Human civilization has its roots in the early domestication of plants and animals nearly 10,000 years ago. Success in this endeavor led to drastic changes in how and where human beings lived; agriculture led humans from a nomadic existence to one based in permanent and semi-permanent settlements. It even changed how humans interacted with one another and how they interacted with the Earth.
The unprecedented growth in global population that occurred in the 20th century was made possible by the remarkable advances in agriculture, public health, and technology. The Green Revolution brought high-yield crops and advanced growing techniques to developing countries, improving nutrition and health in most parts of the world. Continued growth, however, will likely require more land to plant and water for irrigation, increasing pressure on habitats and natural resources.
Advanced agricultural methods have made it possible to grow more food on fewer acres of land, permitting some land to be returned to forest and other natural states. Yet, there are costs associated with high-yield methods, including a heavy reliance on pesticides and fertilizers. Runoff from agricultural lands affects the water quality of lakes and rivers. Erosion continues to be a serious environmental problem in the absence of preventative measures. And, irrigation ? required in many parts of the world ? can be a significant drain on water supplies in arid areas and, if improperly managed, can lead to a buildup of salt deposits, which can severely degrade soil quality.
The most critical challenge is to find ways to increase food production while minimizing environmental degradation. Considerable research in this and other countries has led to advanced methods to preserve soil and prevent erosion, including conservation tilling and computer-controlled application of pesticides, fertilizers, and water.
The use of pesticides and new types of genetic modification, or "genetic engineering," continue to be controversial. In order to reduce a reliance on pesticides, methods such as biocontrol (using other species to control pests), more sophisticated traditional breeding (DNA shuffling; marker recombination) to enhance positive traits, and using biotechnology to create pest-resistant crops are being tested. While biocontrol using naturally occurring and mutant species is generally accepted, especially by organic producers, the use of genetically modified biocontrol agents changed by DNA deletion or insertion of new traits are not accepted due to concerns about their potential impacts. Natural hybrids of species, though rare, are known, most notably, triticale, a highly nutritious cereal produced by crossing rye and wheat.
Agropolis Museum This French site contains virtual exhibitions of the history of food and agriculture, as well as the diversity of farming methods around the world. A special segment discusses how food supply, income, and cultural background all contribute to individual food choices.
Earthtrends: Agriculture and Food The World Resources Institute, a non-profit research organization, provides agricultural profiles for countries around the world, a searchable database of agricultural statistics, and articles about agricultural trends.
LAWS & TREATIES
2007 Farm Bill The official USDA Farm Bill website contains a section on the various proposals, including legislative language, fact sheets, and viewpoints.
International Fisheries Treaties Database There are a number of treaties that seek to regulate potential exploitation of the world's fisheries. The Internet Guide to International Fisheries Law lists the major initiatives and their status.
FOR THE CLASSROOM
Linking Food and the Environment This inquiry-based curriculum created by Teachers College of Columbia University provides biology education through investigations in the domain of food. [Grades 4-8]
Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century Created by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) in conjunction with educators from around the country, this curriculum features six activities to help students realize the challenge of feeding growing populations. [Grades 6-12]