| In the cloak of increased production and profits we | | | | environment. |
| have turned to intensive farming. But intensive | | | | Animal rights activists have been up in arms against |
| farming has come with a high price to our health. | | | | the intensive farming of poultry for a very long time. |
| Today the health of all Americans are at more risk | | | | Overcrowded, inhumane conditions have lead to the |
| than ever before because of the chemicals that we | | | | prevalence of diseases among the birds. The |
| ingest into our bodies through the food we eat. | | | | incidence of 'bird flu' cannot be over emphasized here. |
| Cancer, Alzheimer's and other major illnesses are on | | | | Even the eggs produced by such birds remains a |
| the rise and said to be linked to the chemicals | | | | threat to our health. The overuse of antibiotics on |
| absorbed into our bodies. Will we ever be able to go | | | | the birds have affected our health too. |
| back to farming the natural way? | | | | We have listed the disadvantages of intensive |
| The use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, | | | | farming. So it looks like the only advantage to the |
| fungicides and insecticides is rampant in intensive | | | | consumer in intensive farming is the lower priced |
| farming. Animal farms with over populated conditions | | | | food whichwe are actually paying for with our health. |
| and pollution lead to animal sickness and diseases. | | | | If only Americans were to pay a little more for their |
| Intensive farming is carried out in the majority of | | | | products, they would actually be paying less for their |
| these working farms leading to more chances of us | | | | medical bills. A good example will be our regular |
| consuming unwanted chemicals in our diet. | | | | 'Michigan grown' apple. One is the product of intensive |
| The disadvantages of intensive farming are manifold. | | | | farming whereby the apple is covered with an |
| The environment is altered with the creation of large | | | | invisible pesticide residue layer that does not wash |
| open field to facilitate efficiency and profits. But this | | | | off. The other is the organic apple, free from |
| upsets the natural habitat of the animals that live | | | | pesticides and other harmful chemicals. It is grown by |
| there. Improper handling of vast, open spaces lead to | | | | your hardworking, hometown organic farmers who |
| soil erosion. The use of pesticides may give us a | | | | are experiencing a very hard time competing with |
| 'healthy looking' crop but in effect we are ingesting | | | | the chemical giants. This may sound dramatic but it is |
| the residual chemicals left in the plant. Massive | | | | not. Supporting your local farmers support your |
| amount of nitrogen based fertilizers contaminate the | | | | health. The choice is in yours. Make the right one |
| rivers and lakes which will eventually destroy our | | | | today. |