Sustainable Sustainable LivingLiving

The Problems of AgribusinessThe Problems of Agribusiness

The Solutions for IndividualsThe Solutions for Individuals

The Problem:The Problem:The Monsanto CompanyThe Monsanto Company

The Monsanto Company is a multinational The Monsanto Company is a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporationagricultural biotechnology corporation

World leaders in the production of the World leaders in the production of the herbicide glyphosate, commonly known as herbicide glyphosate, commonly known as RoundupRoundup

The leading producer of genetically The leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) seeds with a market share engineered (GE) seeds with a market share of 70-100%of 70-100%

Annual revenue of $7.3 billion in 2006Annual revenue of $7.3 billion in 2006

The ProblemThe Problem

Farmers that use Farmers that use Monsanto seeds Monsanto seeds must use Monsanto’s must use Monsanto’s herbicide because it herbicide because it has been chemically has been chemically engineered to engineered to recognize the GE recognize the GE plants onlyplants only

Monsanto has taken out more seed Monsanto has taken out more seed patents than any other company EVER, patents than any other company EVER, removing the threat of competition removing the threat of competition

Patent Patent InfringementInfringement

Monsanto has begun highly aggressive pursuit Monsanto has begun highly aggressive pursuit of family owned farms found guilty of patent of family owned farms found guilty of patent infringement through use and sale of seeds infringement through use and sale of seeds containing GE DNA without initial purchase of containing GE DNA without initial purchase of the seeds and the technology.the seeds and the technology.

However, this DNA can literally invade However, this DNA can literally invade a farmer’s field through wind a farmer’s field through wind pollination, therefore a farmer may end pollination, therefore a farmer may end up with them as well as a law suit.up with them as well as a law suit.

GE BansGE Bans GE crops have been banned in the GE crops have been banned in the

European Union, Japan and a number of European Union, Japan and a number of other countries and regions with which other countries and regions with which the United States has historically tradedthe United States has historically traded

Therefore any GE crops domestic Therefore any GE crops domestic farmers produce cannot be sold to these farmers produce cannot be sold to these places, reducing the United State’s gross places, reducing the United State’s gross national productnational product

Why Would the US Why Would the US Agree to This?Agree to This?

Former Monsanto employees currently Former Monsanto employees currently hold positions in US government hold positions in US government agencies and offices including the FDA, agencies and offices including the FDA, the EPA and the Supreme Courtthe EPA and the Supreme Court

Donald Rumsfeld is a major stock owner Donald Rumsfeld is a major stock owner and made $12 million on a 1985 merger and made $12 million on a 1985 merger with Monsantowith Monsanto

Attorney General John Ashcroft was the Attorney General John Ashcroft was the top recipient of Monsanto contributions top recipient of Monsanto contributions during his reelection campaign for US during his reelection campaign for US SenateSenate

GE Crops are Not GE Crops are Not IdentifiedIdentified

Currently there is no system Currently there is no system requiring identification of GE requiring identification of GE foods in grocery storesfoods in grocery stores

GE plants are being fed to GE plants are being fed to livestock on massive scaleslivestock on massive scales

The food you and your children The food you and your children eat could be genetically eat could be genetically modified, and you will never modified, and you will never knowknow

Pesticides Pesticides and and

HerbicidesHerbicides

Pesticides in a Pesticides in a nutshellnutshell

A pesticide is a substance or mixture A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances used for preventing, of substances used for preventing, controlling, or lessening the damage controlling, or lessening the damage caused by a pest.caused by a pest.

This may be a chemical substance, a This may be a chemical substance, a biological agent, antimicrobial or a biological agent, antimicrobial or a disinfectantdisinfectant

Environmental Environmental Concerns Associated Concerns Associated with Pesticide Usewith Pesticide Use

Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of Over 98% of sprayed insecticides and 95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their herbicides reach a destination other than their target species including non-target species, air, target species including non-target species, air, water, bottom sediments and food.water, bottom sediments and food.

