Why is our world in need of a revolutionary agriculture system and how

can modern technology be applied to create an innovative solution?

George McQuinn

Senior Project Advisor: Kurt Pattison, Sean Woytek

12th Grade Humanities

Animas High School
24 April 2017
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Eating is essential to our survival. From the beginning of our existence as a race,

humanity has been challenged to keep food on the table. From primitive tribes hunting game and

harvesting native plants to industrialized farming and feedlots, it has all been in the name of one

goal; feeding the people. As technology has improved, population has grown and society has

progressed, we have done our best to produce enough food to keep everyone from starving. We

have done this by introducing fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation systems and various other growth

stimulating techniques. Unfortunately, many of the methods used to provide food are not only

inhumane but also have extreme negative effects on the environment. Although we have found

ways to provide mass amounts of food in the short term, our system is in need of serious change.

There are new growing technologies such as hydroponics and aquaponics, which I will focus on

later in the paper, that are extremely efficient and soft on the environment. By implementing

these techniques and working alongside local food and urban farming movements, we can begin

to redefine how our food is produced.

Manufacturing mass amounts of food has been extremely taxing on water consumption as

well as water quality due to runoff. Most of the issues here are a result of adding excessive

nutrients, agrochemicals, sediment input and contamination by heavy metals. As farmland is

used year after year, often to grow the same crops, the soil loses its fertility. Because it takes up

to 300 years for 1 inch of agricultural topsoil to form, soil that is lost is essentially

irreplaceable.[1] Agrochemicals and other nutrients are then added manually in order to make

up for the natural loss. Many of these additives are not fully consumed by the crop, and once the

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crop is harvested, or due to rain and weather, the excess nutrients and chemicals are washed into

nearby watersheds. Although these nutrients boost growth in the natural ecosystems, it increases

by a great margin the growth of aquatic macrophytes (algae). As stated in a UK agricultural

study, The increased productivity due to substantial nutrient inputs leads to increased bacterial

decomposition of dead organic matter, which in turn, is the cause of declining oxygen

concentrations.[2] With bacteria depleting the oxygen level, there is less opportunity for other

species to thrive, therefore offsetting the important balances of the ecosystem. Creating

significant imbalances in an ecosystem can quickly lead to aquatic dead zones, especially in

locations with less water resources. Improper distribution of water in dry areas is called

desertification and ruins many habitats by using their water to grow food.

The increased use of pesticides may help farmers to avoid unwanted infestations in the

short term, but it has been discovered that there are many drawbacks. For example in an article

published by Everything Connects, it was said that, over 98% of sprayed insecticides and

95% of herbicides reach a destination other than their target species, including non-target

species, air, water, bottom sediments, and food.[3] The amount of chemicals being released into

the environment is enormous, and when only 2-5% is actually working correctly, it makes you

wonder how its even worth the money. Farmers invest a huge amount of money and time each

year into agrochemicals and equipment for their application, only to unnecessarily release most

of these harmful substances into the surrounding environment. As more research and testing is

done on pesticides, we have found that they can greatly affect human health. Since these

chemicals are used extensively, in fields, lawns and parks, we encounter them every day. In

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February 2009, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry published a study that

found that children who live in homes where their parents use pesticides are twice as likely to

develop brain cancer versus those that live in residences in which no pesticides are used.[5]

This evidence is extremely daunting considering where our children live, play and go to school.

Even if pesticides were designed to be less harmful and always reach their intended

target, the other problem we face is pesticide resistance. Every time a pesticide is introduced to a

species, the survivors continue to breed and gradually develop a resistance to that particular

chemical. In other words, we are slowly creating pests that will be invincible to pesticides. As

stated by the center for environmental research at Cornell University, One drawback to this is

that pesticides generally kill not only the pest of concern, but also a wide range of other

organisms, including beneficial insects and other pest predators. Once the effect of the pesticide

wears off, the pest species is likely to recover more rapidly than its predators because of

differences in the available food supply.[1] Despite the fact that many farmers have avoided this

method of growing, there is a way to grow large crops conventionally and without pesticides.

