|
|
What Teens Say...
Name: Jeremy Wingate
Essay Theme: Ag Science in the City |
State: Louisiana
School: John Curtis Christian School |
The Importance of Agriculture
for Urban Areas |
Urban agriculture is critical to the future of the planet. With
the seemingly endless migration of rural populations into urban
areas, especially in developing countries, the need for urban
agriculture to help these areas become more self-sufficient
is increasing. With more land being consumed by larger and larger
cities, using every available parcel for urban agriculture is
important to ensure the health of these cities.
There are many success stories springing up of urban agriculture,
such as around Paris, France, where a small amount of land (10%)
is responsible for a much greater amount (35%) of production
value, with the producers selling their goods at city markets
and to locals. In London, one bright spot is beekeeping, with
about 27,000 kilograms of honey being produced every year. Portugal
is seeing some of the best grapes for winemaking being produced
in suburbs of Lisbon. In St. Petersburg, Russia, backyards and
rooftops are being used by over half the population to grow
fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Another idea is being developed in The Netherlands, where city
dwellers are getting the opportunity to help decide what is
to be grown by also making a commitment to buy some of what
is produced. In Israel, small city farms are helping bring people
together to work and grow food. These farms are also being used
as teaching tools, where thousands of school children can visit
to learn about everything from composting to reusing wastewater.
In Mali, the capital city of Bamako produces enough vegetables
to be self-sufficient.
All of these examples of urban agriculture are critical to the
future of the planet. Many people are already recognizing the
need for "sustainable development," where we can meet
the needs of today's population without risking the ability
of future generations to meet their needs. Organic farming is
on the rise, with many people willing to pay higher prices for
food produced in ways that don't harm the Earth the way big
commercial farms can. In fact, the U.S. government has just
approved a new labeling procedure that will certify products
as "100% Organic," "Organic" (95%), "Made
with Organic Ingredients" (70%), or "Some Organic
Ingredients" (less than 70%).
The benefits of urban agriculture cannot be overstated. It has
been shown that gardening can improve students' grades, attendance,
and morale while lowering crime rates. It can increase the income
for poor families while improving their nutritional well-being.
It will have a positive impact on the health of the planet.
With all the vacant land available in the United States and
elsewhere, it will be in everyone's best interest to encourage
urban agriculture in sustainable ways, increasing everyone's
quality of life and improving the condition of the Earth.
References:
| <http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/YI931M/yI931m03.htm#PO_O> |
| <http://www.homestead.org/urbanag.htm> |
This essay was part of a 2003 essay contest sponsored by
Council for Agricultural Science & Technology.
Click here to see how essays were
selected.
|
|
|