"God" Made a 'Factory Farmer'

[Coyotl]

It's stuff like this that makes me jump from Facebook over to DU:

"God" Made a 'Factory Farmer'

[Warpy]

1. How true.

I think people wish they could farm but they know they can't compete with mechanization and factory farmed animals.

Farming can be a steep learning curve followed by a grueling lifestyle, but it's still done mostly in sunshine and fresh air and there is a hell of a lot to be said for that.

I admire people who coax our food out of the earth, always have. I just wish they weren't such suckers for conservative BS.

[Coyotl]

2. Producing some food can easily be integrated into urban life, with community gardens if needed

and plenty of people have lots for gardens and fruit trees. Your own assuredly organic potato crop is a valuable asset from a health perspective. Vine fresh tomatoes are incredible, berries too, much healthier.

[Warpy]

3. Have you ever had backyard broccoli?

It doesn't have those massive tight heads that supermarket broccoli does but it also doesn't have any bitterness, at all.

It always came in just as the peas were finished and I had a hard time trying to decide which was better.

Unfortunately, the southwest is in a massive drought and has been for nearly 20 years now. If the drought ever breaks, I'll put in a garden with drip irrigation and heavy mulching. Until then, the water cost would break me.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. Scientists Grow Plants without Sunlight or Water

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=scientists-grow-plants-wi

http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Dry_Farming.aspx


Love, Peace and Shelter. lmsp

[Warpy]

7. Alas, I also lack access to a genetics lab

I do remember the code to get into the MIT lab, but it's 2000 miles away and doing me no good, at all.

So I'll just sit tight and hope the drought ends and we get some wet years before I get so decrepit a nursing home is my only option.

[littlemissmartypants]

8. Sorry I didn't take the time to find something more recent.

We can only hope the science of farming has improved since that research was done over ten years ago. I did read recently that so called apartment gardens are gaining traction. It is also interesting to note that growing the full plant to fruit is not necessary to enjoy the many needed micronutrients. There is some indication we can get the same benefits from the plant sprouts alone. That however does not address the issue of sustained farming with saved seed and would mean purchasing new seed supplies frequently.

I gladly volunteer to roll you outside into the sunshine should worst case arrive for you.

Love, Peace and Shelter. lmsp

[jjewell]

4. "... So God made this commercial..."

[Coyotl]

6. Yes, she did! You have my faith to take to the bank on that.