The way to do this is by switching crops each season so that predators do not return year after

year. Because most pests are specific to a certain crop, switching crops deters them from creating

a reliance on the farm. Every time you change what is being grown, the pests have to completely

replace their bug attack artillery.

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Another negative effect of the conventional agriculture methods used today is the output

of greenhouse gases. From transportation of food to methane release, there is a variety of ways

that food production impacts air quality. For example the methods used in tillage, irrigation and

fertilizer application can greatly affect the amount of N2O or nitrous oxide released[6]. This

management of soil accounts for over half of the greenhouse gasses released by agriculture. As a

greater world perspective, it is interesting to know that much of the agricultural methane released

by our planet comes from rice crops. Greenhouse Gas Online stated that, At between 50 and

100 million tonnes of methane a year, rice agriculture is a big source of atmospheric methane,

possibly the biggest of man-made methane sources.[7] Another third of the harmful gases in the

US comes from the methane released by livestock, especially cattle, during their digestive

process of enteric fermentation. The rest of the greenhouse gases contributed by the agriculture

sector is a result of manure processing. Depending on how these facilities store their manure, it

can be exposed to more or less moisture and oxygen which affects the amount of nitrous oxide

and methane released. Even though conventional agriculture only accounts for about 9% of the

greenhouse gases[6] that our nation produces, this is only one of its many impacts and does not

take into account the CO2 emissions

from the transportation of food.

Hydroponics is a relatively new growing technology that eliminates the use of soil. These

systems cycle water directly to the plant roots in order to provide nutrients faster and in a more

controlled manner than with soil, allowing for doubled crop growth rates. The chemically refined

nutrients are added manually so that the plants get exactly the right amount of nutrition. As this

controlled farming technique becomes more renowned, it is becoming a popular choice for many

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industrial farmers, especially in cold weather locations where plants must be grown inside. One

example of where hydroponics are being used very successfully is in the newly emerging

Colorado Marijuana industry. As marijuana has become increasingly legal for medical and

recreational use, companies are building massive growing warehouses in downtown Denver and

using hydroponics to grow marijuana year round. As one can imagine, this method of growing a

large number of plants in any climate and within city limits, has a lot of potential for more than

growing drugs. If we could eliminate the need for transportation of produce and supply

neighborhoods with fresh vegetables grown just down the street, this would be a huge step in the

right direction. These facilities also have the potential to provide jobs and boost local economies.

Although this system of growing produces high yields, lessens water usage, and

minimizes transportation, there are downfalls, especially when it comes to industrial systems.

The first is that the start up cost of building a hydroponic facility is much higher than that of a

conventional farm. If the system is being set up inside, one must consider the cost of grow lights,

planters and heating elements, along with other technical instruments, fans and plumbing

equipment. These expenses are all on top of the cost of seeds and nutrient additives. A

hydroponic facility also requires extensive technical knowledge in order to run smoothly and

keep the plants alive. This is mostly due to the great reliance hydroponics has on mechanical

systems which if not used properly can be disastrous to crops. Although the daily maintenance

time of crops is less, the plants cannot be left unattended as they rely on a person for nutrients.

Even with automated nutrient and release systems, the facility must be supervised in case of any

technical difficulties.

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Another revolutionary growing technology is the greenhouse, which has been evolving

since the Victorian Period. Originally, greenhouses were made out of fragile, expensive, single

paned glass panels and could only be built by the wealthiest of people. The first greenhouses

consisted mostly of ornamental plants and were attached to large mansions as decoration and a

symbol of their prosperity. These original greenhouses did not actually provide much in the form

of heat retention or assisting plant growth, but instead were build as a kind of bright and

beautiful living room. However, as the concept of indoor growing evolved and materials became

readily available and less expensive, farmers began to realize the advantages of these translucent

structures. With the Industrial Revolution and the mass production of polymers (plastics) and

other building materials, the concept of a personal greenhouse became much more realistic and

the agriculture industry could also take advantage of the greenhouse concept. Today, thousands

of greenhouses are built across our country and the world, from small backyard projects to

massive industrial operations.

