The disappearance of small farms in America has been a gradual process that has accelerated in recent decades. The government’s push for increased food productivity during the Cold War led to the conversion of small farms into larger, more efficient operations. This resulted in a significant decrease in the number of farmers and a loss of local food traditions. The use of fertilizers, new labor-saving machines, and scientific advances such as the use of antibiotics to make animals grow faster also contributed to this trend.
The loss of small farms has had a profound impact on our food system and our health. Small farms not only provide fresh and nutritious food, but they also play a critical role in preserving local food traditions, supporting rural communities, and protecting the environment. The disappearance of small farms has led to a loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and increased dependence on chemical inputs.
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the fragility of our food system and the need for a more sustainable and resilient food system that can ensure food security and improve the health of people. A sustainable food system should prioritize small-scale, regenerative, and organic farming practices. It should also support local food economies and provide fair prices to farmers.
To create a more sustainable food system, we must take a holistic approach that addresses the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of food production and consumption. This will require collaboration among farmers, policymakers, researchers, and consumers. By working together, we can create a food system that is healthy for people and the planet.
Comprehension
1) What led to the decrease in the number of small farms in America?
2) What are some of the impacts of the loss of small farms on our food system and health?
3) How can we create a more sustainable and resilient food system?
Vocabulary
Match the words to the definition:
1) fertilizer
2) soil
3) degradation
4) fragility
5) holistic
6) policymakers
a) quality of being easily broken
b) entire
c) dirt or earth, used mainly when discussing plants
d) the decrease in quality
e) a substance added to soil to help plants grow
f) people who make the laws
Grammar Highlights
Use noun forms rather than verbs for a more formal sound:
“The disappearance of small farms in America has been a gradual process that…”
“Small farms in America are disappearing gradually and …”
Use inversion in all C1 writings:
“Small farms not only provide fresh and nutritious food, but they also play a critical role in preserving local food traditions.”