chemical fertilizers, often used in produce production, have on human health as well as on the environment.
Reflect on the potential impact of growth hormones or antibiotics used on animals that are a food source for you.
By Day 7
The Assignment:
Select one protein item and one produce item from the following table:
Protein:
Chicken
Beef
Lamb
Duck
Eggs
Pork
Fish/Seafood
Produce:
Tomato
Corn
Lettuce
Spinach
Peas
Carrots
Cabbage
Sprouts
Beans
Broccoli
Strawberries
Bananas
Mango
Cherries
Oranges
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Pineapple
Apples
Plums
Using sources on the Internet, research the different methods of commercial and natural/organic production for the protein and produce items you selected. Identify the chemicals, processes, and natural resources used to produce these foods and bring them to the market.
Compose a 2-page essay in which you do the following:
Summarize your findings for the commercial and natural/organic production of the protein and produce item you chose to research.
Based on your findings, compare the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with the use of natural methods of production. Analyze the impact each of these methods may have on human nutrition, human health, and the environment.
Conclude with a reflection on what changes you might reasonably make when buying food at the store after this research. If you decide not to change anything, what are the driving factors that influenced your decision?
