Research Paper on the Importance of Agriculture
Brendan Andrews
Mrs. Pearce/ PreAP English II
Research Paper
9 May 2016
How Agriculture Affects the Society We Live In
Society today has gotten just about as far from its roots as is physically possible. We have forgotten all about the roots which brought us here in the first place, agriculture. Though agriculture sustains almost every industry known to man in some form or fashion, from the fabrics of the fashion industry, to the demand for metal and oil from the mining industry, people now more often than not fail to grasp the breadth of agriculture and have ways in which it impacts us. In order to understand how our society functions, one must first understand how agriculture has caused our population to explode in number, sustained the world economy, and where agriculture may take us in the near future.
To study the impact of agriculture on the world’s economy we’re going to look at a small piece of the world which is one of the world’s leading agricultural exporters. According to the USDA’s official website, agriculture contributes about $835 billion to the U.S. economy every year. This is about 5 percent of the total GDP (the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period) which is a small portion, but still extremely sizeable in sizeable in impact. By comparison, investopedia.com reports that the next top agricultural producers are the Netherlands at $79 billion, Germany at $70.8 billion, France with $68 billion, and Brazil coming in with $55.4 billion. The Agriculture industry also employs a large number of American workers in order to produce it’s yearly haul of goods. According to a report done by the United States Department of Agriculture, there are currently over 3 million farmers working from dawn to dusk in order to produce the food that the world so desperately needs. Though this is a large and very respectable number, there is a problem with it. The average age of American farmers continues to get older and older. In 1947 the average farmer was aged near fifty years old, but now, the average American farmers is just over 65 years old, an increase of nearly 17%. There is a growing number of young people working in agriculture though. In 2009 it was reported by the United States Department of Labor that nearly 720,000 people under the age of 20 were employed either on family farms, or an unrelated employer’s farm. If this number can continue to grow, Americans may see the youngest generation of farmers ever within the next 50 years, but this will not happen unless kids are shown that there are a multitude of careers within agriculture by organizations like the FFA and 4H.
Along with this, the world’s population continue to grow at an impressive rate. Expected to nearly double by the year 2050 according to The Worldwatch Institute, the Earth’s people continue to prosper ever faster despite the fact that their sustaining fuel, food and water, are given less and less land to be cultivated on every day.The Worldwatch Institute also maintains that, as knowledge and technology within agriculture advance, the world’s population has been able to grow at a rate of 1.3% per year for the last 45 years, meanwhile the amount of land available to grow food has remained virtually the same. This is due to the fact that of the “13 billion hectares of land on the Earth, cropland accounts for 11 percent, pastureland 27 percent, forested land 32 percent, and urban lands 9 percent.” The rest of the land on the Earth is deemed “unsuitable” for agriculture because “the soil is too infertile or too shallow to support plant growth, or the climate and region are too cold, dry, steep, stony, or wet.”, reports The Worldwatch Institute.
From this information, it can be concluded that agriculture plays a vital role in the development of human society. From sustaining large shares of the world’s economies, to sustaining a rapidly increasing population, agriculture is the backbone of life as we know it today. Without it, humans would still be simple nomads roaming the plains of the world and being dictated by the whims of mother nature, or we very well could have all died off by now. Thankfully though, we do not for certain know the answer to this question because we have been blessed with the knowledge of how to grow and sustain populations of plants and animals, and how to harvest them in a manner that keeps us alive.
The Importance of Seeing Situations From Another Person’s Point of View
Imagine a world without war. All the nations are at peace, humanity has moved on to entirely renewable resources and people are happier than ever. One of the biggest problems in our world today is people being ignorant of each other’s struggles. If humans would learn how to simply be less selfish and see conflicts from another person’s point of view, all of the world’s major issues and conflicts would be resolved and people would be happier than ever.
If the world’s leaders took another look at issues and tried to see things through each other’s eyes, all of the conflicts of the past would have never even come to fruition, and the conflicts we now faced would be entirely abolished. Take for instance the brutal persecution of Jewish people by the Nazi regime. All of the atrocities that took place in the second World War would never have reached the level they did if even one gritty, grey clad Nazi soldier had asked himself, “What if they were me?”. The same goes for all of the disagreements and conflicts that now face the middle east. The Israel-Palestine conflict, the Muslim-Jewish conflicts… every single tiny fight that manifests its ugly head would not be a twinkle in the eye of the world if common folk and world leaders alike would simply learn to walk a mile in each other’s shoes.