Some pesticides contribute to global warming Some pesticides contribute to global warming and the depletion of the ozone layerand the depletion of the ozone layer

In the US, pesticides were found to pollute In the US, pesticides were found to pollute every stream and over 90% of wellsevery stream and over 90% of wells

Pesticides hinder nitrogen fixation which is a Pesticides hinder nitrogen fixation which is a major contributor to loss of soil fertilitymajor contributor to loss of soil fertility

Chart Compiled by the Pesticide Data Program of the US

Department of Agriculture

Fresh FruitFresh Fruit&&

VegetablesVegetables

Number ofNumber ofSamplesSamplesAnalyzedAnalyzed

Samples withSamples withResiduesResiduesDetectedDetected

PercentPercentOfOf

SampleSampleWithWith

DetectionsDetections

DifferentDifferentPesticidePesticideDetectedDetected

DifferentDifferentResidueResidueDetectedDetected

TotalTotalResidueResidue

DetectionDetection

ApplesApples 774774 727727 9898 3333 4141 2,6192,619

LettuceLettuce 743743 657657 8888 4747 5757 1,9851,985

PearsPears 741741 643643 8787 3131 3535 1,3091,309

Orange Orange JuiceJuice

186186 9393 5050 33 33 9494

on Wildlifeon Wildlife

The Effect of The Effect of Pesticides Pesticides

and and HerbicidesHerbicides

The Effect of The Effect of Pesticides on WildlifePesticides on Wildlife

Greater in fish-eating birds such as gulls Greater in fish-eating birds such as gulls or bald eagles, the use of DDT caused or bald eagles, the use of DDT caused egg shell thinning in many birds of preyegg shell thinning in many birds of prey

Exposure to a highly toxic insecticide can Exposure to a highly toxic insecticide can cause sickness or death to wildlifecause sickness or death to wildlife

Once sick, wildlife may neglect their Once sick, wildlife may neglect their young, abandon their nests, and become young, abandon their nests, and become more susceptible to predation and more susceptible to predation and diseasedisease

Indirect Effects of Indirect Effects of PesticidesPesticides

When herbicides or insecticides When herbicides or insecticides are sprayed on field borders and are sprayed on field borders and other non-crop habitats, wildlife other non-crop habitats, wildlife lose valuable escape cover and lose valuable escape cover and foodfood

Wildlife are exposed to Wildlife are exposed to insecticides when they eat insecticides when they eat chemical residues on plants or chemical residues on plants or in insectsin insects

Effects of Effects of PesticidesPesticides

Wildlife that are in fields or enter fields Wildlife that are in fields or enter fields soon after an insecticide has been soon after an insecticide has been sprayed are exposed when they inhale sprayed are exposed when they inhale vapor or when insecticides contact their vapor or when insecticides contact their skin or eyes.skin or eyes.

Granular formulations of insecticides are Granular formulations of insecticides are a real hazard to birds. Birds eat granules a real hazard to birds. Birds eat granules exposed on the soil surface, mistaking exposed on the soil surface, mistaking them for food or grit.them for food or grit.

Health Effects Health Effects of Pesticidesof Pesticides

onon

Farmers, Workers Farmers, Workers and Consumersand Consumers

Farmers & WorkersFarmers & Workers According to the World According to the World

Health Organization (WHO), Health Organization (WHO), 3 million3 million workers in workers in agriculture in the developing agriculture in the developing world world experience severe experience severe poisoningpoisoning from pesticides, from pesticides, about about 18,000 of whom die18,000 of whom die

According to one study, as According to one study, as many as 25 million workers many as 25 million workers in developing countries may in developing countries may suffer mild pesticides suffer mild pesticides poisoning yearlypoisoning yearly

Health Effects of Health Effects of Pesticides on Pesticides on Farmers and WorkersFarmers and Workers

SHORT TERMSHORT TERM

Abdominal PainAbdominal Pain DizzinessDizziness HeadachesHeadaches NauseaNausea VomitingVomiting Skin and eye problemsSkin and eye problems

