A plant's-eye view - Michael Pollan

[@richellerice]

Michael Pollan you are the reason I decided to pursue a degree in English and then study urban farming. You rock.

[@the_awe]

It is always nice to hear young people getting inspired to pursue their academic journey. Keep going!

[@vikidevries4441]

Amazing🙏 ❤ God bless you and your family ❤

[@the_awe]

Sticking with the Ted community makes me realize that there is hope in the brilliance of humanity.

[@pikkuadi]

Last names usually tell a lot.

[@jjtitus]

Great presentation, we need more discussion like this, and more farms like Polyface... that is the SUSTAINABLE FUTURE of farming!

[@billbrazil1]

I own 12.5 acres that are currently being used for nothing more than a shooting range and privacy. After watching this video, my priorities have changed. Gotta love technology.

[@Bartholomule01]

That is brilliant! This type of farm he's describing is amazing!

[@spliceosome]

I think this is one of the best talks I've heard! I actually thought all of this before (the part of viewing nature from the perspective of other species), and I like that other people thought that too! Also that farms are cool! but what does he refer to when he is talking of "cartesian systems"?

[@En-Beet]

i think its a way of asying "from our experience and point of view". like we are the center and we are the peak of evulotion and the ones behind the controls for all our actions and the reason we do said actions, unlike what he is trying to comunicate. wich is that everyting living is taking advanteges of, and helping other living things in a way more complex and larger way than we have ever imagined.

[@imafarmboy]

There may be small amounts of contaminants however they are so diluted they are not a concern on top of that any hormones or antibiotics that are in the manure will be broken down before the manure is spread. You are correct if it did escape the structure it would be an environmental catastrophic event, but we design the structures to prevent such happenings. In the design standards the structure have to account for a "25 year" storm and an extra foot between that max level and the top of the

[@bwghall1]

My own observations, I mowed a patch of grass which included poppies, some weeks later up came the poppies, but they were now only 6" high instead of 2 foot. also in flower. how did those poppies know that summer was nearly over, that they had to grow and produce seed in a few weeks? if they had grown to full size they would have missed out.

[@peterfarkas9509]

they sense the length and ratio of the days and nights :)

[@imafarmboy]

As for my math I took the total US ag acres (445,324,765) from the 2011 Ag Census and the total US production for each product. Example 26,290,000,000 pounds of beef / 445,324,765 acres = 59.0356 pounds beef/acre

[@Marialla.]

I respect that you follow strict management plans, and do not have overflows. That is good, because obviously uncontained manure would be dangerous to neighbors, or to streams. But even sitting peacefully in it's lagoon, manure is smelly and revolting. When it's soaked into a carbonaceous bedding and made into compost, or when it's spread naturally in single-day increments directly onto fields, manure is neither a sight or smell hazard, nor is there even a remote possibility of discharge.

[@DaRealFiberOptix]

my very first thought and hope was that they were going to be talking about the primal intelligence that is in all plants and animals

[@breathgrowth5102]

Best ted i have seen in my life wtf i never though about nature like that

[@sacramentallyill]

Look up Stephen Harrod Buhner

[@cattmandan]

I think it can absolutely feed the world. When you're stacking functions and layers, as is done with Permaculture, you can fit far more on an acre while maintaining an environment that is more conducive to natural processes. Also, permaculture frequently makes use of perennials crops which tend to be able to produce far more in less area. Lastly, consider how many lawns we have in the US, imagine if people, instead of taking food out of the global market, grew even a fraction of their own food.

[@imafarmboy]

I would also like to address the purpose of manure lagoons. On my farm we have 2 lagoons with a total capacity of 12 million gallons. We follow a very detailed and very strict nutrient management plan that prevents us from applying excess manure to our fields. In the over 14 years that we have had our manure lagoons we have never had any discharge into the environment for any reason. As I said earlier we live off the land. Why would we do anything to endanger our neighbors or ourselves?

[@imafarmboy]

If a manure lagoon is properly managed the smell is greatly reduced and there is current research for products to further reduce odors. We bed our heifers with corn stalk bedding and the odor is still present. Also there is still a chance for manure contamination even with solid bedding if it is not managed well. Also there are ways to make spreading large amounts of liquid manure virtually unnoticeable with practices such as 'knifing' the manure directly into the soil.