In more domestic terms, much of society’s unrest stems from people simply being ignorant of what each person’s unique struggle and feelings are like. Consider, for example, Nora and Helmer’s relationship in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. The key conflict of this late 1800’s drama is Torvald Helmer never being able to see why his wife, Nora, behaves or does things in the way she does. When Nora was simply trying to save her husband’s life, she took out a loan. However, when Torvald finds out about this he is absolutely furious, and threatens to kick Nora out of house. If Torvald would have simply tried to see things from his wife’s point of view he would have realized that this strident reaction was entirely unnecessary, because she was simply trying to save his life. On a slightly different note, racism is still rearing it’s ugly head all throughout our country. In this day and age, such a trivial issue should in no way be any form of a problem in our society, because the solution is so obvious and simple that any person with half a brain could figure it out. All it takes is one person stopping before he treats a person differently based on their skin color and asks himself, “Would I want to be treated like this?”. Solving all of society’s equality issues really is as simple as this.
Now in conclusion, whether a person is white or black, male or female, it is important to see things from another person’s point of view. Simply because almost 100% of all the issues that have ever presented themselves in the world would have never happened if people could simply see the world from another person’s point of view.
Imagine a world without war. All the nations are at peace, humanity has moved on to entirely renewable resources and people are happier than ever. One of the biggest problems in our world today is people being ignorant of each other’s struggles. If humans would learn how to simply be less selfish and see conflicts from another person’s point of view, all of the world’s major issues and conflicts would be resolved and people would be happier than ever.
If the world’s leaders took another look at issues and tried to see things through each other’s eyes, all of the conflicts of the past would have never even come to fruition, and the conflicts we now faced would be entirely abolished. Take for instance the brutal persecution of Jewish people by the Nazi regime. All of the atrocities that took place in the second World War would never have reached the level they did if even one gritty, grey clad Nazi soldier had asked himself, “What if they were me?”. The same goes for all of the disagreements and conflicts that now face the middle east. The Israel-Palestine conflict, the Muslim-Jewish conflicts… every single tiny fight that manifests its ugly head would not be a twinkle in the eye of the world if common folk and world leaders alike would simply learn to walk a mile in each other’s shoes.
In more domestic terms, much of society’s unrest stems from people simply being ignorant of what each person’s unique struggle and feelings are like. Consider, for example, Nora and Helmer’s relationship in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”. The key conflict of this late 1800’s drama is Torvald Helmer never being able to see why his wife, Nora, behaves or does things in the way she does. When Nora was simply trying to save her husband’s life, she took out a loan. However, when Torvald finds out about this he is absolutely furious, and threatens to kick Nora out of house. If Torvald would have simply tried to see things from his wife’s point of view he would have realized that this strident reaction was entirely unnecessary, because she was simply trying to save his life. On a slightly different note, racism is still rearing it’s ugly head all throughout our country. In this day and age, such a trivial issue should in no way be any form of a problem in our society, because the solution is so obvious and simple that any person with half a brain could figure it out. All it takes is one person stopping before he treats a person differently based on their skin color and asks himself, “Would I want to be treated like this?”. Solving all of society’s equality issues really is as simple as this.
Now in conclusion, whether a person is white or black, male or female, it is important to see things from another person’s point of view. Simply because almost 100% of all the issues that have ever presented themselves in the world would have never happened if people could simply see the world from another person’s point of view.
The Effects of Cell Phones On Modern Society
The year is 2015, and a lone homo-sapiens finds himself in the jungle without aid… and in serious danger. He was out collecting food when all of the sudden a vicious roar ripped through the humid air. This simple human never returned home that evening, and his family died of starvation. But fortunately, humans have managed to advance past this miserable stage of existence and now posses the technology to call for help in time of emergency, and coordinate faster across the globe so that we might move forward thanks to a handy little device called the cellular phone.
In this day and age cell phones allow us to call for help, even when another human is many miles away. For example, The happy-go-lucky tourist named Bob in his floral print shirt and flip-flops is driving through the desert when, BAM! The engine in his dust covered jeep dies in a puff of smoke, and he is now left to his own devices in the middle of a sun baked, gritty nowhere. Perhaps this now miserable-go-unlucky man will be alright after all, but much to his sweat drenched horror, his water is gone. At this sullen point, Bob, now hot, sweaty, and reeking of body odor, is desperate for a so called life line. But then he starts to think… his cell phone!! With his trusty little device the unlucky tourist will go on to live a long and happy life full of misadventures. In this way, cell phones have greatly lengthened the lifespan of the average human, and now allows foolhardy tourists to not die ridiculous and excruciating deaths. For without his cell phone, poor Bob would have been left to mummify under the intense heat of the desert sun. But his cell phone saved his life… luckily for him he had signal.
