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Farmers are paid fairly through local markets. Their incomes are derrived from the marketplace. they are not advised to overproduce or use pesticides to enhance shelf life.
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Prior to World War II, most farming was organic and local. During the war however, companies like Monsanto created chemicals that could kill insects and the idea of farming was replaced with the industrialized idea of food production.
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DDT insecticide becomes common practice for factory farmers. The harmful health risks of the chemical are not uncovered until the later half of the 20th century.
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Studies suggest that on average only 1 farmer is necessary in order to meet the needs of 10 consumers.
Photo by Heather Lang -
Grass-roots farmers like J. I. Rodale and Paul K. Keene publically shun factory farming by writing about their experiences as organic farmers.
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Farms utilize tractors rather than horses in order to enhance agricultural productivity per acre.
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Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" is published. This book documents the negative consequenses of industrialized agriculture and Monsanto's chemicals.
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The once ethical corn market is turned upside down as Richard Nixon and Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz place policies that demand for farmers to overproduce corn. The corn industry and the food industry is forever changed. The focus shifts from quality to quanitity.
Image by Purdue University's College of Agriculture -
Studies suggest that on average only 1 farmer is necessary in order to meet the needs of 75 consumers.
Photo by Morbid Holiday -
The first ever Whole Foods Market opens in Austin Texas. A 19 member staff retails an organic, local, and sustainable farming method.
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As consumer awareness of organic agriculture grows, Congress passes bills such as the Organic Foods Production Act and creates the National Organic Standards.
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Jack in the Box's E.Coli epidemic kills 4 and sickens hundreds. The incident becomes known as "the 9/11 of the food industry." Factory farm techniques and suppliers are at fault for the outbreak.
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National Organic Standards is implemented in the United States. Food labeling, food safety, customer awareness, and environmentalism are becoming more and more important to consumers.
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First case of mad cow disease is reported in the US. The sick cow was imported from canada. Eating meat from cows carrying the disease is thought to cause variant Creutzfeldt.Jakob disease resulting a fatal brain tissue abnormality.
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New research and congressional bills increase funding for organic programs, research, and efforts.
Image by Agricorner