Greenhouses are an incredible tool because they provide an abundance of advantages

from climate and pest control to saving money at the grocery store. The primary function of a

greenhouse is to keep plants warmer than they would be outside. This means that farmers and

hobbyists alike can extend their growing season beyond the limitations of natural climates and

cold snaps. One cold night in October can easily ruin an entire crop, even when there will be

plenty more growing days before winter. If engineered properly, likely using an automated

ventilation system, the climate in a greenhouse can be controlled very precisely in order to avoid

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the disastrous effects of not only cold nights but also scorching summer days. Depending on the

sophistication of the climate control systems in the greenhouse, many crops can be grown year

round.

In recent years, agriculture experts and solar engineers have discovered a way in which to

design a greenhouse so efficiently that it can run year round, in almost any climate, without the

use of any external heating source. This concept, explained in depth by Lindsey Schiller in a

book called the Year Round Solar Greenhouse,[8] relies on different engineering techniques to

absorb and retain enough sunlight and heat during the day to keep it warm all night, even in

winter months. The first important step is to orient the greenhouse toward the sun so that the

majority of the translucent covering is facing south. There are a variety of ways to cover a

greenhouse depending on budget, climate and other factors. The covering material of a

greenhouse is called the glazing. Of course glass is the classic choice, but is extremely

expensive, fragile and does not insulate well. There are other glazing options including

plexiglass, fiberglass, polyethylene sheets and vinyl. Perhaps the most efficient and cost effective

is combining two layers of polyethylene to create a double layer poly film. Another advantage to

the poly film is that it can be easily attached to a greenhouse of any shape or size. The next

important component to an ultra-efficient greenhouse is insulation. The north wall should be

completely insulated so that light coming from the south is reflected off of the back wall onto the

plants, creating a more thermally stable environment. In order to grow through the cold winter

months, it is mandatory that one maximizes light and heat. This is done by using proper glazing

materials and strategically angling this surface in order to collect the greatest amount of sunlight.

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Once the sun penetrates the glazing, it is extremely important to contain that heat in objects with

thermal mass. Thermal mass is considered to be any material that stores excess heat and slowly

radiates it over time. Heat capacity is an object or substances ability to obtain and retain heat.

These properties can be found in rocks, black objects, barrels of water, and anything else with a

high heat capacity. During the summer, it is crucial to reduce sun exposure and heat in case of

overheating the plants. This can be achieved by again changing the angles of the glazing and

depending on the situation, it may necessitate installing an automated cooling system.

Aquaponics is a variation on hydroponics that combines agriculture with aquaculture and

may be the perfect solution to our agriculture problems. It is commonly known that energy on

this earth comes from dead organic matter, and that plants grow with the nutrients left behind by

decomposed organic waste. Aquaponics takes this relationship and puts it to use by supplying

plants with fresh fish feces on which to thrive. The fish poop provides all of the nutrients needed

to feed the plants while the plants filter the harmful bacteria out of the fish water in a closed loop

cycle, meaning that all of the water is recirculated. A system can be created with fish tanks and

plants in which the primary input is fish food and the only output is fresh vegetables and edible

fish. The fish produce all of the nitrogen and some other nutrients however, in order to create an

optimum environment, some supplements such as Iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus must

be added manually.

An aquaponic system uses much less water than conventional agriculture and can

produce up to 10 times the crop yield. Japanese plant physiologist Shigeharu Shimamura

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converted an abandoned factory into the worlds largest indoor farm. At 25,000 square feet, the

farm can yield up to 10,000 heads of lettuce a day. Thats 100 times more per square foot than

traditional methods, and uses 99 percent less water usage than outdoor fields.[9] This is a

perfect example of where urban farming can be applied to help people as this growhouse was

built in response to food shortages after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster. Aquaponics

systems also require much less maintenance than both hydroponics and conventional farming

because less nutrients need to be manually added and there is no soil or fertilizer necessary. By

eliminating the need for large expanses of fertile land, these along with other factors make it an

unmatched solution to efficient food production. If every person could live on a diet of fresh fish

meat and organic vegetables, it would solve many problems.