[@dyarray]

Wow, now we just need to replace every "food factory" with these kinds of farms.

[@imafarmboy]

Sorry I should have clarified. The sample farm is the farm that Mr. Pollan used during his speech. While the US production numbers I took the total acreage of the US an the total US production from 2011. There is no such thing as a 'Factory Farm' there are large scale farms but there is no definition of what constitutes a 'factory farm'. I agree that that transportation of food is a area we can improve on, however there is simply not enough land to produce enough food to feed a city in a city.

[@imafarmboy]

My definition of pollution-free is having no pollution. Manure is far from pollution, in fact manure is a very valuable resource for farmers it allows us to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers on our farms and if there is enough manure produced you can power a methane designator and produce electricity. Compost is easier to handle and has less odor but it also takes up more land and cost more to produce and many farmers cannot utilize composting effectively

[@imafarmboy]

I understand it is not a perfect comparison, but it does give a general idea of the productivity comparison. By using the total US acreage it greatly reduces the #/acre production of each product. Importing feed doesn't necessarily a production system is worse. It allows us to better formulate an animals diet to promote animal health and increase production; it also allows us to use by-products, better utilizing our national resources and reducing processing waste.

[@Marialla.]

Is your corn stalk bedding shredded? Is it 3-5 feet deep? On Polyface the cattle are bedded with carbonaceous materials like sawdust or peanut shells. Whole corn kernals are often scattered over the bedding while it's being deepened/renewed. In the spring, pigs are let in. They root through the bedding to find the corn, thus aerating it and turning it into compost. This compost is then spread on the fields.

[@Marialla.]

The question is, are these the same 100 acres we're talking about? On Joel Salatin's farm he produces all those eggs, chickens, beef, pork, turkeys, etc. off of the SAME hundred acres. Each species overlaps others, as they dance through the pastures at different times, taking and giving different nutrients. Most importantly, he does not pollute with chemicals or manure lagoons. Also, he does not need to import much feed. So those are more "wholistic" footprints.

[@imafarmboy]

I took the average total US production divided by total us farm acreage and used 100 acres to form an easy comparison. In reality the production is much higher then the numbers i used because not all us ag land is used for beef, or pork, or poultry. Also we take great care to protect the environment, I am a farmer, so is my father, and his father, and his father... we make our living off the land. If we poison our land it does not only put us out of a job, it changes our way of life.

[@imafarmboy]

Yes feeding grains raise the pH of the ruman, however cows naturally produce an anti-acid in their saliva (part of the reason that they chew their cud) which will return the ruman back to normal pH levels. In high energy rations we account for the rise in pH and provide buffer for the animals to keep the ruman in a healthy balance. As for the life expectancy of our cows, that really depends on the management and breeding program of the farmer. From my experience we cull cows from the herd

[@Skepticline]

I think sentences such us "corn is making us do what it wants" are metaphors. This kind of talk like "the flower lures the bee" are really suggestive, but of course Darwin never believed flowers planned it all beforehand and chose how to evolve. We're not granting consciousness to corn, we're talking about corn in terms of consciousness to put it in terms we're familiar with and understand it.

[@Marialla.]

It seems we agree on a lot. Why are we arguing? Have you ever seen Joel Salatin's farm? Perhaps if you saw what I'm referring to, you'd understand my point of view a bit better. I'm impressed with Polyface for many reasons, and all the reasons interlock and interact with one another. It isn't about any one aspect. It's about the system as a whole, and how it builds a healthy ecosystem. It really is beautiful. You should see it.

[@rr7firefly]

Pollan deconstructs the primacy of human ego in several momentous books. His latest "How to Change Your Mind" takes us to another aspect of a transcendent state beyond socially programmed self-importance.

[@power-max]

we have a family milk cow now used for raising calf's, and our chickens love the patties left behind. I always thought they are after the corn inside them. now I know they are actually getting the maggots. o_O as if that wasn't bad enough...

