The field and I

THE FIELD AND I Alison Rees . Ma Sustaianble Design . ADMO5 Studio One . Brighton University .

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Farming:

Pages

Introduction

6-7

Conatmination

8-11

Intensification

12-17

Production

18-21

Genaration

22-29

Consumption

30-33

References

34-37

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The Field and I Informed by the farming community at my home in rural South Wales, this Diorama presents a three-dimensional contextual review of the archetypal challenges and contradictions present in contemporary farming practices. The aim is to identify opportunities for design interventions that can bring improvements to farming practices that provide for the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.

Consumer demand for meat that is readily available and cheap has led to the mass industrialisation of meat farming. While intensive commercial farms can provide year-round availability of produce, the impacts of these practices are damaging in multiple complex ways. These include, for example, poor animal welfare caused by isolated living conditions and excessive use of antibiotics, loss of biodiversity, farming monocultures, unnecessary food waste, and cultural losses to farming communities.

The morality and ethics of animal farming are contested and contradictory. Debates are often polarising and overlook the subtleties, nuances and fundamental needs of farming practices. This project adopts the position that fundamental changes are needed to achieve agricultural practices that progress beyond basic sustenance to provide significant social, cultural and environmental benefits.

Contamination This derelict part of the landscape is severely damaged due to pollution from leakages of chemicals used in the abattoir and beef production plant.

It aims to illustrate the effect agricultural chemicals have on our environment. Hidden behind trees, the area comments on how little the direct awareness this has within our daily lives.

N e g l e c t

The signs of human activity include fly tipping and vandalism. Associating it with a feeling of destruction, a hint towards dystopia.

Artist Mishka Henner’s uses high resolution satellite imagery stitch together the effects of feedlots on the land.

“The meat industry is a subject loaded with a moral and ethical charge. But when I think of these pictures, I don't just see gigantic farms, I see an attitude toward life and death that exists throughout contemporary culture. These images reflect a blueprint and a horror that lie at the heart of the way we live.” Op-Ed, LA Times, Mishka Henner, Feedlots.1.

I d e n t i t y

This graffiti artist has direct reference to a change in attitudes towards the environmental impacts of agriculture in the farming community of my home.

A bus stop located on the main country road read “I love beef ” in yellow spray paint. Recently, the F had been altered to an S, reading “I love bees”.

Although the vandalism may at first be seen as a criminal act, it’s context is a display of positive change.2.

Intensification This model reflects the current methods used in intensive beef farming. These methods run on efficiency, maximising production in minimal time to ensure the demands of westernised diets, high in meat related products are met. We are now aware of the environmental impacts of this method of farming. As shown in the nine planetary boundaries diagram, intensive farming has played major roll in crossing into the high-risk zone, twice, for biodiversity loss and nitrogen and phosphorus flows.3,4,5.

H i g h w a y t o H e l l

There is only the one person, the manager, on this farm, dressed in high visibility, and safety equipment. On his phone to manage the business whilst loading cattle onto a lorry for slaughter, comments on the industrial aesthetic. To display the lack of emotional or empathy between the worker and the animals, whom are soon to see the end of their life, and a miserable one at that. For some animals this will be the only time they ever see daylight.

The cattle are calling as they being loaded, a sign of emotional pain and stress not empathised by the worker. This suggests how our emotional engagement of meat consumption is detached from intensive livestock production.6.

F e e d i n g Deforistation

These cattle are fed human edible grain of high protein soya. This demand for soy as animal feed is a key driver of deforestation. “UK nutritional guidelines recommend 45-55g of protein a day, the average UK consumption is 75g‌ largely indirectly through animal productsâ€? WWF, appetite for destruction.

Not only is soya responsible for deforestation but also high amount of green house gas emissions in production, transportation and delivery. Often the calorie intake from meat is less than the human edible grains used to produce it. Amongst this animals are given antibiotics to resist the unhygienic conditions they live in, contributing to our own resistance to such medication. 7.