LONG TERMLONG TERM

Respiratory ProblemsRespiratory Problems Memory DisordersMemory Disorders Dermatologic ConditionsDermatologic Conditions CancerCancer DepressionDepression Neurological deficitsNeurological deficits MiscarriagesMiscarriages Birth DefectsBirth Defects

Health Effects of Health Effects of Pesticides on Pesticides on ConsumersConsumers There are concerns that pesticides used to There are concerns that pesticides used to

control pests on food crops are dangerous control pests on food crops are dangerous to people who consume those foodsto people who consume those foods

Many food crops, including fruits and Many food crops, including fruits and vegetables, contain pesticide residues after vegetables, contain pesticide residues after being washed or peeledbeing washed or peeled

Health Effects of Health Effects of Pesticides on Pesticides on ConsumersConsumers

How it works…..How it works…..

In the United States, levels of residues that In the United States, levels of residues that remain on foods are limited to tolerance levels remain on foods are limited to tolerance levels that are established by the US Environmental that are established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are considered Protection Agency (EPA) and are considered safesafe

The EPA sets tolerances based on the toxicity The EPA sets tolerances based on the toxicity of the pesticide and its breakdown products, of the pesticide and its breakdown products, the amount and frequency of the pesticide the amount and frequency of the pesticide application, and how much of the pesticide application, and how much of the pesticide remains in or on food by the time it is marketed remains in or on food by the time it is marketed and preparedand prepared

How it works….. How it works….. continuedcontinued

Tolerance levels are obtained using the scientific risk Tolerance levels are obtained using the scientific risk assessments that pesticide manufacturers are required assessments that pesticide manufacturers are required to produce by conducting toxicological studies, to produce by conducting toxicological studies, exposure modeling and residue studies before are exposure modeling and residue studies before are particular pesticide can be registeredparticular pesticide can be registered

HOWEVER, the effects are tested for single pesticides, HOWEVER, the effects are tested for single pesticides, and there is little information on possible synergistic and there is little information on possible synergistic effects of exposure to multiple pesticide traces in the effects of exposure to multiple pesticide traces in the air, food and waterair, food and water

Health Effects of Health Effects of PesticidesPesticideson Consumerson Consumers

In the US, the National Academy of Sciences In the US, the National Academy of Sciences estimates that between 4,000 and 20,000 cases of estimates that between 4,000 and 20,000 cases of cancer are caused per year by pesticide residues cancer are caused per year by pesticide residues in food in allowable amountsin food in allowable amounts

Petroleum based chemicals are being found to Petroleum based chemicals are being found to cause significant attritional effects to the nervous cause significant attritional effects to the nervous system and immune system after prolonged system and immune system after prolonged exposure. Some of the illnesses include adult and exposure. Some of the illnesses include adult and child cancers, numerous neurological disorders, child cancers, numerous neurological disorders, immune system weakening, autoimmune immune system weakening, autoimmune weakening, autoimmune disorders, asthma, weakening, autoimmune disorders, asthma, allergies, infertility, miscarriage, and child and allergies, infertility, miscarriage, and child and adult learning disabilities, mental retardation, adult learning disabilities, mental retardation, hyperactivity, and attention deficit disordershyperactivity, and attention deficit disorders

Health Effects of Health Effects of PesticidesPesticideson Our Childrenon Our Children

According to the Natural Resource Defense According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, children have been found especially Council, children have been found especially susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides. A susceptible to the harmful effects of pesticides. A number of research studies have found higher number of research studies have found higher incidences of brain cancer, leukemia, and birth incidences of brain cancer, leukemia, and birth defects in children with early exposure to defects in children with early exposure to pesticidespesticides

Scientists also think that the exposure to Scientists also think that the exposure to pesticides in the uterus may have negative pesticides in the uterus may have negative effects on a fetus that may manifest as problems effects on a fetus that may manifest as problems such as growth and behavioral disorders or such as growth and behavioral disorders or reduced resistance to pesticide toxicity later in lifereduced resistance to pesticide toxicity later in life

SolutionsSolutions

Organic FoodsOrganic Foods

CompostingComposting

Square Foot Square Foot GardeningGardening

Organic FoodsOrganic Foods

Organic is when organic produce Organic is when organic produce and other ingredients are grown and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiationionizing radiation

Why Organic?Why Organic? It’s better for the environment – No It’s better for the environment – No

pesticides means healthier soil, water, and pesticides means healthier soil, water, and wildlife.wildlife.

