a food system approach: assessing food security from a holistic perspective
A food systems approach explores how production, distribution, and access shape food security, highlighting systemic solutions beyond increasing yield.
what is ethanol?
Ethanol is a renewable fuel derived from plants like corn and sugarcane. Learn how it’s made, its uses, and its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting sustainability efforts.
a history of domestic (American) agricultural policy
Although much of the original motivation to settle America was fueled by a divine imperative to ‘go forth and conquer’ in the name of God, domestic farm policy also played a large role in motivating both citizens and newly arrived immigrants to settle the lands of the vast unknown. This began in the 1800s when…
Economics | Environment | Food
a history of agricultural education in the United States
Agriculture has been the backbone of communities throughout the United States since the birth of the nation. While the field has been wrought with controversy, it can also be considered innovative in many respects. Agricultural education is one of these areas… Until the mid-1800s, universities in the United States were mostly private organizations that focused…
Economics | Environment | Food
what are open-source seeds? why are open-source seeds important?
Perhaps you have heard the term open-source. Maybe you heard about it within the context of software and technology as the open-source movement originated within the software development community as a means to encourage innovation and knowledge sharing. As such, the open-source concept is best-known within the technological paradigm. However, the essence of open-source can…
the advantages and disadvantages of agribusiness
Discover the advantages and disadvantages of agribusiness, from efficiency and economic growth to corporate control, market barriers, and sustainability concerns.
Economics | Environment | Food | Health
covid-19 and our food system: the wake up call we need?
The whole world is dealing with the consequences of the novel coronavirus – everyone from the residents of European capitals to members of indigenous Amazonian tribes is feeling the effect. COVID-19 is the main topic of discussion and has been for a few months now and will continue to be for many months to come….
how does agribusiness work? what are the different parts of agribusiness?
Good or bad, agribusiness is an undeniable part of the agricultural landscape. We often associate the concept with (bad) industry practices and giant corporations. These associations aren’t wrong, but there is so much more to agribusiness than widely- known cultural giants with poor social and environmental track records. So, what does agribusiness really mean? The…
what is agribusiness? how did agribusiness evolve?
Historically speaking, agriculture has been treated as a single, unified sector in which existing market mechanisms (most commonly government intervention) enabled the coordination of production and distribution. This approach failed to account for the activities engaged in by private entities, e.g. farmers or industries working with farmers. The common understanding of agriculture as a sector…
the main challenges to alternative food networks
Alternative food networks (AFNs) aim to help connect food consumers with food producers in the hope that the resocialization of consumption will drive change within the food system. Such changes are generally geared towards promoting social and environmental sustainability. However, even with holistic intentions, alternative food networks [AFNs] are not without their challenges, limitations, and…