However great they are as a life saving device, cellular phones have allowed humans to develop quickly in other ways as well. For instance, allowing hard working business people to coordinate quickly on a global scale to push through important transactions and to forge crucial partnerships for the better of the consumer. Picture this, a worn out, turn of the century business man. He is sitting in his tobacco scented wood panelled office wondering how in the world he can meet with his Shanghai business partners now that his boat out of New York has been cancelled… Alas! If only there were some way to speak face-to-face from his office. With the creation of cellphones this once impossible feat is now not only possible but it is quite nearly blasé, and the deal that the businessman was able to make with his Shanghai partners prevented the stock market from crashing once again, and therefore prevented another global depression.
In conclusion, cell phones are truly a great aid to human society. They allow sweaty tourists to call for help, and give somewhat grouchy businessman the opportunity to save the human race many years of setback due to another depression.
I Am Me
I am more than just a pale face
the ghost of generations past,
I am not.
And neither am I my upbringing,
or any of the things that
anyone else might be.
I am me.
Not perfect,
nor beautiful,
But I am,
in my own
special way.
I am like a book.
A book is like me.
Waiting to be filled
from cover to cover
with all the universe
sees fit to gift the likes of me
I am the universe’s
Encyclopedia Britannica.
The amalgamation of
all the many years it has taken
me
to be
me
Hard and leathery outer shell,
soft and tear-able,
vulnerable on the inside.
I am a work of nature’s progress,
the stars the author,
my mind and body the paper.
Under this pale face are the pages of
a cosmic book,
a work in progress.
Beautiful in it’s own way,
it is titled,
Me.
How Difficult Times Strengthen Relationships
Who doesn’t have a friend that has been there for them through good times and bad? Like in Elie Wiesel’s “Night”, the young boy collides with several people who stick with him through his terrible time in the concentration camp, like his father Shlomo, and the twins Tibi and Yossi. Almost everyone has a friend similar to these, and the heart-breaking, end-of-the-world times are the ones that bring such relationships closer together. Truly, difficult times help people form lifelong friendships, and strengthen the relationships that one might already enjoy.
Difficult times often form friendships that last a lifetime, or two. A perfect but fictional example of the tough-as-nails bond that difficult times form is the one Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi share. The pair enjoy a relationship that truly is truly mystical and wild, and was formed when the younger Luke was at one of his lowest points. When the misguided teenager by the surname of Skywalker wandered into a two-sun drenched desert to find his runaway robot, he ends up indebted to Obi-Wan for saving his life after a group of sand people catch him unawares and viciously knock him unconscious. When young Skywalker returns to his Aunt and Uncle’s small sand hut he finds his home destroyed, nothing more than a flaming pile of rubble, with the charred corpses of his beloved Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen laying in the yard. When he feels almost crushed by sorrow, the bright light of Obi-Wan’s friendship and mentoring provides solace from this tragic disaster. Far from the sun soaked desert world known as Tatooine, there are other ways that difficult times form iron-clad relationships. For example, when someone seeks out a new-found friend to help guide them in the face of looming despair. Most people realize that a friend who wants to help when they are at their worst is a friend they should keep around. As such, people together during difficult times often form friendships that prove to be tougher than diamonds, long of life, and as enjoyable as gazing at the stars on a clear, cool night.
However, just as difficult times form friendships they also strengthen the relationships that people already enjoy with others. Being somebody’s immovable rock when the tides of life are battering that person’s will to be happy can strengthen relationships an indescribable amount. A wonderful example of this is when a person consoles a morose acquaintance at their dear loved one’s funeral. Being the one to provide a person comfort in a time of dire need can expose both parties to the gold of their respective hearts, and show them how beautiful their relationship truly can be. This is when genuine friendship is formed. On a different note, even grueling, gruesome, and grave fighting can strengthen those relationships that truly have the potential to succeed. Simply put, when a couple find themselves bickering, often times the harsh blows of each other’s words strip away all the pretensions and faults that led to this most lowest point. Truly, difficult times build up relationships just as much as the situation tries to tear those unions apart.
In conclusion, difficult times do not always destroy relationships, but often times form a sort of trial-by-fire, out of which comes relationships that are not only healthier than they were before but also much stronger.
1 Week Nutrition Plan, 6’2″, 200 lb man
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https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Px7sqs3-5KuuAP2l9f4-2g3FrqBIC3wVNCvSJnJOQ9w/pubhtml
Essential Amino Acids In Food
The 9 Essential Amino Acids: phenylalanine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, and histidine.
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Phenylalanine can be found in almost all foods with protein, and the artificial sweetener aspartame.
The best foods to find valine in are poultry, beef, lamb, veal/game etc., shellfish and vegetables.
Threonine can be found in beef, pork, lamb, and shellfish most readily.
Tryptophan is most common in poultry, pork, lamb and shellfish.
Methionine is found in highest quantities in shellfish, poultry, and beef.
Leucine in shellfish, beef and poultry.
Isoleucine, poultry and beef.
Lysine, also poultry and beef.
Histidine in beef and pork.