Lloyd 1 Megan Lloyd Introduction Attention Getter: 7.5 Billion. This is the number of people approximately on the planet. A planet we share, live, and unfortunately are hurting, together. For a number, so large, we must find ways of growing and feeding the masses of people we have, a number which is expected to continue growing. As well as, lowering the emissions and other pollutions which come with transporting said produce. For this reason, Hyper-local farming has become a popular trend. However, this new way of bringing food closer to people, may have some negatives of its own, and by this, I mean‌ Proposition (overall argument): Hyper-local farming could potentially be more detrimental to the environment than helpful Credibility Statement: I have from a young age been taught to respect the planet we inhabit, and have tried to help support green movements in any way I can. Everything from recycling, trash pickups and school gardening. Preview: So, for the next few minutes, I would like to inform you on this newest trend, and how it may not be the perfect solution some are making it out to be. Transition to Body: So, what is Hyperlocal Farming? Body
I. Hyperlocal farming, or indoor farming, is growing plants inside a building, such as a warehouse or restaurant. A. In some cases, the buildings are abandoned and repurposed into growing facilities. This is said to help save land, and bring food closer to consumers so emissions from transportation are downgraded further than they are with just simple, local farming. B. They utilize Led lighting, heaters, and water pumps to grow food inside. In most cases eliminating sun exposure completely. C. There are some companies who specialize in h-l farming. Such as Freight Farmers. A group who repurposes train freights into growing compartments. As it says on the about page of their website.
1.
By decentralizing the food supply chain and bringing production closer to consumers, Freight Farms is drastically reducing the environmental impact of traditional agriculture and empowering any individual, community or organization to sustainably grow fresh produce year-round, no matter their location, background or climate. (The About Page of Freightfarms.com.) http://www.freightfarms.com/company/
1
Lloyd 2
2. They grow food year-round, and claim to be helping the environment by growing food in 100% Artificially lit freight containers. The same concept can be seen in warehouses and restaurants across north America which grow through use of all artificial lighting. Transition: How can this be bad? II.
Although Hyperlocal farming sounds like a great idea. It is highly inefficient. A. The cost is enormous. 1. Several articles have hinted at prices for construction alone being in the upper tens of thousands of dollars. 2.
Not to mention electric cost, water cost, soil nutrients, heaters.
B. Companies and advocators say this will help in the fight to stop hunger, but the produce cost more than what most families can afford. 1. As said in Local food is great, but can it go too far, and article by Jonathan Foley 12 Sept, 2016 “the Wall Street Journal reports that mini-lettuces grown by Green Line Growers costs more than twice as much as organic lettuce available in most stores.” (Less than Biased source) a) This limits the people who can buy these products. Which is counter-productive to companies whose missions are to provide food to the masses. C. One of the big supports is the reduction of CO2 emissions since there is no need to transport, this isn’t necessarily true. 1. Since the plants in most cases have no access to sunlight, special Magenta Led lights are used. 2.
These Lit systems produce large emissions of CO2. a) Michael Hamm Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, Michigan State University The buzz around indoor farms and artificial lighting makes no sense 10 April 2015 “In a 2008 study on crop product flown into New York, the authors found that transporting lettuce across the US produced 0.70 kg of CO2 per kg. Yet, according to Albright’s calculations, 100% artificially lit systems would produce about 3.95kg of CO2 per kg lettuce for the lighting – more than five times greater.”
2
Lloyd 3 (1) These numbers are astounding. By trying to eliminate the need to transport, we are creating more CO2 than was originally being made.
Transition: Is there a way to make it better? III.
Although it is flawed, this is still a revolutionary idea, which can be improved over time. A. It is true we need to get food closer to home, however, we do not need to negate our one true power source. The sun B. Examples given for more substantial and efficient alternatives by Michael Hamm, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, Michigan State University The buzz around indoor farms and artificial lighting makes no sense 10 April 2015 “field level tunnels that keep crops from frost kill in the early spring and late fall; unheated high tunnels that use only solar capture to produce crops year-round in colder climates; and greenhouses with heat and supplemental light for a full 12-month production of a wider range of crops.” 1. These do not rely on 100% artificial light, and are ideas which could prove valuable. C. The idea of Hyper-local farming is still an infant idea, only being brought into substantial practice over the last few years. There are still things we do not know about this practice, and only time can tell what improvements can be made to the system itself. Conclusion I.
Signal End: This planet is all we have, there is no backspace to eliminate the destruction we have already caused. II. Review: Hyper-local farming is not the worst idea, although it has some major flaws in terms of efficacy and emissions. it can be built on to become better. III. Call to Action / clincher: So, why don’t we take a stand to help fix what we can, and educate the generations upon generations which follow us, so our children, and their children afterwards, can have a place worth calling home. References "About Us." Freight Farms. N.p., 2017. Web. 18 Feb. 2017. http://www.freightfarms.com/company/ Foley, Jonathan. "Local Food Is Great, but Can It Go Too Far?" Ensia. N.p., 12 Sept. 2016. Web. 18 Feb. 2017. https://ensia.com/voices/local-food-not-always-environmentallysustainable/ (Less than Biased Article) Hamm, Michael. "The Buzz around Indoor Farms and Artificial Lighting Makes No Sense." Sustainable Food. Guardian News and Media, 10 Apr. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/apr/10/indoor-farming-makesno-economic-environmental-sense
3
Lloyd 4 Stuff I left out The LGM costs $85,000 (prices vary internationally). These are the upcycled freights for freight farmers. Freight Farmers sells Internationally, that’s not exactly sticking to local. Most of these Hyperlocal farms are not capable of successfully growing fleshy or stalky products. Such as wheat and corn, which require wind to help grow. The amount of food sustained in most hyper-local locations is limited. The quantities do not stack up.
Speech writing tip: As I read my outline out loud, I go back and delete things and make my points sound more colloquial (common, everyday language) – easy to digest. I try to repeat for the sake of reminding my audience what I just said, but I try not to be needlessly wordy with my ideas, such that they seem repetitive and “unkempt” – (or unedited). Be lean and mean. I often start to substitute with more contractions (won’t; can’t; doesn’t)
4