Buying organic supports small farmers – Buying organic supports small farmers – Organic farmers can earn a fairer price for Organic farmers can earn a fairer price for organic produce compared to factory farmingorganic produce compared to factory farming

Organic farming is good for biodiversityOrganic farming is good for biodiversity Organic Farmers are growing a wide variety Organic Farmers are growing a wide variety

of non-genetically modified (non-GMO) fruits of non-genetically modified (non-GMO) fruits and vegetables, resurrecting many heirloom and vegetables, resurrecting many heirloom varietiesvarieties

It’s healthier for you and your familyIt’s healthier for you and your family

Food to Buy Food to Buy OrganicOrganic

PeachesPeaches-- listed as the worst listed as the worst with the highest levels of pesticides of with the highest levels of pesticides of all conventional produce all conventional produce

Strawberries Strawberries RaspberriesRaspberries ApplesApples GrapesGrapes (& therefore (& therefore Raisins Raisins and and

Juice! - Juice! - many kinds of juices have many kinds of juices have Grape Juice in them) Grape Juice in them)

NectarinesNectarines ApricotsApricots PearsPears

CherriesCherries LemonsLemons- - especially if zesting, especially if zesting,

should definitely use organicshould definitely use organic LimesLimes Bananas - Bananas - heavy chemicals heavy chemicals

for the trip to America including for the trip to America including Thiabendazole which Damages Thiabendazole which Damages the Brain and Nervous System.  the Brain and Nervous System. 

KiwisKiwis PineapplePineapple CantaloupeCantaloupe from Mexico from Mexico

Tomatoes Tomatoes   

More Foods to Buy More Foods to Buy OrganicOrganic

PotatoesPotatoes Corn & Corn Syrup-Corn & Corn Syrup- most corn is now genetically modified!  most corn is now genetically modified!  CeleryCelery CucumbersCucumbers SpinachSpinach LettuceLettuce Green & Red Bell PeppersGreen & Red Bell Peppers LettuceLettuce Hot PeppersHot Peppers Green Beans Green Beans - - Acephate, Benomyl, Chlorothalonil, Acephate, Benomyl, Chlorothalonil,

Methamidophos - Damages Brain and Nervous System, Cause Birth Methamidophos - Damages Brain and Nervous System, Cause Birth Defects Defects

Winter or Hard SquashWinter or Hard Squash CarrotsCarrots

More Foods to Buy More Foods to Buy OrganicOrganic

Rice & OatsRice & Oats - - loaded with pesticides! loaded with pesticides!

MilkMilk- - antibiotics and hormones are forced into America's antibiotics and hormones are forced into America's conventional dairy cow to increase profits conventional dairy cow to increase profits

Baby FoodBaby Food Wild SalmonWild Salmon Foods that are GE like Corn - Foods that are GE like Corn - there are more there are more

pesticides on genetically engineered foods so avoid pesticides on genetically engineered foods so avoid GMO FoodsGMO Foods Nuts Nuts - - because of the high fat content, they hold on to pesticides because of the high fat content, they hold on to pesticides

more than others more than others Anything you or your kids eat a lot of -  Anything you or your kids eat a lot of -  since since

pesticides accumulate, if you eat a lot of something that may not be 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 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 should certainly avoid an excess of toxins by choosing organic for those items. items.

Farmers MarketsFarmers Markets

Find out about your local Find out about your local farmer’s market and get farmer’s market and get involved!involved!

Speak with your money, Speak with your money, buy only locally grown, buy only locally grown, organic produceorganic produce

CompostingComposting

What is What is Composting?Composting?

