My Impressions from the High School Workshop on Family Farming The Utah Mountain Forum showcased high school papers on the topic of family farming. The speakers gave great papers; all on very personal and problematic issues that affect family farming in Utah. Below are some personal favorite papers that I personally believe did a great job both presenting and expounding on their personal topics. One paper focused on the new predator, which is the Canadian Grey wolf. The speaker talked about how in 1995 a relocated and transport program was put in place to help save wolves. The program reintroduced 14 wolves into Yellowstone national park, and placed all wolves on the endangered species list. Putting the wolves on the endangered species list prevented anyone from hunting and killing the wolves, the program protected the wolves and allowed them a safe space to grow and multiply unchecked. Many thought this plan was foolproof and would provide the ecosystem of Yellowstone a new predator but the wolves grew much faster and spread farther than anyone thought. The plan was to take the wolves off the endangered species list when the wolves reached 30 breeding pairs and 300 wolves, but the wolves were never taken off the list until their numbers exceeded the original plan numbers. With so many wolves still protected under the endangered species list, they decimated the elk and deer population and also attacked rancher’s livestock, and did not allow for ranchers to fight back and save their livestock. The speaker presented figures such as 73 wolves were killed over livestock predation, and the fact that wolves don’t stop at just one animal financially hurt ranchers and their livelihoods. I personally agreed with the speaker that wolves when unchecked pose a threat to animal populations and ranchers livestock. Another paper that was a personal favorite was on the topic of food shortages and world hunger, and how in Utah we can promote healthier food and more family farming. The speaker brought up the great issue that we need to provide greater care and appreciation for our local farmers and organic food. Some starling figures she brought up were that the
United States and Australia were the only countries to not pledge to cut world hunger in half, and that over 14.9% of Americans does not have enough food to eat. Our food in America comes mostly from industrial farming, which provides a greater amount of food at a cheaper price, but allows harmful chemicals and pesticides on the food. The speaker also discussed America’s dependence on food stamps, and that people are not buying food that is good for them, rather buying junk food with their food stamps. This is a topic that is very prevalent to me, as I have personal health issues where I cannot eat any gluten, canned food, and sugary or fried foods. Recently I have had to buy all organic food, at first I couldn’t taste much of a difference but over time I can tell a difference between the organic food and the non-organic food. The only concern I personally have is that organic food is so much more expensive than mass produced foods. I wonder what are some ways that we can promote organic foods and make them more affordable for the middle class? The speaker addresses the issue that we need more family farms each producing a few items and sharing with each other, to promote healthy, and community grown food. Amber Hunsaker, UVU student