[@ejetzer]

The passage about corn made me think of the Zombiecorn novella by John Green :)

[@imafarmboy]

First, I would like to point out that eating grain doesn't make an animal an omnivore as grain is still a plant product, the seeds. Second, eating grain does not make the cows sick, unless it is fed in improper amounts. grains provides very important energy and protein sources for cows and if corn was bad for our cows why would every dairy specialist have it in the ration? Third, I agree transportation does use up resources. But why wouldn't grain acreage be calculated?We use it to feed the

[@Marialla.]

I really think you've overlooked the value of Polyface-style farming. Granted, no 100-acre farm can supply the whole world's food needs. But it does supply upwards of 117,000lbs of meat, which is more than double any factory farm. It does it without pollution, and it improves the environment, biodiversity, and water retention in the soil. If lots of small farmers adopted this style of farming, every area could feed itself easily, not be slaved to factory conglomerates.

[@Marialla.]

If I used the term "poison the land", please forgive me. That is too harsh a statement. Obviously you are not trying to damage anything. But I don't think widespread use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, herbicides, hormones, or antibiotics can be considered entirely benign. Runoff can affect streams and even ocean life. Resistance can be built up. A system that does without chemicals yet still produces well is necessarily a better solution.

[@Marialla.]

Importing feed DOES mean a production system is worse. First: cows should never eat grain. They're herbivores, not omnivores. Grain makes them sick. Second: anything imported must be transported, and that costs petroleum and pollution from trucking. Third: the acreage used to grow the imported grain is never calculated into the acreage to grow cows, so that's skewed. Polyface cattle eat the grass that grows right there on Polyface Farm.

[@Marialla.]

I'm sorry I don't understand the math you used to get the numbers you quoted. Polyface is easy to calculate, because it actually does use 100 acres to produce it's animal products. To calculate an equivalent in standard current farms you'd have to adjust for such things as the acres of hay or grain grown to feed the cows, as well as their mere standing room. Polyface imports no feed for its cattle, and less than average for other animals, since they all forage. Their diets are much healthier.

[@Marialla.]

Handling manure seems gross to me, especially in large quantities, and seems a shame to have to do if you don't need to. Polyface cattle spread their own manure right on the daily paddock where they graze, never overburdening the land, or needing humans to shovel it in the summer. Winter manure is composted on site in the barn where they stay, and is only turned by pigs in the spring, then handled as compost. So odor is never a problem. That seems a huge benefit, to me.

[@XxwoodyleexX]

nice approach, very interesting and inspiring point of view, like the way you did it. one question here, what about those animal's farts? methane is a serious greenhouse gas released by those cattle?

[@Marialla.]

Really, the main problem with making a profit with Joel Salatin's style of farming isn't it's productivity or intrinsic value. The problem is there are so many regulations against small farmers. Regulations that were put in place to protect us against major farm monopolies don't always scale appropriately for a small family business. That's why small farms are dying.

[@Msstrawcherryblack]

Looking at the world from a plants eye veiw is great, but give equal time to other great things like exploring our Planet Come on TED ED

[@carnivoredietmike6078]

Very insightful! Thankyou!!

[@Marialla.]

Manure should not be a pollutant, it's true. But in lagoons, it isn't exactly sweet. It may be full of hormones, antibiotics, or other contaminants, besides smelling foul. If it managed to escape it's boundaries it WOULD be a pollutant in waterways. It has happened to some farmers, even if not to you. It's just too concentrated. But when handled in a way more in line with natural behaviors, it benefits the land with little trouble to the farmer at all.

[@kevandre]

For those cats who are sent here by classes to watch this video... He doesn't cut to the chase until around 10:55. you can skip until then and miss nothing of importance

[@sliskekeeling]

I disagree.. just watch the whole thing and have a clearer understanding of the topic

[@zacharykenniston748]

If you want good subjects for root brain theory look no farther than skunk cabbage which has a rhizomatous caudex that acts as a brain. It has long tentacle like roots which can move the plant in any direction. Inside the caudex is a cylindrical mass of what looks like white matter in a brain. It has nerve like structures which connect to the inside of the rhizomatous brain. They run down a channel inside the long secondary roots. And appear to direct the movement. Then look at its cousin the Jack in the pulpit whose corm looks like a little upside down brain. The brainstem is the bud

[@zacharykenniston748]

The bottom of the corm is starch. The middle of the corm looks like white Matter in a brain and the brainstem or bud is on top. Another thing is that the skunk cabbages white matter is in the middle. The starch is on the outside under the caudex skin. The roots fit into a sort of socket.