The question now is how we might actually be implemented in order to improve our

agricultural system. The answer is not only to buy locally sourced foods but also in developing

urban farming. Much of our produce, meats and other foods come from miles away, but

supporting local food movements has a mutually beneficial effect. Local organic food is fresher

and contains more nutrients for your family, and greatly benefits the local economy. As stated in

an article published by Utah State University, On average, it is estimated that buying local

keeps approximately 65% of your dollar within the community, whereas shopping at large chain

stores keeps only 40%. Unfortunately for many people, even in communities with good local

food movements, the prices are much too expensive. By implementing systems such as hydro

and aquaponics, local growers can grow produce crops at twice the speed, in a smaller space, and

with up to 10 times the yield. If the supply of local food is increased along with the demand,

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prices will go down and producers will continue to make money. The supply can be increased by

constructing high efficiency systems and the demand will go up as a result of advertising for

farmers markets, local food carts and the farms themselves. Once there is more production of

local foods, farmers markets can be held more frequently, in locations closer to peoples homes,

with a greater variety of fresh foods at a lower price. If local farmers can get within reach of

producing the same amount of meat and vegetables as the industry, big corporations will be

forced to either invest in improving their products and decreasing their harm to the environment,

or severely lower their prices.

You might now be wondering why people will jump on board with local food movements

if theres no monetary benefit. This is where urban farming comes into play and may be the final

step to creating a sustainable agriculture solution. People all over the world are beginning to

grow food in the middle of cities using a wide variety of systems. From large indoor hydroponic

facilities to personal backyard gardens, revolutionary agriculture enthusiasts are building a

solution. When you think of urban farming, you might picture a fancy greenhouse on the roof of

an office building or a big warehouse for indoor growing. Im thinking of urban farming on the

smallest possible scale, in households with any budget, in any location. If people can be inspired

by growing their own healthy food, they will purchase more healthy items to make meals with.

My team and I have designed an aquaponics system that is not only extremely efficient and easy

to operate, but can be scaled to fit in any space. Depending on the individual situation,

considering climate conditions and growing needs, our system can easily be built in a

greenhouse, left outdoors or simply set up in front of a window in the house. These small

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systems will help people understand the amount of healthy food that can be grown in a small

area, without the need for pesticides, chemicals, soil or farming equipment. The idea behind the

personal aquaponics system is not that you can grow all of your own food, but that it inspires

people and connects them to the local food community. Once more people can recognize and

understand the possibilities and advantages of growing and eating locally farmed food, they will

continue to help build a healthy food movement.

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Works Cited

[1] PSEP :: Fact Sheets :: Modern Agriculture: Its Effects on the Environment. N.p., n.d. Web.

18 Apr. 2017.[9] Chow, Lorraine. "5 Ways Vertical Farms Are Changing the Way We

Grow Food." Eco Watch. N.p., 10 Mar. 2015. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

[2] Vitousek, Peter M., John Aber, Robert W. Howarth, and Gene E. Likens. Ecology. Danbury,

CT: Grolier, 2004. Esa.org. 1 Nov. 1997. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

[3] "Pesticides." Everythingconnects.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

[4] Trautmann, Nancy M., Keith S. Porter, and Robert J. Wagenet. PSEP :: Fact Sheets ::

Modern Agriculture: Its Effects on the Environment. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

[6] "Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 14 Apr.

2017. Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

[7]Reay, Dave. "Methane Sources - Rice Paddies." Methane - Rice. Greenhouse Gas Online, n.d.

Web. 18 Apr. 2017.

[8] Schiller, Lindsey, and Marc Plinke. The Year-round Solar Greenhouse: How to Design and

Build a Net-zero Energy Greenhouse. Gabriola, BC: New Society, 2016. Print.

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