M6.4 Industrial Farming

I'm a city girl born and raised, which means that I am not a fan of dirt OR bees. However, through the two movies "Vanishing of the Bees" and "Dirt: The Movie", I learned exactly how beneficial they both are. Bee pollination contribute greatly to our agriculture, and can actually be quantified financially by the billions of dollars. Bees produce honey, pollen, tomatoes and fruits, among many others. However, the usage of pesticides are quickly and slowly killing the global bee population away. The Colony Collapse Disorder, where significant numbers of bees were missing, was a frightening period of time particularly for the agricultural population. While there was not one specific cause linked to the problem, the constant utilization of chemical pesticides most likely contributed to the Colony Collapse Disorder.

Dirt also brings up important points to the community contribution of dirt's decline. Industrial farming, poor agricultural practices, mining and constant urban development all hurt the earth. Dirt has multiple benefits, not just limited to helping grow the food we eat. Certain bacteria in the dirt help raise serotonin levels, and sometimes has been viewed as an antidepressant. The movie suggests composting to help solve part of the problem. I have never composted before, but I have friends who do so. The practice of composting sounds like a lot of work, and I had originally been deterred due to the concern of attracting bugs or smells. Perhaps after this movie, composting will be something that I attempt in the future.