[@imafarmboy]

structure. A minute few of these structures have failed it is true, however there have been many fish kills and such from farms that use solid bedding as well, it how you manage the manure that determines its overall impact.

[@worldbosspf1]

I guess that why he loves bee so much

[@Germanbiscuts]

Very nice insight.

[@dar1n_fgp]

Guys last name is Pollan and hes talking about plants...its like the firefighter named Les McBurney

[@imafarmboy]

the length of our corn stalks is 6-12 in in length, and we regularly clean the pens to the bedding is less then 18 in deep. However during the summer we pile our solid manure but do not aerate the pile. My observations come from handling the manure while cleaning out the facilities and loading it into our spreader.

[@poopedhole]

of course there are no such FOOD factory,only byproducts) besides if you are meat eater ,it really affects you in what conditions animals where raised,and what did they eat

[@truvelocity]

Well, from data from ice core samples from Greenland to the Arctic, you analyze the trapped air in the bubbles as far back as 300,000 years and so far, the evidence points to anthropogenic effects.

[@asishm3192]

This is an idea but it is hard to implement !

[@freyawildesciencefictionau8156]

He's so interesting.

[@Syeal7]

If it is actually a good enough system to provide food to people. Then yes ofcourse. But if it isn't that effective as he claims it is. Then no, it won't.

[@nINJABISH]

Loved this :)

[@DocSolomon]

cure for human self importance.... brilliant

[@yvo84]

Exactly.

[@imafarmboy]

I have nothing against different farming practices, I am a farmer myself. But this kind of farming cannot feed the world. Today feed more with less impact on the environment, and it will only get better! US production (2010) On sample farm Beef- 59,280 pounds/100 acres 40,000pounds/100 acres Pork- 50,520 pounds/100 acres 30,000pounds/100 acres Turkeys 13,030 pounds/100 acres 1,000 pounds/100 acres Us production numbers/ 2011 US farm acreage (445,324,765 acres)

[@abhipatil4844]

Too good

[@SSladfingers]

Actually U.S. farming is one of the most efficient. You're looking at the acreage and not the actual impact on the environment. Only 2.5% of pollution and less is attributed to animal farming.

[@TheBelmontClan]

That is odd, the vast amount of life that sort of nibbles at each other to sustain that of their own, without even the knowledge of self knowing it. Plants eating plants, what is that considered?

[@TheBelmontClan]

Huh, so if a photosynthetic being was that of full human characteristics, intelligence and all, what would it be considered?

[@Marialla.]

As for why nearly everyone who raises cows feeds them corn, it is because it does help them grow very fast. But that does not mean they are healthy. If a cow's only purpose is to grow as big as possible as fast as possible, and even a good dairy cow isn't expected to live more than a few years, it makes sense financially to superfuel them with high-octane feed because you can just slaughter them as soon as they get sick. But that seems wrong to me. It seems cruel and wasteful.

[@imafarmboy]

There in so such thing as pollution free farming, not mater what size your farm or the production methods that you use. I would like to see your sources that prove that the farm produces "more then double" any large scale farm. I would also like to point out that the 117,000 lbs of meat are from several different animal sources.

[@DaRealFiberOptix]

synchronicity

[@2nd3rd1st]

Why do they upload all those ages old videos?

[@sinachiniforoosh]

amazing video!

[@genuinehearts8247]

I want to push botany and also research.

[@Marialla.]

You are right that the meat is from multiple animal sources. That's why it's possible. That's why comparing 40,000lbs of beef produced on Polyface farm isn't apples-to-apples against 53,000lbs of beef from another farm. Forgetting to include those 64,000lbs of other proteins skews the way the results look. As for pollution-free, what is your definition? I consider manure lagoons to be pollution. They're disgusting, and full of toxic chemicals. Recycled into compost is better.

