Sustainable Farming: What Do You Buy??

            The major elements of sustainable farming are basically using every measure possible to make as little impact on the environment as you can. Some examples of those measures are organic fertilizers and pesticides, very little operation with machinery, biodegradable packaging and shipping, and distributing locally instead of widespread. Each of these elements will follow your basic ecological principals as well as providing the farmer with a very small carbon footprint on the environment. Granted “sustainable” farming is more expensive, and labor intensive, but can you put a price on preserving our environment? When these organic or “natural” labeled foods hit the grocery store some people stay away from them while other individuals by nothing but these products. The people who do not purchase these items may say it is because they are too expensive or do not taste as good as other processed foods; others who do purchase these items are most likely thinking of the environment and their own health. I, personally, buy organic or “natural” foods occasionally, but they are not my entire grocery list. There are some things that are nice to know they are natural and organic and other items where it is convenient and cheap to just pick them up and have a ready to eat meal.

            I think that I am connected to the current food system, because I believe that is still the processed cheap food that is sold in many grocery stores. Going organic has become very popular, but in my opinion it has not become the majority of food systems. It is like a fad and only time will tell if it catches on or not. In this organic and “natural” food phenomenon I do see the role of the Third Frontier. As our global population continues to use and deplete natural resources something must change. The Third Frontier is about a new way of life. Going green and eating organic are ways that we can start to make those changes that will better our environment.

Some believe this is what some believe will be the future of sustainable farming.

            If there was space on campus to grow my own vegetables I would not need it because I grow my own vegetable at home. I started my garden a year ago and fell in love with it. I love watching things grow and being able to eat the outcome! I know my small garden does not yield enough vegetables for every day meals, but it is nice to have an occasionally dinner that I grew myself. Dinners like those make me feel like I am making a difference even if that impact is very small. The following are a few photos of the very beginning of my garden:

           

Downtown Fort Myers

The front of what is now the arts center. At night these tube light up and
latin phrases are displayed on the front of the building.

          The word downtown evokes a few different emotions. Depending on what I am doing there it could evoke relaxation, frustration, or excitement. The plethora of activities you can do in Downtown Fort Myers is what can evoke these different emotions. Downtown was once the central hub of entertainment in Fort Myers, but things have changed as this town has continued to develop. Numerous shopping centers have gone up that contain movie theaters restaurants, and shops including, Gulf Coast Town Center, Miramar Outlets, and Coconut Point. In order to keep up with all these new developments, it could be said that Downtown Fort Myers is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. There has been work that has been done within the past few years that has made downtown more attractive and new shops and restaurants have opened up. I think that this was needed to even begin to compete with the newer shopping centers that were put in.

            Some of the prominent architectural features in Downtown Fort Myers are a lot of the original buildings. One prominent piece of architecture is the front of the First National Bank, which are now law offices. Another building of prominent architecture is the building that is now the art center which was originally made of coral. Other nods to history that are not buildings are statues of historical figures placed around town. One of the biggest statues is in Centennial Park and depicts Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone on a camping trip. Other than historical prominent architecture there are also brick paved streets and beautiful building faces. These things are designed to “rekindle” the pedestrian spirit and make it enjoyable to be in Downtown Fort Myers. The type of architecture in Downtown Fort Myers is one of the factors that evokes the relaxation and peacefulness I was talking about earlier. 

            Over the years Downtown Fort Myers has experienced economic changes, which is expected with a growing community. Downtown used to be a thriving community in and of itself, however it is now dependent on the offices and working community it consists of. The evolution of Downtown Fort Myers relates to sustainability because it is keeping up with changing factors. It is changing the way it does things to stay afloat. Downtown Fort Myers has changed for the better to keep up with our growing community.

This mural depicts 3 differnt scenes from historic Fort Myers. (what is shown is
not the complete mural. My camera cut part of it out)