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Sustainable
Living
The Problems of Agribusiness
The Solutions for Individuals
The Problem:
The Monsanto Company
 The Monsanto Company is a multinational
agricultural biotechnology corporation
 World leaders in the production of the
herbicide glyphosate, commonly known as
Roundup
 The leading producer of genetically
engineered (GE) seeds with a market share
of 70-100%
 Annual revenue of $7.3 billion in 2006
The Problem
Monsanto has taken out more seed
patents than any other company EVER,
removing the threat of competition
Farmers that use
Monsanto seeds
must use Monsanto’s
herbicide because it
has been chemically
engineered to
recognize the GE
plants only
Patent Infringement
 Monsanto has begun highly aggressive pursuit
of family owned farms found guilty of patent
infringement through use and sale of seeds
containing GE DNA without initial purchase of
the seeds and the technology.
However, this DNA can literally invade
a farmer’s field through wind
pollination, therefore a farmer may end
up with them as well as a law suit.
GE Bans
 GE crops have been banned in the
European Union, Japan and a number of
other countries and regions with which
the United States has historically traded
 Therefore any GE crops domestic
farmers produce cannot be sold to these
places, reducing the United State’s gross
national product
Why Would the US
Agree to This?
 Former Monsanto employees currently
hold positions in US government
agencies and offices including the FDA,
the EPA and the Supreme Court
 Donald Rumsfeld is a major stock owner
and made $12 million on a 1985 merger
with Monsanto
 Attorney General John Ashcroft was the
top recipient of Monsanto contributions
during his reelection campaign for US
Senate
GE Crops are Not
Identified
 Currently there is no system
requiring identification of GE
foods in grocery stores
 GE plants are being fed to
livestock on massive scales
 The food you and your children
eat could be genetically
modified, and you will never
know
Pesticides
and
Herbicides
Pesticides in a
nutshell
 A pesticide is a substance or mixture
of substances used for preventing,
controlling, or lessening the damage
caused by a pest.
 This may be a chemical substance, a
biological agent, antimicrobial or a
disinfectant
Environmental
Concerns Associated
with Pesticide Use
 Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of
herbicides reach a destination other than their
target species including non-target species, air,
water, bottom sediments and food.
 Some pesticides contribute to global warming
and the depletion of the ozone layer
 In the US, pesticides were found to pollute
every stream and over 90% of wells
 Pesticides hinder nitrogen fixation which is a
major contributor to loss of soil fertility
Chart Compiled by the Pesticide
Data Program of the US
Department of Agriculture
Fresh Fruit
&
Vegetables
Number of
Samples
Analyzed
Samples with
Residues
Detected
Percent
Of
Sample
With
Detections
Different
Pesticide
Detected
Different
Residue
Detected
Total
Residue
Detection
Apples
774
727
98
33
41
2,619
Lettuce
743
657
88
47
57
1,985
Pears
741
643
87
31
35
1,309
Orange
Juice
186
93
50
3
3
94
The Effect of
Pesticides
and
Herbicides
on Wildlife
The Effect of
Pesticides on Wildlife
 Greater in fish-eating birds such as gulls
or bald eagles, the use of DDT caused
egg shell thinning in many birds of prey
 Exposure to a highly toxic insecticide can
cause sickness or death to wildlife
 Once sick, wildlife may neglect their
young, abandon their nests, and become
more susceptible to predation and
disease
Indirect Effects of
Pesticides
 When herbicides or insecticides
are sprayed on field borders and
other non-crop habitats, wildlife
lose valuable escape cover and
food
 Wildlife are exposed to
insecticides when they eat
chemical residues on plants or
in insects
Effects of Pesticides
 Wildlife that are in fields or enter fields
soon after an insecticide has been
sprayed are exposed when they inhale
vapor or when insecticides contact their
skin or eyes.
 Granular formulations of insecticides are
a real hazard to birds. Birds eat granules
exposed on the soil surface, mistaking
them for food or grit.
Health Effects
of Pesticides
on
Farmers, Workers
and Consumers
Farmers & Workers
 According to the World
Health Organization (WHO),
3 million workers in
agriculture in the developing
world experience severe
poisoning from pesticides,
about 18,000 of whom die
 According to one study, as
many as 25 million workers
in developing countries may
suffer mild pesticides
poisoning yearly
Health Effects of
Pesticides on
Farmers and Workers
SHORT TERM
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Abdominal Pain
Dizziness
Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Skin and eye problems
LONG TERM
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Respiratory Problems
Memory Disorders
Dermatologic Conditions
Cancer
Depression
Neurological deficits
Miscarriages
Birth Defects
Health Effects of
Pesticides on
Consumers
 There are concerns that pesticides used to
control pests on food crops are dangerous
to people who consume those foods
 Many food crops, including fruits and
vegetables, contain pesticide residues after
being washed or peeled
Health Effects of
Pesticides on
Consumers
How it works…..
