Hence far, I have spoken mostly about agriculture topics, but today, I am going to focus on something that is more important to me, discipleship. This past weekend I went to Winter Jam, which is a concert where many Christian bands/artists come and perform a concert. There is also a Christian speaker who gives a great message every year. So, what is my problem with this? Nothing. I loved every minute of it. What bothers me is the press this concert got from our local paper.  Whenever there is a concert in town, there is a huge article about the band/artist performing in the Local & State section. There were 6 bands and solo 4 artists who performed at this concert. However, there was not a main page article in the paper. There was an article about one of the artists, however, it only mentioned Winter Jam once, and the article was small and below the fold. I do not think it is right of the paper to have not have written at least one big article about this concert and the people involved with it. The entire Civic Center was full of Christians worshipping, and I feel the people involved in making this concert possible should have been recognized with an article in the paper. This is especially true because this was the last stop on their 46 day tour.

Liquid Gold

Gregg Carlson argues that while many people think it is a waste of time to make ethanol, it is not in his article "The Rest of the Story on Food Vs. Food." I agree with him on this topic. We both do not believe it is a waste of crops to produce this fuel. Within the debate, there are two major topics that people look at: energy efficiency and the potential of using a food source for fuel. In the energy topic, many think the amount of fuel made is not worth the intake. This lofty intake is corn and energy. This fear is not relevant because it has been proven that while it does take a lot to make ethanol, the fuel efficiency of ethanol makes up for these. In the topic of using a food source for fuel many worry that the ethanol industry is a waste of food that could be used to help feed the world. This is a legitimate worry, however, these people may not have taken into account the byproduct of ethanol. This byproduct is called wet distiller's grain. This is put into corn stalks and feed for cattle. This helps more crops grow and helps feed the animals. This will help to produce the same amount, if not more food than before. As you can see, the ethanol industry is doing its part in the world. This industry is creating liquid gold for the world by distilling corn.

Freewrite: Jersey Shore

Why would people want to watch a show involving alcohol, fights, sex, cursing, and cigarettes each episode? What makes people want to watch this every week? It is the top cable show and has been for a while. It’s on its 4th season and is already scheduled for a 5th one in Italy. These people have become famous for having fake boobs, really tan skin, and inappropriate lifestyles. How is this considered good television?I don’t see it. Even after watching the whole 2nd season, I still have to force myself to do so. I don’t like to watch it. I considered it was because of my lifestyle, me being a Christian, but I know many Christians who watch it too. I can’t figure it out. What makes this show so good?

This topic interests me because I am curious. I’m not saying I want to like this show, but I sure would like to understand what people talk about when they reference this show. I want to know how people choose this out of the millions of other shows and things they could be doing. I don’t get it. I really don’t. I watched this show with my brothers, and they hated it too. How does it hook some people and not others? How does a show like this make the top cable show also? Things like this make me confused about this world and the people watching television in it. All I have to say is that all the children who watch this show should really learn about what not to do. However, I doubt this will happen. The people who star in this show are not those to be idealized. Pathetic.

This show is pathetic. The people in it are pathetic. They lie, cheat, and argue. How does this appeal to people? It’s pathetic. The people’s lifestyles are pathetic. Everyone grows up wanting to make a difference in the world. Clearly, these people are affecting the world. However, are they affecting it for good or bad. Unfortunately, it’s for the worse. They show us bad behaviors and act like it is normal and good. Their attitudes are pathetic. This show is pathetic.

Every Thursday night, there are hundreds of shows to watch, but the top rated cable show is Jersey Shore. What does this show say about Americans’ standards for entertainment. What does this say about the type of shows people look to watch? I just don’t see how people can take this show and enjoy watching it. It is amazing to me.

Freewrite: Ethanol Industry

Ethanol is created by grinding corn then distilling it. There is a bi-product that is made that they put into food for animals. It takes a lot of corn to make a gallon of ethanol, so it does contribute to the corn prices going up. However, this industry is not the only reason the food prices are going up. The ethanol industry is looked at badly by many people and it should not be. It is better for the environment and is becoming better and better than normal gasoline than ever.

I am interested in this topic because it affects me. Having grown up in a grain farm, this is important to me because we help to contribute to the ethanol industry and view it as good. It is important to me to get the news out about the real affect ethanol is having on the world. This is kind of like my last essay. It is important to me that everyone knows the truth about agriculture and is informed before they make decisions. Cost.

