Farming was the primary factor that shaped the early Maryland Chesapeake. Tobacco was the most in demand product of its time. By 1617 Maryland Chesapeake exported about 15 to 17 million pounds of tobacco yearly. Tobacco cultivation changed settlement patterns in the Maryland Chesapeake region. Since tobacco was rapidly dependent on soil fertility, the acreage demands of tobacco, linked with field rotation methods employed by planters, needed the large tracts of land to be set aside for future tobacco fields. Plantations would use agriculture technology like harrows to break up clods and cover seeds.
Difference between Conventionally Grown Products, Organic Products, and GMO Products:
When it comes down to manufacturing food products there are multiple ways that they can be grown. From Conventionally grown products, to Organically grown products, to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) products. A Conventionally grown product is manufactured by using scientific and technological developments to grown food. Conventionally grown products uses chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and also chemical weed killers. Organically grown products are a bit different, they are manufactured without using synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, genetic engineering, chemical pesticides, and drugs. Organic products also do not contain long lasting preservatives. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) products are manufactured with organisms that’s genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination. The technology that is used are often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”, sometimes also “recombinant DNA technology” or “genetic engineering”. It enables a selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, and also between non-related species.
The Evolution of Pesticides:
Pesticides are agents used to destroy pest that can negatively affect the production and lives of plants or animals. Ever since farming was invented farmers have always tried different substances to keep harmful insects and organisms away. From using sulphur compound used my the Sumerians to control insects and mites. To the Chinese using mercury and arsenical compounds for controlling body lice. To the ancient Greeks and Romans using folk magic and the use of chemical methods to control plant diseases, weeds, insects, and animals. Farmers were desperate to keep away pest from their crops. Later on in the 1940’s , DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) was developed. DDT was the first modern synthetic pesticide. It was first used to fight off malaria, typhus, and the other insect-borne human diseases among both military and the civilian populations. Then many farmers discovered that it had been very effective on insect control in crop and livestock production, homes, and gardens. DDT soon started to spread from the United States to other foreign countries. Even though DDT was very effective, it was later not allowed in Britain in 1986 and in the United States in 2001. Studies show that it was linked to many harmful things like cancers, male infertility, miscarriages, developmental delay, and nervous system and liver damage. Now the most commonly used pesticides are insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides.
Future of farming:
If you ask any farmer, “what do you think the future of farming is?”. Many will answer with “the future of farming is not farming”. I strongly believe that the statement is true. As the world’s population continues to grow, the more mouths must be feed. No matter if those mouths are vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, or just plain old omnivores, they all depend on farming. Many farmers have already started to stray away from modern day farming. Many have started farming inside and using a technique called Vertical Farming. Vertical Farming isn’t like traditional horzitional field, they grow them inside in racks on top of each other. Also since it’s indoor the plants are not affected by the harsh environment, and the farmers use climate control. The plants are placed in hydroponics, which is when the roots of a plant sit in nutrient-rich water. That means no soil, less water needed than in a traditional farming fields, and easier access to the produce. In the next 20 years I believe that Vertical Farming will be the only type of farming around.
