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Deep in the Weeds of Organic Farming

By Matthew S. Taylor, Mariëlle H. Hoefnagels, Mark E. Walvoord

Deep in the Weeds of Organic Farming


 

Abstract

Deciding between organic or conventional produce is one of the many choices that consumers make when buying food. Is organic produce worth the extra cost? Is it healthy and good for the environment? This case study challenges students to gather evidence defending both organic and conventional farming. The case begins with a story in which customers at a farmers market talk to an organic and a conventional farmer. After reading the story, students in small groups use online resources to investigate claims about the environmental and health benefits of each farming practice. Students then use the structured method of “intimate debate,” taking turns defending both organic farming and conventional farming. In addition to applying ecological concepts such as competition and nutrient cycling to agriculture, this case study also helps students learn how to identify bias in online resources and engage in civil, substantive conversation about environmental problems. The case was designed for college students in an introductory biology course to reinforce scientific thinking near the beginning of the semester or at the end of the ecology unit to reinforce ecological connections.

   

Date Posted

02/07/2022

Overview

Objectives

  • Discriminate reputable sources of information from biased sources.
  • Defend an opinion using scientific arguments.
  • Explain the tradeoffs of conventional and organic agriculture.
  • Talk to others about the pros and cons of buying organic foods.
  • Define organic agriculture, pesticide, and fertilizer.
  • Explain why weeds and pests limit crop growth.
  • Describe how synthetic pesticides kill weeds and insects.
  • List ways to manage weeds and insects other than with synthetic pesticides.
  • Compare and contrast synthetic pesticides with organic alternatives.
  • Recall which nutrients limit plant growth.
  • Compare and contrast synthetic fertilizers with compost.

Keywords

Organic farming; conventional farming; fertilizer; pesticides; compost; weeds; bias; debate; agriculture;

  

Subject Headings

Agriculture
Biology (General)
Botany / Plant Science
Environmental Science
Food Science / Technology
Nutrition

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Intimate Debate

 

 

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