WHAT ARE SHIFTING

BASELINES?
HOW IS IT RELATED TO
ORGANIC AND
CONVENTIONAL FARMING?
Shifting baselines are the chronic, slow, and
hard-to-notice changes in things. The lack of
knowledge is increasing between people that will
eventually cause the future generations to see the
abnormal as normal and adapt to it like nothing
happened (Olson, 2002).

REFERENCES
For more information and a list of references for
this brochure, please visit:
organicvsconventionalfarming2018.weebly.com

By:

Geryka Fortunato

Ximena Cuevas

Kim Danh

Grace Short

An example would be the shifting baselines in

organic and conventional farming.

(There are so many layers about farming

that people arent aware of)

Date of publication

In the 1900s, farming was done through simple

machine and horses. By the early 20th century,
farmers raised crops and cared for animals.
Farmers planted their own corn, oats, and wheat
while women planted vegetables with no
chemicals or pesticides (Animal Smart, n.d.).
Throughout the 20th century, machines such as
tractors and other motorized equipment began to
develop to help with field work. This is due to the
increase of population making the demands for
food hectic and higher. This way, the farmers are
able to work in more land and grow more food.
Each year, farms grew in size and started
implementing Nutrient Management Plans,
which helps keep track of how waste is used as
fertilizer (Animal Smart, n.d.).

Fifty
Shades of
Farming

Before

KEARNY SCT
1954 Komet Way
San Diego, California

After

WHAT ARE THE

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS?
Organic Farming:
Conserves water and prevents soil
degradation (Sustainable table, n.d.)
Prohibits use of pesticides and
fertilizers = less pollution (Mayo
Clinic Staff, 2014)

Rejection of synthetic agrochemicals,

irradiation and genetically
engineered foods/ingredients
(L.E.A.F., n.d.)

Conventional Farming:
(THE IMAGE ABOVE LIST S CHEMICA LS/INGREDIE NTS
USED IN CONVE NTIONAL - FARMED AND ORGA NIC- FARMED
STRAWBERRIES)

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN ORGANIC AND
CONVENTIONAL FARMING?
Organic farming is a type of farming
that is done using natural resources.
Natural methods of crop and weed control
are being used by farmers. Farmers arent
allowed to use synthetic or inorganic
chemicals.
(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014)
Conventional farming is the complete
opposite, farmers use synthetic chemicals
fertilizers and pesticides to speed up the
process of growing. This causes damage to
the soil, which conventional farming does
not focus on enhancing.
(Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014)

Artificial fertilizers and herbicides

are washed away from the soil and
into the rivers and lakes (HDRA

HOW IS YOUR HEALTH

IMPACTED?
Conventional Farming:
Severe skin rashes and headaches
occur to people as a result of using
chemical pesticides
Poisoning due to pesticide coating on
our fruits and vegetables
(HDRA Organization, n.d.)

Organic Farming:
Products doesnt contain preservatives
and arent genetically modified
(Epipheo, 2014)

Contains more nutrients such as

vitamin C, zinc and iron (Lippert, 2011)

Organization, n.d.)

Chemicals destroy organisms = poor

soil structure and decreased
nutrients (HDRA Organization, n.d.)
Contributes to air and water
pollution (L.E.A.F., n.d.)

WHAT ARE SOME

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS?
Use all natural fertilizers to prevent
harming the process of growth of
crops and for safer, cleaner food
Eat more organic produce and
maintain the environment clean from
chemicals
Decrease amount of agricultural
businesses to prevent harmful effects
Plant your own garden more
natural food consumed