Farms play a significant role in putting food on our tables, but not all farming methods are created equal.
Traditional farming uses bigger crops over more acres outdoors, where farmers may raise livestock like pigs and cows.
Traditional farming is spread across many acres, creating more jobs for local farmers.
Lower upfront costs are needed to farm a crop outdoors.
Though it may be more cost-efficient initially, traditional farming has some drawbacks:
- Clearing land for crops destroys more ecosystems.
- Outdoor crops are more susceptible to elements and weather patterns.
- Raising livestock emits harmful greenhouse gases like methane.
- Chemicals in pesticides to grow plants wash into local streams and lakes.
When farmers use technology to support the growth of their food, it opens a world of possibilities.
Smart farming uses technology to collect and analyze information from farms. This information helps the farmers make more intelligent choices about running their farms.
Greenhouses allow farmers to grow food all year in all different climates. Innovative growing systems also help farmers automate tasks like harvesting.
Plants can be grown vertically, taking up less space than an outdoor crop. Intelligent watering systems recycle water and reduce water usage by 90%.
THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Identify one specific drawback of traditional farming and suggest a corresponding solution offered by smart farming techniques.