Many people are concerned the ethanol industry costs too much for what it gets you. This may be true but I am not sure. I need to do some research before I can definitively say. Right now, I think ethanol is worth it, but I haven’t done too much research that proves this. Are there enough bushels of corn in this world to produce the ethanol we need to use? There are a lot of questions I would like to get answered through this paper.

Even though there are a lot of different view points about the ethanol industry, I hope to explore all of them. I plan to write a paper that sets the record straight for all who read it. I want to be able to make a decision on whether or not the ethanol industry is worth it or not. I also hope to find if the ethanol industry benefits the world as much as it says. Also, does the ethanol industry have enough support to continue on? There are many questions I have to find and answer.

Freewrite: Conventional Vs. Organic Production

Conventional Vs. Organic Production:

Conventional will feed the world, organic will feed the United States. Conventional are cheaper and offer the same health benefits. Organic takes longer to produce and doesn’t produce the same amount. While there are strict regulations for organic production, there are still regulations conventional farmers must abide to. Conventional can produce more on less land. Organic takes more labor and time to maintain. 

I grew up on a conventional farm and it has worked well for our family. I don’t know why people think it is bad. I’ve been eating conventional crops my whole life and nothing has happened to me yet. It boils down to how much you are willing to believe based on nothing. There is little research saying organic is better for you; people just believe it is better because it is ‘organic’. The world’s population is going to increase a lot in the next  century. How can we feed the world with organic production. I have news for you, we can’t; not with urbanization taking away valuable farmland. Conventional is the only way to feed the world. Why is this? Because we can use GMO crops to produce more with the land that is available. Feed the world.

To feed the world, we have to produce more on less land. That is obvious. How, may I ask is organic going to do that? I have an answer, they can’. You have to look at the future when you make decisions about your food choices. I do believe organic will always be around though. I know in my brain that conventional is better. All the facts point to it. Conventional production has worked well for us for a while, it will continue to do so in the future. With conventional production we can feed the ever-growing population.

Conventional sounds great for the future, but why do we need to use it now? We already have enough to feed the world right now. Right now we can use conventional production to help make bi-products. With the excess grain produced by conventional production, we can produce ethanol and more. Production.

Production agriculture is one of the most important industries in the world. We have to utilize technology available. This means having to do research, which opens new job opportunities. GMO is vital to the future of agriculture and it is agriculturalists’ job to find more and better ones.

Conventional production is the way to go. Organic production simply cannot produce enough for the present or for the future. So long as there is no proof indicating organic is better, i can only see it as a slower, more demanding, form of production agriculture.

Wind Turbines

What are these big white things in the middle of my field? Oh, that’s right they are wind turbines. There are a lot of controversies around these structures but I think it is clear that they should be put into place wherever possible. Some people do not like these wind turbines because they say they are bad for scenery. I have many in my backyard and I don’t think they take away from anything. If anything, they add interest to a boring plain. Some people also argue that they are dangerous to planes. There is a flashing light with the highest LCD light on the top of the structures to be sure the planes can see them. Another argument people have against wind turbines is they make too much noise. Once again, I have many around my house and I have yet to hear one unless I am underneath it. One more argument people have is that you can’t guarantee the wind will blow all day every day. Wind turbines have a sensor on them and if the wind doesn’t blow above 10 mph, they don’t spin. In addition, if the wind gets about 60 mph, the turbines shut off so they don’t break. One thing people cannot argue about is the benefit it the environment these wind turbines provide. When we use this type of alternative energy, we will depend less on fossil fuels and more on energy provided by ourselves. Wind turbines seem, stand up to most arguments people throw at them. In my opinion, wind turbines are awesome.

Fallacies of Organic Production

Kristen Weinacker argues that while many believe organic foods are better for you, there is no research showing that it is in her article “Safer? Tastier? More Nutritious? The Dubious Merits of Organic Foods”. I agree with her whole heartedly. Having grown up on a conventional farm, producing our own vegetables every year, I can’t see how organic foods are better for you. Some people say that organic foods have more of a pesticide residue, however, with a simple cleaning of your food before consumption will remove almost all trace of pesticides. She also states that people believe organic foods  taste better, however, if you taste both, in my opinion, they taste the same. Many people assume the cost of organic food is higher because it is better for you. That is not true. The cost is higher because the input and labor take more time, and the output is smaller than conventional farming.  Another reason the cost is high is because the producers need to offset the cost to be certified organic. This process takes years to do and is expensive to maintain. Therefore, many products are not certified organic. When buying a product, you must check to see if it is USDA Certified, if it is not, it is probably not be organic. While I can see that people think organic is better for you, I cannot agree until there is rock solid evidence stating so.