Unit 5Unit 5Agricultural territoryAgricultural territory

Can Farmers Work the Land Can Farmers Work the Land Without Destroying It? Without Destroying It?

Nearly 80% of the Quebec population Nearly 80% of the Quebec population lives in the St. Lawrence Plain Region.lives in the St. Lawrence Plain Region.

Its also where most of QuebecIts also where most of Quebecs farms s farms are found.are found.

This means city and country thus share This means city and country thus share the same space.the same space.

Most farms are located close to urban Most farms are located close to urban centres (cities). centres (cities).

Co-existence of city (urban) and Co-existence of city (urban) and country (rural) raises several country (rural) raises several questions:questions:

Do cities encroach on farmlands?Do cities encroach on farmlands?

Are farming activities harmful to the Are farming activities harmful to the environment?environment?

How should territories handle the How should territories handle the problem of smell and pollution?problem of smell and pollution?

How should territories be developed?How should territories be developed?

Characteristics of Quebec Characteristics of Quebec FarmsFarms

In Quebec, cities and farms have been In Quebec, cities and farms have been sharing space for a long time.sharing space for a long time.

Farmers began settling along the St. Farmers began settling along the St. Lawrence Region centuries ago.Lawrence Region centuries ago.

Why this region?Why this region?It has ideal climate for farming.It has ideal climate for farming.

It has fertile soil for farming.It has fertile soil for farming.

It has a nearby river for transporting It has a nearby river for transporting people and goods.people and goods.

In southern Quebec, cities are taking In southern Quebec, cities are taking over farmland.over farmland.

Residential neighbourhoods, factories, Residential neighbourhoods, factories, shopping centres, roads and highways shopping centres, roads and highways etc.) are taking over green space. etc.) are taking over green space.

Why donWhy don`̀t farmers settle t farmers settle farther away from cities?farther away from cities?11stst reason: reason:

The climate and soil is less fertile as we travel The climate and soil is less fertile as we travel farther away from the St. Lawrence Region.farther away from the St. Lawrence Region.

22ndnd reason: reason:

Transporting products becomes really Transporting products becomes really expensive if farmers live far away from urban expensive if farmers live far away from urban centres.centres.

Gas is expensive!Gas is expensive!

33rdrd reason: reason:

• Farmers depend (rely) on other businesses to Farmers depend (rely) on other businesses to get supplies and services.get supplies and services.

• For example, a farmer will need quick service For example, a farmer will need quick service from a repairman if a machine breaks down on from a repairman if a machine breaks down on his farm. his farm.

• These other businesses need to be close by for These other businesses need to be close by for immediate help. immediate help.

Range:Range:

It’s land that runs along the length of the It’s land that runs along the length of the road.road.

The land is divided into rectangles.The land is divided into rectangles.

Range residents lived close to one another.Range residents lived close to one another.

They relied on each other for help.They relied on each other for help.

Disagreements Arise Amongst Disagreements Arise Amongst Range Residents:Range Residents:

Farmers have different approaches to Farmers have different approaches to land use.land use.

Some farmers prefer to use Some farmers prefer to use chemicalchemical fertilizers while others use natural fertilizers while others use natural fertilizersfertilizers..

It may cause conflict if the soil from It may cause conflict if the soil from one range one range contaminatescontaminates the the neighbouring neighbouring rangerange. .

Bigger, but Fewer Farms in Quebec:Bigger, but Fewer Farms in Quebec:• The number of farms is decreasing, while the The number of farms is decreasing, while the

average farm size is increasing.average farm size is increasing.

Dairy Farming in Quebec (Qc):Dairy Farming in Quebec (Qc):Dairy productionDairy production is the most important is the most important agricultural industry in Quebec.agricultural industry in Quebec.

One in four farms is a dairy farm.One in four farms is a dairy farm.

One third (1/3) of CanadaOne third (1/3) of Canada`̀s dairy production is s dairy production is found in Quebec.found in Quebec.

Farmers and the Farmers and the Development of Rural Development of Rural Communities:Communities:

Farmers create jobs. Farmers create jobs.

1 in 8 jobs is linked to the agri-food 1 in 8 jobs is linked to the agri-food industry. industry.

Farmers preserve and take care of the Farmers preserve and take care of the countryside.countryside.

An Agricultural Economy with An Agricultural Economy with Global Ties:Global Ties:

One way Quebec is linked with other countries One way Quebec is linked with other countries around the world is through around the world is through importsimports and and exports exports of agricultural products.of agricultural products.

ImportsImports: Products that come from far away : Products that come from far away places. places.

ExportsExports: Products we sell to other countries.: Products we sell to other countries.

I.e. Quebec exports pork to Japan and I.e. Quebec exports pork to Japan and gets its fresh vegetables from California gets its fresh vegetables from California or Mexico. or Mexico.

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Importing and Exporting the Importing and Exporting the Same Agricultural Product:Same Agricultural Product:

Quebec exports apples- but imports other Quebec exports apples- but imports other varieties too.varieties too.