C o n f i n e m e n t

As claimed by organisation Compassion in World Farming “industrial livestock production has no potential for providing satisfactory welfare�

Here cattle are confined to small, aligned space, thus allowing for maximum weight gain in short period. With little natural light and stood amongst their own excrement animal welfare is poor.

The productivity of such fast growth means that these animals often suffer painful health problems.

The intensification of one breed, although may most suited for production purposes, threatens the survival of other less desirable breeds and leaves the breed at a higher vulnerability to resistant bacteria. 8,9.

W h a t R u b b i s h

The environmental agenda is increasing amongst intensive farm practices. Many farms are now producing solar energy from the rooftops of buildings. The recycling bins near the main entrance of this farm hint towards these changes in environmental efforts.

Environment sectary Michael Gove put forward in his statement at the oxford real farming conference that a replacement of the current Basic Payment Scheme for UK land owners will be changed to Public Money for Public Goods, to support landowners making environmental efforts such as increasing biodiversity. 10.

Production This abattoir is inspired by a visit to an anonymous butcher with a group of local young farmers. Here is where the living animals are processed into products for consumption and production. Animals are stunned to become brain dead, in order for the slaughter to be carried out without pain.

Hygiene is vital at this stage meaning a high quantity of disinfectants and water supply is needed. Often contributing to the contamination of soils and water systems within the livestock industry.

11,12.

W a s t e H o u s e

The incinerator is used to burn the parts that are not utilized by other means. In an anonymous interview with a lady from Department of Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) the only animal parts not utilised are the brain and spinal cord.

UK scares such as mad cow disease have meant that many parts of animals are not used for meat cuts, but are instead incinerated for energy. The book PIG 05049 lists products made from a single pig, amongst some of the more unexpected results are ammunition, photo paper, chewing gum, cigarettes and even bio diesel. This poses opportunities for more innovative design methods that go beyond incineration. 13,14.

P r o t e s t

Here a peaceful protest is being carried out at the entrance to the abattoir.

The large Sign reads ‘LOVE AND PEACE’. Like most protests it aims to raise public awareness, in this case of the morality issues related to the livestock industry. This awareness is increasing; diets such as vegetarian and vegan are now well-established life choices amongst western consumerism. Its touches upon the social impact of the industry as we are becoming enlightened into such uncompassionate farming systems.

Delivering large amounts of meat from abattoir into the supermarkets each day. The size of the vehicle illustrates proportion of meat produced. Indirectly encouraging the viewer to think about the scale of animals moving through the abattoir.

Generation The generational family farm, an example of the current situation in small scale UK farming, based on personal experience. Modelled around the family network, it may appear an idyllic way of life, in which the landscape has been farmed for centuries. Its environmentally diverse, heritage plays a central role here, however a complex layer challenges face this farm, threatening the financial and social sustainability of its future. Small farms are often finding themselves unable to compete with the demands and cheap prices that intensive methods offer.

W a s t e N o t W a n t N o t

The animals on this farm are often fed waste food from the family such as vegetable peelings and bread. The chickens and pigs that produce free-range eggs and manure for the vegetables are living free range with minimum financial and emission inputs that soya feed would. Organisation Feed Back have recognises the advantages of this, currently running a campaign ‘What’s the Pig Idea?� This is working to use food waste as a means to feed pigs on intensive farms. It would mean less money spent on feed for higher-welfare pig farmers, and provide a waste disposal for food businesses, freeing up food supplies for human consumption.15.

F r i e n d s F o r L i f e

There is a strong emotional relationship build up between the farmer and the animals. The farmers understand the personalities of each of their animals, and often build up a close bond of trust, whilst understanding the end of this animal’s life will be for consumption and financial benefit. Its taught from an early age within a family farm. Here the young son is forced to guide away twin calves from their mother as she has been tested positive for possible TB. The local vet will be confirming an extermination of the cow, in which she will be taken for a post-mortem. TB testing is an intensely stressful time for farmers, as the results can be devastating emotionally and financially. The calves will be weaned and used to provide the farm shop with milk, butter and cheese.