 In the United States, levels of residues that
remain on foods are limited to tolerance levels
that are established by the US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and are considered
safe
 The EPA sets tolerances based on the toxicity
of the pesticide and its breakdown products,
the amount and frequency of the pesticide
application, and how much of the pesticide
remains in or on food by the time it is marketed
and prepared
How it works…..
continued
 Tolerance levels are obtained using the scientific risk
assessments that pesticide manufacturers are required
to produce by conducting toxicological studies,
exposure modeling and residue studies before are
particular pesticide can be registered
 HOWEVER, the effects are tested for single pesticides,
and there is little information on possible synergistic
effects of exposure to multiple pesticide traces in the
air, food and water
Health Effects of
Pesticides
on Consumers
 In the US, the National Academy of Sciences
estimates that between 4,000 and 20,000 cases of
cancer are caused per year by pesticide residues
in food in allowable amounts
 Petroleum based chemicals are being found to
cause significant attritional effects to the nervous
system and immune system after prolonged
exposure. Some of the illnesses include adult and
child cancers, numerous neurological disorders,
immune system weakening, autoimmune
weakening, autoimmune disorders, asthma,
allergies, infertility, miscarriage, and child and
adult learning disabilities, mental retardation,
hyperactivity, and attention deficit disorders
Health Effects of
Pesticides
on Our Children
 According to the Natural Resource Defense
Council, children have been found especially
susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides. A
number of research studies have found higher
incidences of brain cancer, leukemia, and birth
defects in children with early exposure to
pesticides
 Scientists also think that the exposure to
pesticides in the uterus may have negative
effects on a fetus that may manifest as problems
such as growth and behavioral disorders or
reduced resistance to pesticide toxicity later in life
Solutions
Organic Foods
Composting
Square Foot
Gardening
Organic Foods
Organic is when organic produce
and other ingredients are grown
without the use of pesticides,
synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge,
genetically modified organisms, or
ionizing radiation
Why Organic?
 It’s better for the environment –
No pesticides means healthier soil,
water, and wildlife.
 Buying organic supports small farmers –
Organic farmers can earn a fairer price
for organic produce compared to factory
farming
 Organic farming is good for biodiversity
 Organic Farmers are growing a wide
variety of non-genetically modified (nonGMO) fruits and vegetables, resurrecting
many heirloom varieties
 It’s healthier for you and your family
Food to Buy Organic
 Peaches- listed as the worst
with the highest levels of pesticides of
all conventional produce
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Strawberries
Raspberries
Apples
Grapes (& therefore Raisins and
Juice! - many kinds of juices have
Grape Juice in them)
 Nectarines
 Apricots
 Pears
 Cherries
 Lemons- especially if zesting,
should definitely use organic
 Limes
 Bananas - heavy chemicals
for the trip to America including
Thiabendazole which Damages
the Brain and Nervous System.
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Kiwis
Pineapple
Cantaloupe from Mexico
Tomatoes
More Foods to Buy
Organic
 Potatoes
 Corn & Corn Syrup- most corn is now genetically
modified!
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Celery
Cucumbers
Spinach
Lettuce
Green & Red Bell Peppers
Lettuce
Hot Peppers
Green Beans - Acephate, Benomyl, Chlorothalonil,
Methamidophos - Damages Brain and Nervous System, Cause
Birth Defects
 Winter or Hard Squash
 Carrots
More Foods to Buy
Organic
 Rice & Oats - loaded with pesticides!
 Milk- antibiotics and hormones are forced into America's
conventional dairy cow to increase profits
 Baby Food
 Wild Salmon
 Foods that are GE like Corn - there are more
pesticides on genetically engineered foods so avoid GMO Foods
 Nuts - because of the high fat content, they hold on to pesticides
more than others
 Anything you or your kids eat a lot of -
since
pesticides accumulate, if you eat a lot of something that may not be
listed here, lets say your kids eat peanut butter every day, then you
should certainly avoid an excess of toxins by choosing organic for those
items.
Farmers Markets
 Find out about your local
farmer’s market and get
involved!