[@adtc]

The comments here show how many people are simply unable to comprehend the fact that we're merely a pawn in the universe's game of chess. The guy in the talk is amazing. Admittedly he sounds nuts, but that's only because nuts seduced us to think they're a representation of craziness...

[@SuperSciencelab]

Interesting point of view :)

[@duranarts]

brilliant

[@imafarmboy]

because their daughters are more productive then they are. On my farm we have animals that are in their sixth and seventh milking lactations, the cows are healthy and happy but they just can’t keep up with the younger generation. Your statement on slaughter is a rash generalization that is emotionally charged, I feel that we cannot have a rational discussion based on that statement.

[@TheBelmontClan]

Hmm, everything's a slave to something, imagine that.

[@Radhikaka-q7d]

4:51 🔖

[@BunToomo]

Holy shit. This is new. This is a breaktrough!!

[@StardustSky100]

Lol his " ughh " reminded me of jack sparrow haha

[@SAsgarters]

Nice insight, but he's ignoring that while the biodiversity may be higher than in traditional farming, it's still nowhere near normal, that the species involved are alien and that it still is disruptive.

[@mariuszwiesiolek9340]

I’m watching this guy surrounded by plants, why are they shifting towards me?😨

[@genuinehearts8247]

I want a research facility in California.

[@zacharymichaelbollheimer9856]

How can this not feed the world? If every massive factory farm was replaced with permaculture, they could have all their eggs, beef, poultry, lamb locally, rather than having to waste energy and money shipping it across the country. And as for this "sample farm," where are you getting these numbers?

[@TheBelmontClan]

Because time travel hasn't been invented yet. Besides what are old people other then young spirits caught in old bodies. Wait.. dupe, is that grown in boone's valley or on napa farms?

[@DocSolomon]

the is Bloody Brilliant and good for the world, but the only question they will ask is, CAN I MAKE A HUGE PROFIT WITH THIS SYSTEM.

[@imafarmboy]

cows, so it should be considered an input for raising that animal. If we did not consider purchased feed an input for the land use of the animals that would mean that my dairy herd would produce 25,000 lbs of milk/day/acre! It is simply not logical.

[@MichaelWelnick]

iv been saying this for years

[@diamondn7130]

wouldn't that be more biodynamic than permaculture?

[@TheBelmontClan]

Maybe karmatrically the mouse from a previous lifetime did some shit to the elephant before the elephant was the elephant

[@שאולקפלן-י6ז]

The Creator is calling the shots

[@Johnny.Picklez]

Hi everyone from mr. camerons class

[@TheBelmontClan]

Thats the mystery of corn isn't it, whether its a introverted or extroverted species, sure shit it ain't digestible. At least thats a universal fact.

[@MalMaimez]

LOVE

[@69VAJRA]

And then after TED talk Michael took ayahuaska and changed he´s mind.

[@CreativeMovieArts]

sup ted!

[@drewthomas2732]

Ha. His last name is Pollan, and he's talking about plants.

[@Ninjabanananess]

Potato seduction XD

[@truvelocity]

Provide water for the speakers! When they get the saliva dry bubbly sounds on their tongue it distracts from the talk.

[@witl435]

Where does this guy buy his weed? Oh, he grows his own...

[@shadbakht]

Ah the philosophy of biology doctrine of 'selfish gene'. Aren't you using consciousness itself to even have this discussion you are having with us. And we in return are using the same darwinian advancement.. ya, "advancement".. Consciousness to in return understand you, man. Are we more developed and advanced compared to grass? I'll say yes. The very fact that you're talking about corn this way, is that you're granting it consciousness Don't get me wrong I agree with everything else after 11:00

[@dunklaw]

Lawn management is primarily fossil fuel driven. So if it is evolution it can only be a dead end.

[@MykeeRamen]

Got a few Monsanto Shills voting this down.

[@SentientEnigma]

He has been seduced by the potato.

[@UristMcTubedwarf]

fuck magic books science is awesome :D