L o c a l F a r m S h o p

The local farm shop, here you can pick your own vegetables and fruit. It is grown organically with manure from the chickens and pigs. The farm shop relies on seasonal produce, and this is also weather dependent for crop yields. Custom is sporadic. Mainly attracting a middle upper class part of society who are able to spare time and spend more on niche produce. The farm shop is currently working at a loss and in need of innovation if the farm is to continue its survival.

F l e d T h e S c e n e

The daughter is seen leaving the family farm to go travelling. As the family farm is working at a loss, and the daughters maturing understanding of the difficulties that choosing this way of life face have driven her decision to choose another path.

In an interview with young farmer Katie Court, she says “Older farming generations unwilling to pass the reins to the younger generations forcing them to find work else (sometimes out of the agricultural industry). They are unable to develop their own ideas to improve the business. Often when they eventually return to the farm it’s an uneconomical venture to begin improving the business due to poorly maintained infrastructure etc.� 16.

B i o d i v e r s e

This hillside is unsuitable for growing vegetation for human consumption. The sheep that graze it are generations of livestock that have been bred on this landscape. If the farm is sold, the flock stay as part of the land, no other livestock works this way and this is because they are bred to that particular habitat.

The methods of farming used here are kept within the farming community to sustain the old traditional methods of farming. The sheep are gathered five times a year, to ensure their maintenance; otherwise they are free to roam the hillside. In doing so they maintain the wildlife, and rare flower meadow, whilst providing the family and local community with wool, milk, cheese and lamb. 17.

L i f e O r D e a t h

Representation of a conservationist, shooting pigeons in a wild meadow.

The animals shot are often sold at the shop as sustainably sourced delicacy, after feeding the gunpersons and farmers family.

During a conservation shooting expedition into Sussex downs with gunman Ashab, he spoke of the environmental damage these birds have on farming methods practiced here.

He claims “A pigeon will eat enough grain to produce a loaf of bread, and there are over a million breading pairs in the UK, as well as this they are the one cause of the rapid decline in small native woodland birds too�

This amount of loss to a farm run on such scale can have destructive sustenance of the farms production and therefor survival. 18.

Consumption The urban landscape draws in the densely populated consumerism section of the meat industry. Well know supermarket Lidl is providing shoppers with cheap meat deals whilst Burger King provide the convenience of fast food, a widely recognised part of the western diet.

These services are available due to the production of intensive farming practices.

F a k e F a r m

To provide for the supply and demand of shoppers these stores do not generally support smaller scale farms. The supermarket industry is very competitive, and success often comes in their ability to undercut prices of competitors. This has fuelled the expansion of intensive farming methods in recent years.

Packaging can also be used to miss-lead consumers, The National Farmers Union (NFU) made a formal complain in 2017 to trading standards about the use of ‘Fake Farm’ labelling by supermarkets. Using British sounding names to label their produce that have been found to have no real existence. For consumers this portraits an idyllic British farm scene when the reality is somewhat different.19.

Ur b a n A g r i c u l t u r e

The urban area is home to the latest innovation methods of architectural developments in urban agriculture and green spaces.

One method becoming increasingly popular is that of vertical farming, incorporating methods of producing vegetation whilst reducing pollution. The ‘Farmscraper’ is inspired by Swedish architecture firm Plantagon, who are currently constructing a “World Food Building”, in the Swedish town of Linköping and is due to be completed in 2020. It plans to use latest hydroponic methods with robots maintaining its processes. Aiming to feed urban areas sustainable with a small footprint. These innovative methods could act as another threat to the survival of small scale traditional heritage of farming. 20,21.

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1.