Making Connections Between Agriculture Making Connections Between Agriculture and Environment:and Environment:

1. AGRICULTURAL ZONED LAND (Green 1. AGRICULTURAL ZONED LAND (Green Zones):Zones):

We have laws that protect Quebec farms.We have laws that protect Quebec farms.

Only farming is permitted in green zones.Only farming is permitted in green zones.

Why were such laws necessary?Why were such laws necessary?

Urban sprawlUrban sprawl** was encroaching on was encroaching on farmland. farmland.

*It is the spreading of a city and its *It is the spreading of a city and its suburbs over farm land.suburbs over farm land.

Is the law working? (Is it effective?):

The farming law remains controversial.

a)People in favor of Agricultural Zoned Land:

They are against developing new neighbourhoods over farmland. Reserving land for farming only is the only solution.

b) People against Agricultural Zoned Land:

They feel zoning land for farming only goes too far. It become impossible to build anything because this law goes too far.

c) People not satisfied with currrent law:

• Some people feel the current law is not strict enough because it still allows for polluting farming practises to continue (straying chemicals and pesticides etc.).

2. Production without Destruction:

The 6 requirements for farming:a)Clearing and working the land

b)Planting

c) Spreading fertilizers* and pesticides*

Fertilizers:Organic or chemical substance added to the soil to make it fertile.

Pesticides:A chemical used to kill pests.Pests are rodents and insects that attack and destroy crop fields.

d) Using heavy Machinery

e) Digging ditches

f) Diverting* streams or even rivers*Changing the direction of the flow of water…

Farming activities have a negative impact on the environment.

What are the negative What are the negative consequences of farming consequences of farming activities?activities?1. Fertilizers/pesticides contaminate water.1. Fertilizers/pesticides contaminate water.

Its absorbed by the soil and ends up in rivers, lakes and Its absorbed by the soil and ends up in rivers, lakes and groundwater.groundwater.

2. Habitats are transformed which threatens 2. Habitats are transformed which threatens biodiversity.biodiversity.

3. Pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics can 3. Pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics can be hazardous to the health of farm workers be hazardous to the health of farm workers and consumers.and consumers.

How did farming come to this?

Profoundly changed since 1950s.Farms are fewer but bigger.Farming is much more intensive:

1. Fuels, pesticides and fertilizers are used in massive quantities increase production.

2. Harmful products to the environment are absorbed into the soil and make their way into the groundwater, rivers and lakes .

Point Source Pollution vs. Non-Point Source Pollution:

Point Source Pollution:Linked to industrial and urban activities. The source has been identified (i.e. pulp and paper industry).

Non-Point Source Pollution:Linked to farming actvities.The pollution (pesticides etc.) spreads beyond the farmed area as it infiltrates the soil and travels into the groundwater, rivers, lakes etc.

3. Watershed-based management:It involves preserving both the quantity and quality of the water flowing through a territory.

Farming activities often contaminate water.

How?Whatever fertilizers/pesticides cannot be absorbed by the crops runs off the surface, is absorbed into the soil and makes its way into the streams, rivers and lakes.

What is a watershed?A watershed is an area of land where all of the water (surface and groundwater) flows to the lowest point - usually a lake, river, or stream.

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4. Hog farms:Quebec produces more pork than any other Canadian province.Located mostly in the Chaudiere, Yamaska and l'Assomption regions.Hog production has increased in the last 40 years.Number of hog farms has decreased.This means more pigs are being crammed into closed spaces.More liquid manure is affecting water quality in watersheds (there is more liquid manure than there is farmland to spread it on).

Protecting the Environment While Satisfying Demand:

It is possible to reduce hog farm pollution.

Create balance between number of hogs and the area available for spreading liquid manure.

Quebec Pork Exports:World market demands are strong.Nearly ½ of all Quebec pork is exported.Pork is leading agricultural export in Quebec.

Hog farming has become an economic issue:Striking a balance between building a strong economy while addressing environmental concerns.

Intensive Farming vs. Sustainable Farming

Intensive Farming aims for higher productivity and more profits.

Characteristics:Large-sized farmsFarmers invests a lot in machinery, fertilizers, buildings, pesticides, labour.Specialize in one type of production (Ex. hog farm).Concentration of production (more and more livestock in the same area).Fierce competition among farmers

Sustainable Agriculture aims to meet human food needs while protecting natural resources (soil, water, air, plant and animal biodiversity).

Its specific goals:To protect, nourish and enrich the soil.To sow natural seeds and farm the land using crop rotation and organic fertilizers.

These farmers reject animal overcrowding in closed farm buildings.

5. Organic Farming:It refers to:1.A way of farming without chemical fertilizers, pesticides,

GMOs (Genetically modified organism)• Farmers view their farms as ecosystems and work as

much as possible with natural products and practises (Animal feed, insect control, organic fertilizers) maintain a balance of number of animals and size of farm; and they preserve wooded areas to prevent clear-cutting of trees.