Compost is the end product of a complex feeding Compost is the end product of a complex feeding pattern involving hundreds of different organisms, pattern involving hundreds of different organisms, including bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects including bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects

What remains after these organisms break down What remains after these organisms break down organic materials is the rich, earthy substance organic materials is the rich, earthy substance your garden will love your garden will love

Composting replicates nature's natural system of Composting replicates nature's natural system of breaking down materials on the forest floor breaking down materials on the forest floor

Considered "the organic garbage disposal," Considered "the organic garbage disposal," composting recycles food waste into rich, dark, composting recycles food waste into rich, dark, earth-smelling soil conditionerearth-smelling soil conditioner

Benefits of Benefits of CompostingComposting

A convenient way to dispose of organic wasteA convenient way to dispose of organic waste It saves space in the county landfill, which is It saves space in the county landfill, which is

good for the environmentgood for the environment Homegrown compost is a great way to feed Homegrown compost is a great way to feed

and nurture plantsand nurture plants Composting does not smell, and it will reduce Composting does not smell, and it will reduce

the smell of the rotting food in your garbage the smell of the rotting food in your garbage can each weekcan each week

Types of Types of CompostingComposting

Vermiculture – composting with Vermiculture – composting with worms in a containerworms in a container Composting bin in the garden or under Composting bin in the garden or under

the kitchen sinkthe kitchen sink Compost pileCompost pile Trench composting in a gardenTrench composting in a garden

Compost can be shoveled directly from Compost can be shoveled directly from trenches into gardentrenches into garden

Compost pockets throughout yardCompost pockets throughout yard Plant directly over pocket after one Plant directly over pocket after one

monthmonth

Composting – Composting – Tips for Happy WormsTips for Happy Worms

You need about 2,000 red wiggler worms for You need about 2,000 red wiggler worms for every pound per day of food waste every pound per day of food waste

You'll want a container with a depth of between 8 You'll want a container with a depth of between 8 and 12 inchesand 12 inches

The bin should be located in areas where the The bin should be located in areas where the temperatures are between 40 to 80temperatures are between 40 to 80°F°F

Worms do not like a lot of noise or vibrations, Worms do not like a lot of noise or vibrations, keep them away from high traffic areas. keep them away from high traffic areas.

Worms want an environment that is about 75 Worms want an environment that is about 75 percent water, never let your compost get too wet percent water, never let your compost get too wet or too dryor too dry

It's best to feed worms once a week in small It's best to feed worms once a week in small amounts. If you feed them more than they can amounts. If you feed them more than they can process you will end up with a stinking compost process you will end up with a stinking compost bin as the garbage literally backs up bin as the garbage literally backs up

Composting Do’sComposting Do’s

The pile needs a proper The pile needs a proper ratio of carbon-rich ratio of carbon-rich materials, or "browns," and materials, or "browns," and nitrogen-rich materials, or nitrogen-rich materials, or "greens." Among the "greens." Among the brown materials are dried brown materials are dried leaves, straw, and wood leaves, straw, and wood chips. Nitrogen materials chips. Nitrogen materials are fresh or green, such as are fresh or green, such as grass clippings and grass clippings and kitchen scraps.kitchen scraps.

Composting Don’tsComposting Don’tsDon't Use:Don't Use: Meat Meat Bones Bones Cheese Cheese Pet droppingsPet droppings Milk Milk Fats Fats Oils Oils Diseased plantsDiseased plants Rubber bands Rubber bands SpongesSponges

Don't use garden soil or mix fresh Don't use garden soil or mix fresh cow, horse or chicken manure into cow, horse or chicken manure into the bedding. These emit gases and the bedding. These emit gases and will raise the temperature of your will raise the temperature of your compost bin. You could end up compost bin. You could end up "cooking" your worms to death"cooking" your worms to death

Do not dispose of glass, plastic or Do not dispose of glass, plastic or aluminum foil in your compostaluminum foil in your compost

Although paper can be used as Although paper can be used as bedding, don't include paper with bedding, don't include paper with colored printing on it. Many colored colored printing on it. Many colored inks are toxic to wormsinks are toxic to worms

