blog entry # 6

Blog Entry #6: What was your overall opinion of ECHO? Did anything in particular stand out? How do the examples that were showcased compare to your view of "American" agriculture? Do you feel that their work is relevant to the developing world? What is "appropriate technology"? Would you be interested in performing your service learning with this agency? Why or why not?

I thought ECHO was a great place. I loved the animals although I feel some of them could have been in better living conditions. I thought it was cool how the ducks fed the tilapia who in turn can feed people. The "mountain" was pretty cool, i wish we could have seen what all was on it. The thing that stood out the most to me was probably the Miranga leaves because our guide was so excited about them and talked about them for a long time! Most of the things we learned about had to do with feeding people in other countries with the different ways to grow crops and whatnot. It didnt really fit in with "american" agriculture as i understand it to be. Their work is relevant to the developing world as long as they go do missionary work and bring some supplies over there and show the people how to build the "appropriate technology". Appropriate technology is machines and such that you can build with minimal supplies found in most places around the world. I would not be interested in performing my service learning with this agency, mainly because it was super hot out there, and i tend to get dehydrated and faint easily.

blog entry # 5

Blog Entry #5: What are the major elements of "sustainable" farming? How are ecological principles woven into this framework? Do you buy organic or "naturally" labeled foods? Why or why not? Do you feel connected or disconnected to the current food system? If there were space on campus, would you be interested in growing your own vegetables (or, if the thought of vegetables makes you wince, fruit instead)?

The major elements of sustainable farming include, but are not limited to: Conservation and preservation - recycling used materials, preserving natural resources, etc. Biodiversity - crops are rotated around the fields to enhance the soil and prevent disease spreading. Chemicals are used only when necessary, and only the ones that are approved for "sustainable" farms. Animal Welfare - Animals are treated better at sustainable farms, allowed to roam and graze naturally. Socially just- Workers are treated fairly in pay, benefits, safety, and housing. Ecological principles are woven in through every aspect of sustainable farming, through conservation and preservation, and animal and human welfare. I do not buy organic food, however I do buy greenwise chicken, when I want a full chicken to cook because they have smaller chickens, and I don't cook for very many people, and their chickens have the gizzards and everything already pulled out and cleaned up inside. So, it takes some nasty steps out of preparing a chicken. I do feel a bit out of the loop in the current food trends with everyone trying to buy organic and eat "healthy", I don't care what I eat as long as it tastes good. I wouldnt mind growing my own food, my family used to grow our own vegetables in Michigan and we made an amazing salsa from them. We also grew raspberries which were great to just go out and eat. We had neighbors who grew great watermelon. So, I really wouldnt mind growing my own food at school if there was room for it, I just would have to take the extra time out of my day to take care of it.

Blog Entry 4

I believe the most pressing environmental issue facing the world today is loss of natural land and animals. Everywhere around the world people are tearing down natural land to build skyscarpaers, condos, and universities. The land they are destroying is not only messing with our own health, by destroying resources vital to our own survival, but it is also destroying animals. There are tons of endangered, and threatened animals out there, many of which people dont even care about. I am not against hunting, i think its fine, people can do what they want, but i am against killing for no reason. There are tons of people who hunt just to kill and leave these animals there. There are also people who just dont care that we are losing entire species, because they dont know of their importance to our survival. If you kill off one little tiny bug, it will effect the entire food chain. People dont realize this, they think "oh its a bug who cares", but there are other species that rely on that bug for survival, and if its gone, they will be too, and there predator, and so on until it reaches the top of the food chain and we run out of animals to prey on. Which by the time that happens, we will already have killed off all of our natural agricultural food. If i was given 100 billion dollars to use on the environment, i would use probably 60% of it on preserving land and animals, and use the rest accordingly with other issues.

Blog Entry 3

Corkscrew Field trip.

Diferent ecosystems I saw on this trip included, swamp, prairie, and wooded land. The different areas provide different resources to all the species that surround that area. The trees provide shade, and the swamp provides water. The living machine was very interesting. Id never even heard of one, or knew they existed. I think it is amazing that some corporations even use them at their corporate structures as a way to conserve energy. Conservation is the saving and preserving of natural resources and wildlife, while stweardship is how we manage our resources. Many non-profits provide ways to help ensure the preservation and conservation of the worlds eco-systems and wildlife. Many of which, also provide knowledge and education to people on how they can help as well. People who are knowledgable of these organizations and what they are doing, can help out in their own community and make a difference on their own. Civic engagement is very important in the preservation of our environment. The audobon society chose this acreage to save plume birds, and made a huge impact in their survival, without this property and the society, they may have been hunted to extinction. Government plays their part in providing assistance to non-profits when needed. Bulldozing and building condos would help with the housing market since so many people are always moving to florida, however, we need preservation areas in order to keep on surviving. If we were to bulldoze the area, many animals would lose their homes, and many important agricultural species would be ruined and change the surrounding ecosystems.

Blog entry #2

Your musings on the campus trail walk and the selection of this site for the FGCU campus. Is it consistent with the “eco-empowerment” mission of the university? Or is it entirely incompatible? Why or why not? Does your particular background predispose you to a certain viewpoint?

I think the campus trail walk was a good experience, our professor taught us many things about the different plant and bug life we saw on the walk. Our guide, however, was so infatuated with these southeast asia orchids that she didn't do much guiding and didn't even need to be there. If our professor was not an agricultural expert, we would not have learned anything from this trip. As for the site for FGCU, i think its a bit hypocritical for them to be so eco-oriented and yet tear up wetlands to build our school. However, this area is mostly wetlands and it is hard to find a big area for a school without running into some issues. I do think it is a good thing that the campus is built here instead of some mall or condos, because they have promised to leave a certain percentage untouched... which some corporate structure may not have been so willing to do. I'm not sure if this is consistent with the eco-empowerment mission of the university, i can tell they are trying, which is why we all have to take this course, but im not sure if i am qualified to make that decision.. I don't know everything that is said or done with the school. My background makes me practical, it makes me uncertain as to what the university is doing or has done to be eco-friendly. Many people just believe what they are told, and i have learned to second guess things and not just believe everything the tv and news tell you.

Blog entry #1

What are your expectations for this class? In your own words, what is sustainability? How does sustainability (or ecological sense of place) relate to your chosen field of study? Can you identify any personal behaviors and/or attitudes that are unsustainable?

My expectations for this class are to learn more about the local environment and to get a grasp on certain issues facing our society and environment today. I also expect to get some service learning hours, since it is a requirement. Sustainability is how we try to use our resources in a well managed way so we do not run out of vital goods. Sustainability relates to my field of study (marketing/advertising) because of two reasons. One, trying to make a business look good with the "green" initiative. Many advertising campaigns recently have been dealing with trying to let the public know how your company is helping the environment. Another way my field of study relates is with internet marketing. With everything going viral, and all the buzz about web 2.0, with facebook, twitter, and youtube.. many companies are starting to use new means of advertising through those websites, which leaves less posters and billboards and other materials that require paper and wood, which means less trees are being cut down! My personal behaviors that are unsustainable would be leaving lights on when i leave the house, which i do on purpose because i don't like to leave my dogs in the dark.