UL100D, Information Literacy and Technology

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

Name : Keri Howard

My Topic is about the treatment of animals in the factory farming industry and the effects
those animals have on humans. Lately I have been purchasing food and seeing a noticeable
difference between organic meats vs. non organic meats that usually come cheaper and
packaged in bulk. I would like to learn the process in which it takes for those animals to arrive
from farm to table. For some they will live their whole lives crammed into a small space, only
being born to be used for food. An alternative and more costly choice is organic farming. Giving
the animals more room to exercise and live in a natural environment. Although there also can be
downfalls to organic farming, such as lack of antibiotics. In factory farming animals are also
given growth hormones in order to speed up the growth process, helping to fatten them up faster.
Many factory farms are overstocked, giving the animals little to no space to move, causing
disease in animals that normally would not be present. I would like to learn if there is a
correlation between the hormones we inject animals with and the effects they have on humans.
Such as weight gain, cancer, and birth defects.






Kijlstra, A., and I.a.j.m. Eijck. "Animal Health in Organic Livestock Production Systems: A
Review." NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences 54.1 (2006): 77-94. Print.
This journal article highlights some of the dangers of organic farming. With lack
of antibiotics animals are prone to disease. It also points out that living in an open
environment makes the animals susceptible to viral disease. The article talks
about alternatives used to treat animals used for organic farming and gives
examples of preventative treatments used to ensure healthy breeding.
The article will be useful in providing a counter argument to organic farming. The
information on diseases caused in either type of farming will be useful and give a
fair view from both sides. The article will basically help to build a stronger
counterargument with support article from veterinarians and scientific studies
backing it up. I believe the article is unbiased and mainly factual which will be
helpful.

Nierenbierg, Danielle. "Factory Farming in the Developing
World."Http://www.worldwatch.org/system/files/EP163A.pdf. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.
This article basically gives the point of view from a man that used to own a large
factory chicken farm who switched to organic farming. He highlights the benefits
in organic farming. He also talks about the reasons he made the switch, including
the economy and the health of the chickens. They also talk about the change in
meat consumption throughout history. A noticeable increase has been shown due
to factory farming and an increase in availability of product.
Having the insight from someone who has actually been in the business will make
this a very useable source. With expert opinion from the side of factory farming
and organic farming I get to view it from each side, advantages and
disadvantages. This book is aimed toward anyone that wants to see the story from
both sides of the spectrum. The article is also very current. It shares current
practices and policies used worldwide.

Hassanein, Neva. Changing the Way America Farms: Knowledge and Community in the
Sustainable Agriculture Movement. Lincoln: U of Nebraska, 1999. Print.
Basically this book tells about practices from two different faming organizations.
The book focuses on a group of farmers known as the Ocooch Graxers Network,
they practice rotational grazing. Also Wisconsin Womens Sustainable Farming
Network. The book overviews and studies the practices by both groups. There is
also information about the ethics of faming. and talks about the ethics of farming.
The primary focus of the book is on local agricultural practices between the two
groups.
The book gives great expert opinion from two new groups practicing more ethical
means of farming. The book puts it into laymen term and gets down to the roots
of what is good and bad for the environment at a farmers level. The expert
opinion of an everyday person will be helpful. The author Nevaa Hassanein has
her doctorate in environmental studies which adds credibility to her argument.
"Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming." United States Department of Agriculture,
18 July 1980.
This article addresses the concerns people have with where their food comes
from, the welfare of the animals and a basic overview of the whole topic. The
article is a reaction to an increase in people wanting to know where their food is
coming from. It reviews large and small scale farms, giving good contrast in the
subject. The study is basically used to create a connection between the secretary
of agriculture and the world of organic farming.
This government article includes information received during a study done by the
U.S Department of Agriculture. The article may be a little outdated but It still has
valuable information about practices in other countries. As well as a broad
overview of the organic farming industry. The information has been verified by
the executive director of the International Federation of Organic Agricultural
Movements. Also Dr. Richard Hardwood, the director of organic gardening and
farming research center is another very credible source. In this article I can see
they have done in depth research into this subject.

Pluhar, E.B. (2010). Meat and Morality ; Alternatives to Factory farming. Journal of Agricultural
and Environmental Ethics, 23 (5) 455-468
This article asks for a call to action with the production of our meat. The article
explores the different alternatives such as, vegetarianism, in vetro meat
production, and humane animal farming. The topic is viewed from a couple of
different viewpoints and countries giving a broad outlook of organic farming in
the world. The article also deals with an investigation done on factory farming.
The investigation has led to questions regarding whether or not it is right to
practice factory farming.
This journal brings to attention the moral dilemma of eating meant and the
alternative options, the book is definitely bias in trying to veer people away from
eating meat which is hard not to find with this sort of subject. Anyone considering
an alternate lifestyle to consuming meat would find this article helpful. The
journal was published in 2010 and deals with current American and European
production of meat and the methods that are being considered in each country.
With a look at two different countries, this gives a broad look at the different
options our world has as far as animal production and a view on what is working
where. Not necessarily pushing people to never have meat but the be more
considerate and educated on where it is coming from.