Uses for CompostUses for Compost

You can use compost as a mulch You can use compost as a mulch protecting the soil and shading out weed protecting the soil and shading out weed seeds. Nutrients are washed out into the seeds. Nutrients are washed out into the soil with each rain to feed the roots of soil with each rain to feed the roots of plants plants

Compost is great for mixing into the soil, Compost is great for mixing into the soil, it helps a sandy soil hold moisture and it helps a sandy soil hold moisture and nutrients better and improves clay soils nutrients better and improves clay soils too too

Compost mixed with some sand makes a Compost mixed with some sand makes a super potting soil for growing plants in super potting soil for growing plants in containers. containers.

Square Foot Square Foot GardeningGardening

Grow your own foodGrow your own food

What is square foot What is square foot gardening?gardening?

A simple and versatile gardening system that A simple and versatile gardening system that adapts to all levels of experience, physical adapts to all levels of experience, physical ability, and geographical location.ability, and geographical location.

A great earth friendly way to do your part in A great earth friendly way to do your part in helping to protect the environment helping to protect the environment

An easy way to grow your own fruits and An easy way to grow your own fruits and vegetables and teach your children the vegetables and teach your children the importance of eating organicimportance of eating organic

LocationLocation Pick an area that gets 6-8 hrs of sun dailyPick an area that gets 6-8 hrs of sun daily Avoid trees and shrubs where roots and Avoid trees and shrubs where roots and

shade may interfereshade may interfere Keep close to the house for convenience Keep close to the house for convenience

and protectionand protection Beware of areas that puddle after heavy Beware of areas that puddle after heavy

rainsrains

10 Basics of Square 10 Basics of Square Foot GardeningFoot Gardening

1. 1. LayoutLayout: Arrange your garden in squares, : Arrange your garden in squares, not rowsnot rows

2. 2. BoxesBoxes: Build boxes to hold new soil mix : Build boxes to hold new soil mix above groundabove ground

3. 3. AislesAisles: Space boxes 3 ft apart to form : Space boxes 3 ft apart to form walking aisleswalking aisles

4. 4. SoilSoil: Fill boxes with 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat : Fill boxes with 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 coarse vermiculitemoss, 1/3 coarse vermiculite

5. 5. GridGrid: Make a square foot grid for the top : Make a square foot grid for the top of each boxof each box

6. 6. CareCare: Never walk on your growing soil, : Never walk on your growing soil, tend garden from the aislestend garden from the aisles

7. 7. SelectSelect: Plant a different flower, vegetable, : Plant a different flower, vegetable, or crop in each square footor crop in each square foot

8. 8. PlantPlant: Conserve seeds. Plant only a pinch : Conserve seeds. Plant only a pinch (2 or 3 seeds) per hole(2 or 3 seeds) per hole

9. 9. WaterWater: Water by hand from a bucket of : Water by hand from a bucket of sun warmed watersun warmed water

10. 10. HarvestHarvest: When you finish harvesting a : When you finish harvesting a square foot, add compost and replant with square foot, add compost and replant with a new and different cropa new and different crop

10 Basics of Square 10 Basics of Square Foot GardeningFoot Gardening

Why garden this Why garden this way?way?

For home gardening raised bed For home gardening raised bed agriculture means less work, less agriculture means less work, less irrigation, improved soil, higher irrigation, improved soil, higher yields and no poisons. yields and no poisons.

It creates a healthy soil to grow It creates a healthy soil to grow healthy plants to provide healthy healthy plants to provide healthy food to feed healthy people.food to feed healthy people.

People suffer due to very poor People suffer due to very poor diets. Growing our own food diets. Growing our own food provides better nutritionprovides better nutrition

Some resourcesSome resources

www.journeytoforever.orgwww.journeytoforever.org www.minifarms.comwww.minifarms.com www.squarefootgardening.comwww.squarefootgardening.com www.timssquarefootgarden.comwww.timssquarefootgarden.com www.thegardenhelper.comwww.thegardenhelper.com