National Geographic Magazine - NGM.com This chart shows up the dangerous loss of genetic diversity to our food crops. In 80 years of corporate farming we have lost about 93% of the varieties grown in 1903. Just imagine the colors and flavors of the vegetables that were available to our grandmothers that we no longer have access to. Before the advent of industrialized farming where everything must be exactly the same size shape and color, people ate in a much more diverse way. Before the widespread use of electric refrigeration our ancestors had special varieties of food crops that were best for certain uses, for fresh eating, for storing away in a root cellar, for keeping well in the field overwinter, for canning, for pickling. That is why I try to buy and grow heirloom varieties whenever possible, to keep our diverse agricultural heritage alive. Adopt some heirloom fruits or veggies this next growing season, save some seeds and pass them along to your friends and neighbors, buy local and organic whenever you can, keep your small farmer or market gardener in business. Good for your health, good for the economy, good for the Earth!
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI keep telling folks the same thing. I had a great organic heirloom garden back when I lived where I could have a garden. I'm looking forward to having that again this coming year. :-)And you're so right. All the colors, the flavors, the amazing keepers and the amazing vitamins and nutrients those foods had are lost to almost everyone. It's so sad and I think the best thing we can do is commit to growing some, if not all, heirloom varieties.
Love this post about the loss of crop diversity. Most people just don't seem to be aware of this issue, or care. I write about the same issues, sometimes in my blog, and sometimes in my newspaper column at the Huntington Beach Independent. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tragedy that hasn't gotten enough attention! I shared this a few months ago and thank you for sharing it here!
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