Where's my thinking? 2/17/2025
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Background to my inquiry: I’m part owner (with my cousins and siblings) of a farm in the Midwest that’s been in our family since the 1800s. The farm has changed drastically in my own lifetime. As a boy I remember slopping hogs, watering fruit trees, watching cows grazing in pastures, playing on the roof of the root cellar and in haylofts and corn cribs. Now all the out buildings are gone, there are no animals, and the land produces only corn and soybeans on an industrial scale. Meanwhile, I try to grow more of my own food without chemicals in my own yard and the yards of my own kids. I get inspired by movies like The Biggest Little Farm, but a lot of people argue that sustainable farming methods aren’t practical. What’s a small-time organic and part-time industrial farmer to do?
Create an illustration that captures the contrast between traditional and modern farming through the perspective of a Midwestern farm owner. The main subject is a farmer, representing multiple generational ties to the land, standing at a boundary where two worlds meet. On one side, depict a nostalgic, idyllic scene of a 19th-century family farm with lush pastures, cows grazing, fruit trees, and children playing in haylofts and corn cribs. The other side transitions into a modern, industrial-scale farm producing corn and soybeans, with expansive fields stretching into the horizon. The farmer appears contemplative, holding a basket of organically grown vegetables, embodying the struggle to balance sustainable methods with industrial practices. Include subtle details like a faded barn in the background to represent history, and blend rich, earthy tones to evoke a sense of heritage and environmental consciousness.
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Prompt: “An illustration depicting a multi-generational family farm in the Midwest, showcasing a transition from traditional farming to modern agricultural practices. On one side, portray a nostalgic scene of the past with a young boy joyfully playing in the haylofts, corn cribs, and on the roof of the root cellar, surrounded by fruit trees, grazing cows, and hogs. On the opposite side, contrast it with the present-day industrial landscape, highlighting vast fields of corn and soybeans. In the foreground, illustrate a passionate family member tending to a chemical-free, organic garden at home, inspired by sustainable farming practices similar to those in ‘The Biggest Little Farm.’ The sky above conveys an inspiring message of hope and transformation, with colors transitioning from warm nostalgic hues to vibrant, promising tones of the future. The composition should convey the juxtaposition between the nostalgia of the past, the reality of the present, and the hopeful possibilities of sustainable farming.”
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List of stakeholders: Me, my family (including my forebears), my siblings, cousins, farm neighbors, greater Lovejoy Township community, ecosystem around the farm, food suppliers, fertilizer and pesticide companies, grain buyers.
Summary of my first source: In the article, “Factory farms are our best hope for feeding the planet,” Michael Grunwald writes that industrial agriculture is often criticized for its environmental and ethical impact, including toxic chemicals, monoculture crops, and factory farming. Despite all that, the author claims that industrial agriculture is going to have to play a crucial role in feeding the growing global population. According to Grunwald factory farms are effective at maximizing production on less land, and therefore make for sustainable food systems. The article contrasts industrial agriculture with "regenerative agriculture" (aka organic farming) which emphasizes more eco-friendly practices. Grunwald argues that regenerative farming sounds good, but because it often requires more land it’s less environmentally sustainable than industrial methods. He also says that regenerative practices haven’t actually produced effective climate solutions. Additionally, the article also argues that the Green Revolution (a term I don’t associate with industrial farming btw), despite creating environmental issues, helped prevent further deforestation by increasing crop yields. I feel like the author glossed over environmental issues created by nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides. The author suggests that more efficient practices (he profiles a feedlot that he describes positively) are necessary to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. Ultimately, the article says that industrial farming is not inherently "evil" but can be made more sustainable with the right innovations and policies.
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It’s clear from your inquiry that you’re grappling with the complexities of balancing traditional family farming with modern agricultural practices. Let’s explore some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that might resonate with your situation. Are you interested in hearing more?
I see three main inquiry topics emerging from your writing.
Inquiry Question 1: How can traditional farming practices be integrated with modern techniques to create a sustainable farming system?
Quotes:
- “As a boy I remember slopping hogs, watering fruit trees, watching cows grazing in pastures, playing on the roof of the root cellar and in haylofts and corn cribs.”
- “Now all the out buildings are gone, there are no animals, and the land produces only corn and soybeans on an industrial scale.”
This inquiry question aligns with SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 15: Life on Land. Traditional farming practices often emphasize biodiversity and soil health (SDG 15), and integrating these with modern techniques can lead to more responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). By diversifying crops and incorporating sustainable practices, farms can also contribute to food security (SDG 2).
Would you like to delve deeper into the next inquiry topic?
Inquiry Question 2: What are the potential environmental impacts of industrial farming versus organic farming?
Quotes:
- “Now all the out buildings are gone, there are no animals, and the land produces only corn and soybeans on an industrial scale.”
- “I feel like the author glossed over environmental issues created by nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides.”
This question is closely related to SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land. Industrial farming often involves practices that contribute to climate change (SDG 13) and can negatively impact marine ecosystems through runoff (SDG 14). On the flip side, organic farming can enhance terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15) but may require more land. Exploring these impacts can provide insights into how agricultural practices align with environmental sustainability goals.
Would you like to explore the third inquiry topic now?
Inquiry Question 3: How can small-scale farmers balance economic viability with sustainable agricultural practices?
Quotes:
- “What’s a small-time organic and part-time industrial farmer to do?”
- “I get inspired by movies like The Biggest Little Farm, but a lot of people argue that sustainable farming methods aren’t practical.”
This inquiry connects with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Small-scale farmers face the challenge of maintaining economic viability (SDG 8) while adopting sustainable practices that contribute to community well-being (SDG 11) and responsible production (SDG 12). Exploring strategies for balancing these elements can lead to more effective and sustainable farming approaches.
How do you feel about these inquiry questions? Do they resonate with your current challenges and goals? Feel free to share your thoughts, and we can explore further how these align with your writing journey. Remember, you can revise or edit your writing right now. If this is your document, click on a sentence or a paragraph number in the left panel, then hit Edit, make your changes, and hit Update. You can also hit Suggest Revision on a document that you have been invited to. Another option is to hit Add to Document, and then you can add New Content for deeper, multi-paragraph rewrites.
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