Holly Tempini The Intervale- PAEP Reflection

Holly Tempini

Dr. Williams

Ethics and the Environment

12/1/13

PAEP Individual Reflection

I have learned so much about the environment and sustainability in local Vermont farms after doing the PAEP project. After a lot of brainstorming and research my group decided to visit The Intervale. Since 1988 the interval has been dedicated to improving farm viability, promoting sustainable land use and most importantly engaging the Burlington, Vermont community in the food system. Their main mission is to strengthen community food systems, and after visiting I can say they are doing a wonderful job!

Sustainable agriculture has been around for a long time even though it was not always called by this name. Before farmers made the transition to totalitarian agriculture, farmers would plant small plots of land in ways which were relatively friendly to the environment.  Today we use conventional agriculture because it has led to lower food prices for consumers resulting in an abundance of inexpensive food.  “For decades, issues such as soil erosion, exploitive working conditions, pest resistance to pesticides, and small farm viability were brushed aside as the price of progress in the industrialized agrifood system”. (Brown) Today sustainable agriculture is still around but is not used nearly as much as conventional agriculture because of the higher cost and amount of work it takes.

Farming by conventional means requires the use of large farm machinery and chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, which can be bad for the environment. Sustainable agriculture on the other hand does not need these large pieces of equipment and technologies because they don’t like to harm the environment. “ Science and technology have also played a major role in bringing about some of the worst environmental problems that we face” (Desjardins, 9) Those who practice sustainable agriculture will raise plants in greenhouses during the winter season and then open up the greenhouse when it gets warm enough for the plants to grow. Sustainable agriculture also uses other methods to raise crops in ways, which prevents depleting the ground of essential nutrients. They will use something know as crop rotation in order prevent this from happening.

“To make ethical judgments, give advise, and offer evaluations of what ought to or should be is to engage in normative ethics” (Desjardins, 25) Most farmers are aware of this concept when deciding what type of policies they have in mind for their farm. People who practice sustainable agriculture usually try to break away from conventional agriculture for ethical reasons such as doing their part in reducing pollution and farming waste. Compared to the current convention of totalitarian agriculture, sustainable agriculture lessens farming pollution, in particularly with regard to fertilizers being released. The release of fertilizers can be very detrimental to the environment by polluting water supplies and can have a devastating effect on the habitats of animals.  Fortunately in most cases of sustainable agriculture, no pesticides or fertilizers are used. More human labor is required to grow fewer plants, because of the fact that sustainable agriculture does not use the techniques designed for the purpose of reducing farming expenses and maintaining a large output of produce.

Agriculture policy, at least in the United States has a very large focus on totalitarian agriculture.  Once farmers meet certain regulations and guidelines, they really are free to do whatever they desire with their farmland. The American farmer has a mission to produce enough food to feed the world. In order to fulfill this mission they must always farm their land at its capacity. Conventional farmers can farm next to rivers, water supplies and animal habitats without any fear of repercussions from releasing and spreading pollution.

“There are a number of agricultural farming practices that are controversial. These may include using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, and planting genetically modified crops, as well as the decision to dehorn cattle rather than raise polled cattle breeds”. (Cardoso) Farms like The Intervale made some great ethical decisions when they decided the vision for their farm. They ensure community engagement in the food system, promote sustainable use of agricultural lands and use greenhouses and their new farm incubation which are good for the environment.

Overall I have to say I learned so much after doing the PAEP project. Initially I was a bit overwhelmed while we struggled to find the farm that all of us liked and that would contact us back. Some farms were too far away or too busy at that time, so The Intervale really seemed to fit what we were looking for. Once we actually visited the farm I realized how much this little farm was actually doing for the community. They had many different greenhouses and crops scattered around this fairly decently sized piece of land. I really enjoyed taking pictures of all the plants however I was a bit disappointed that many crops were finished growing this late in the season. I think as a group we worked really well together and ended up splitting the work up pretty evenly and agreeing on what goes where on the poster.

Works Cited

·      Brown, Martha. "Sustainable Agriculture at UC Santa Cruz." The CENTER for AGROECOLOGY SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.

·      Cardoso, Sarika. "Ethical Frameworks and Farmer Participation in Controversial Farming Practices." N.p., 11 Dec. 2010. Web.

·      DesJardins, Joseph R. Environmental Ethics: An Introduction to Environmental Philosophy. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1993. Print.