Why this Farm! can be used to illustrate sustainable and non-sustainable food producing systems in the classroom.
There are two food producing systems in the story: The battery hen farm, -an example of industrial farming. And the small scale “backyard farms” in the Valley, and example of traditional and sustainable farming.
1.- The battery hen farm: Involves food miles and uses significant amounts of energy and resources. Has a high impact on the environment as it pollutes through emissions and waste.
2.- The small scale “backyard farms” in the Valley represent a very good example of what a sustainable food producing system involves: low impact as a result of minimal waste, no food miles and very little resources and energy invested.
The repercussions and benefits of each can be explored through discussion in the classroom.
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