1/15/16

Organic Farming

We have spent the past few days in the Trentino region of Northern Italy, learning about the sustainable agriculture and farming industries that are gaining notoriety throughout Europe in recent years. Staying in Cavalese has been an absolute blast, and they have definitely taken care of the Lutes! Bailey and I got to present an article about the growth in organic farming practices in the European Union, after visiting both an organic veal farm and a cheese factory that produces both organic and nonorganic products. Through EU regulations of agriculture and produce, both have found difficulties competing in open markets, as organic products often must be sold at higher prices to make a profit. Still, there has been an increase in the production and availability of these products in larger markets, with consumers becoming more educated on the benefits of organic produce and increased advertising and promotions. This rise has began to catch up to the amount sold in smaller, regional markets like many that we have seen, that sell local produce often following the same practices that were used before the need for mass production of agricultural goods. In a sense, we are seeing these farmers go back to the old way of production! Seeing the way that these farmers produced their goods definitely made me consider my choices at the grocery store, and the organic cheese tasted great!

-Jackson Leech