Agricultural Issues

Introduction
Our case study is about the comparison
of industrial and urban agriculture and
its effects on sustainability. The
sustainability model touches on the
different sectors of economic,
environmental, and social.
Research Topic and Goals
The purpose of our case study is to gain a
better understanding of the pros and cons
between these two types of agricultural
methods. Through this we should be able to
gain a better understanding of how each
method affects the different spheres of
sustainability. This comparison should
provide enough information for the reader
to come to the conclusion of which method is
better.
Research Questions

Between industrial and

urban agriculture, which
one is more sustainable?
 Literature Review
Industrial Agriculture Studies:
Modern agriculture lead to increased
food productions for a growing
population but there are concerns
due to the major consumption of
fossil fuels, water, and topsoil at
unsustainable rates as well as its
contribution to environmental
degradation.
Urban Agricultural Studies:
This form of agriculture can
increase the sustainability of
cities by reducing their ecological
footprint, conserve biodiversity,
and improve the quality of life
within a city. But it is at the cost of
gentrifying various races of lower
socioeconomic status.
 Industrial Agriculture Data EV EC S
PROS CONS
- Fewer geographic limitations - Oil compaction from excessive heavy machinery, groundwater
- Farmers have greater access to water from irrigation contamination, fertilizer in drainage, pesticide residue, less
- Greater access to fertilizers that reduce impact of seasonal
biodiversity in the area, increased carbon emissions
weather changes

- over a third of the vegetables and around two-thirds of nuts and - Smaller farms benefit and support local communities and
fruits grown in the United States come from California. businesses, while industrial large farms don’t do that on top of
- Creates jobs: Harvesting, Engineering, Irrigation design and not really creating jobs for the community
installation,

- quickly increases output (through - concentrates control of land to corporations

mechanization/irrigation/pesticides), helping developing - rural pop. left landless
countries produce enough food - Workers mistreated (ie threats of deportation)
 Urban Agriculture Data
PROS
- Healthier, cleaner environments
- Green space can filter air, remove pollution, cool
temperatures, utilize stormwater, replenish
groundwater, and provide food
- Typically in higher class environments ensuring the
community they are at has money to sustain the urban
environment
- Locations will not contribute to a decline in mental or
physical health
- Higher likelihood of physical activities in a beautiful
environment (reducing obesity)
- Higher rates of exercise can lead to better mental health
EV EC S
CONS
- Unable to provide green space for depleted environments
typically where lower income POC reside
- Gentrification: displacement due to raised costs of living
which has drawn out ethnic neighborhoods
- More monetary investments in poor neighborhoods, not
many taxpayers willing to do so
- Gentrification: displacement of people in lower economic
statuses and general persons of color in order to make
urban green spaces for wealthier people
- U.S. minority communities have a lack of access to green
space
- Green Space communities take heavy consideration on
ethnic background and income
Findings/Argument
-Industrial agriculture - economic advantage with high production of
goods and jobs that helps to feed countries, but awful for the
environment and damaging to communities

-Urban agriculture - environmental and social importance, better

health and air filtration, but dangerous for communities once
gentrification comes
Conclusions

While small scale urban gardens and large scale industrial

agriculture do not have much in common, they both have distinct
reasons and benefits for existing alongside definite downsides.
However, when approached from the perspective of the 3 spheres of
sustainability, urban agriculture is simply more sustainable. While
the potential possible environmental injustice can be watched for
and guarded against, there’s just no way to reconcile the
environmental and social destruction caused by Industrial
agriculture.
Works Cited
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2018
Etehad, Melissa. “Amid Thomas fire, farm workers weather risks in Oxnard’s Strawberry fields”
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Haspel, Tamar. “Small vs. Large: Which size farm is better for the planet?” Washington Post. 2
Sept 2014. Washington Post. Web. 11 April 2018.
Horrigan, Leo, et al. “How Sustainable Agriculture Can Address the Environmental and Human Health Harms of Industrial
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