 Speak with your money,
buy only locally grown,
organic produce
Composting
What is
Composting?
 Compost is the end product of a complex feeding
pattern involving hundreds of different organisms,
including bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects
 What remains after these organisms break down
organic materials is the rich, earthy substance
your garden will love
 Composting replicates nature's natural system of
breaking down materials on the forest floor
 Considered "the organic garbage disposal,"
composting recycles food waste into rich, dark,
earth-smelling soil conditioner
Benefits of
Composting
 A convenient way to dispose of organic waste
 It saves space in the county landfill, which is
good for the environment
 Homegrown compost is a great way to feed
and nurture plants
 Composting does not smell, and it will reduce
the smell of the rotting food in your garbage
can each week
Types of
Composting
 Vermiculture – composting with
worms in a container
 Composting bin in the garden or under
the kitchen sink
 Compost pile
 Trench composting in a garden
 Compost can be shoveled directly from
trenches into garden
 Compost pockets throughout yard
 Plant directly over pocket after one
month
Composting –
Tips for Happy Worms
 You need about 2,000 red wiggler worms for
every pound per day of food waste
 You'll want a container with a depth of between 8
and 12 inches
 The bin should be located in areas where the
temperatures are between 40 to 80°F
 Worms do not like a lot of noise or vibrations,
keep them away from high traffic areas.
 Worms want an environment that is about 75
percent water, never let your compost get too wet
or too dry
 It's best to feed worms once a week in small
amounts. If you feed them more than they can
process you will end up with a stinking compost
bin as the garbage literally backs up
Composting Do’s
 The pile needs a proper
ratio of carbon-rich
materials, or "browns," and
nitrogen-rich materials, or
"greens." Among the
brown materials are dried
leaves, straw, and wood
chips. Nitrogen materials
are fresh or green, such as
grass clippings and
kitchen scraps.
Composting Don’ts
Don't Use:
 Meat
 Bones
 Cheese
 Pet droppings
 Milk
 Fats
 Oils
 Diseased plants
 Rubber bands
 Sponges
 Don't use garden soil or mix fresh
cow, horse or chicken manure into
the bedding. These emit gases and
will raise the temperature of your
compost bin. You could end up
"cooking" your worms to death
 Do not dispose of glass, plastic or
aluminum foil in your compost
 Although paper can be used as
bedding, don't include paper with
colored printing on it. Many colored
inks are toxic to worms
Uses for Compost
 You can use compost as a mulch
protecting the soil and shading out weed
seeds. Nutrients are washed out into the
soil with each rain to feed the roots of
plants
 Compost is great for mixing into the soil,
it helps a sandy soil hold moisture and
nutrients better and improves clay soils
too
 Compost mixed with some sand makes a
super potting soil for growing plants in
containers.
Square Foot
Gardening
Grow your own
food
What is square foot
gardening?
 A simple and versatile gardening system that
adapts to all levels of experience, physical
ability, and geographical location.
 A great earth friendly way to do your part in
helping to protect the environment
 An easy way to grow your own fruits and
vegetables and teach your children the
importance of eating organic
Location
 Pick an area that gets 6-8 hrs of sun daily
 Avoid trees and shrubs where roots and
shade may interfere
 Keep close to the house for convenience
and protection
 Beware of areas that puddle after heavy
rains
10 Basics of Square
Foot Gardening
1. Layout: Arrange your garden in squares,
not rows
2. Boxes: Build boxes to hold new soil mix
above ground
3. Aisles: Space boxes 3 ft apart to form
walking aisles
4. Soil: Fill boxes with 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat
moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite
5. Grid: Make a square foot grid for the top
of each box
10 Basics of Square
Foot Gardening
6. Care: Never walk on your growing soil,
tend garden from the aisles
7. Select: Plant a different flower, vegetable,
or crop in each square foot
8. Plant: Conserve seeds. Plant only a pinch
(2 or 3 seeds) per hole
9. Water: Water by hand from a bucket of sun
warmed water
10. Harvest: When you finish harvesting a
square foot, add compost and replant with
a new and different crop
Why garden this
way?
 For home gardening raised bed
agriculture means less work, less
irrigation, improved soil, higher
yields and no poisons.
 It creates a healthy soil to grow
healthy plants to provide healthy
food to feed healthy people.
 People suffer due to very poor
diets. Growing our own food
provides better nutrition
Some resources
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www.journeytoforever.org
www.minifarms.com
www.squarefootgardening.com
www.timssquarefootgarden.com
www.thegardenhelper.com