The Negative Effects Of Empty Pastures

The rise of AFOs and other innovative agricultural systems have left a large stain on the environment as a whole. Their many negative side effects have caused serious set backs to organisms and land as we know it. After reading the novel Empty Pastures by Terance Centner, these negative side effects were brought into the light for the public to see. The many issues brought up include contamination of water and soil, pesticide use, animal welfare, and the economic effects on rural communities. With deep background roots in the traditional farming culture, Centner begins each chapter speaking of his childhood allowing for the reader to grasp an idea of his personal upbringing and the effect it has on his thoughts when writing this novel. He
In order to be able to sell food cheaper we have begun adding chemicals like GMOs and pesticides to our crops and containing our animals through the use of AFOs. Over the past century American agriculture has dramatically changed due to the fact that small, commercial farms are finding it harder and harder to compete with large-scale (mostly indoor) animal feeding operations (AFOs). Agricultural occupations such as farming often do not offer economic prosperity, thus pushing workers to seek financial advances. Many farmers look to GMOs and AFOs because they provide an easier way to gain surplus in the product. Pesticides and steroids are examples, as they alter growth providing larger products faster. Knowing these practices have major negative effects, farmers still use these outlets as a means to gain advantage over other competitors. Centner sees a worsening situation, as individual farmers are finding it necessary to alter their practices and hurting the environment for financial reasons. An example of this is the new terminator gene spoken of on pg. 86, which is said to be more harmful to the environment than helpful. Since farmers grow so much food using pesticides and GMOs, there is talk to find a way to limit production, allowing for conservation. Programs are being looked into where we can pay farmers through grants and
For example, in one of Centners lengthy discussion of issues, he speaks of change in an individual farmer's technology usage as having implications for right-to-farm laws. The individual farmer simply cannot afford cutting-edge technology, thus creating even more advantages for the big corporations and more reason to get ahead. As technology is one of the issues for pollution and other issues, Centner does offer positive things to say about the role of technology and science in the new agricultural demand. By being able to identify pollution sources, new technologies can help to facilitate management of ongoing pollution. Machinery can help accommodate for too much pollution one day by cutting back the next or determining which fields need more tending to. Along side of this, precision farming using remote sensing technology, and satellite imagery will allow for farmers to map field conditions and improve fertilizer, pesticide, and water applications. Technology can be a very helpful tool in the agricultural world if used properly to build up the industry rather then poison