Henner, Mishka. (2012-2013). Feedlots. Mishkahenner.com. Available at https://mishkahenner.com/ Feedlots. Accessed 15/12/17.

2.

Spotted: Gower. Timeline Photos (27/03/2017). Community Page. @spottedgower, Facebook. Available at https://www.facebook.com/gowerspotted/photos /a.600626176642385.1073741826.599331420105194/1377617378943257/?type=3&theater. Accessed 18/01/2018.

3.

Blanco-Penedo, I. Lopez-Alonso, R. Shore, M. Miranda, C. Castillo, J. Hernandez. “Evaluation of Organic Conventional and Intensive Beef Farm Systems: Health, Management and Animal Production”. Animal: An International Journal of Animal Bioscience 6. No. 9. 09/2012. 1503-11.

4.

Goddard, E. Boaitey, A. Hailu, G. Poon, K. 2016. “Improving Sustainability of Beef Industry Supply Chains”. British Food Journal. Vol. 118. Issue 6. Pp 1533-1552.

5.

Stevenson, Peter. (2017). Planet. Compassion in world farming “towards a flourishing food system”.

Page 8.

6.

Safina, Carl. 5/10/2017. Speaking at Livestock and Extinction Conference, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London. Recorded Audio.

7.

WWF. 2017. Appetite for Destruction, summary report. Food, Feed and Biodiversity. Page 7.

8.

Stevenson, Peter. (2017). Animals. Compassion in world farming “towards a flourishing food system”.

Page 9.

9.

European Food Safety Authority (2009). Scientific Opinion of the Panel on the Animal Health and Welfare on Request from European Commission on welfare of dairy cows. The EFSA Journal. 2009. 1143, 1-38.

10.

Carrington, D. 04/01/2018. Farmland could turn into Meadows after Brexit, says Michael Gove. The Gaurdian. Available https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/04/farmland-could-be-turned-into-meadows-post-brexit-says-michael-gove#comment-110403429. Accessed 05/01/2018.

11.

Rees, A. Phillips, H. 2012. How an abattoir system is run.

12.

Rees, A. Gower Young Farmers. Member 2007-2015.

13.

Rees, A. Anonymous. Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 23/12/2017.

14.

Meindertsma, C. 2008. Pig 05049, Book. Kunsthal, Rotterdam. Available http://www.christienmeindertsma.com/index.php?/books/pig-05049/.

15.

Feed Back. 2017. The Pig Idea. thepigidea@feedbackglobal.org. Available http://www.thepigidea.org.

16.

Rees, A. Court, K. 2017. Where do you feel the Future lies For Young Farmers Today?

17.

Kate Humble; Off The Beacon Track. 8/12/2017. Episode 2. Documentary. BBC. Available https:// www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09hdc21/kate-humble-off-the-beaten-track-series-1-episode-2.

18.

Rees, A. Ashab. 2017. Conservation Shoot to South Downs.

19.

Sheffeild, H. 24/03/2016. Tesco launches a range of products named after farms that don’t actually exist. Independent. Available http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/tesco-willow-boswell-rosedene-redmere-made-up-fictional-farms-a6949801.html. Accessed 27/01/2018.

20.

Jordahn, S. 15/01/2018. Plantagon designs office block contaianing 60-metere-high urban farm.

Available https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/15/video-skyscraper-plantagon-urban-farm-world-food-building-movie/. Accessed 27/01/2018.

21.

Dezeen x MINI Living. 16/01/2018. Dezeen. Available https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=j54XiSc-QRc.

Coronado Feeders, Dalhart, Texas (2012) Archival pigment print, 102x122cm / 150x180cm Mishka Henner

Alison Rees Ma Sustaianble Design ADMO5 Studio One Brighton University

Facebook: @alisonreesfarmtoforkfeedingsustainably Instagram: @alisonreesdesigns Email: ali.rees@hotmail.co.uk