Chapter 1 Food Affects Life
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That is why sustainability is such a key issue in the fi eld of agriculture. Sustainability
refers to practices that either preserve or improve environmental, societal, and economic
conditions for future generations. Farmers produce the most crops and livestock
possible to feed the growing population, but they also work to protect the environment
so they can keep producing crops and livestock in the future. They need to reach both
of these goals in a way that is not too costly so they can still make a living.
Food crops require the right air temperatures, adequate water, and fertile soil to
grow. Livestock need supplies of food and water. The specifi c requirements vary from
one type of plant or animal to another. This is why certain crops and livestock are
easier to raise in some regions than in others.
In the United States, regional agriculture does not affect the availability of foods
as much as it affects their costs. This is because foods are routinely shipped from one
region to another. You can easily obtain foods even if they do not grow well in your
local environment. However, you may have to pay more for them due to transportation
costs. The environment also affects food costs when severe weather, such as a fl ood or
drought, damages crops. The resulting shortages cause prices to rise.
In some areas of the world, the regional nature of agriculture limits food choices.
In these areas, the equipment needed to preserve and ship food from one region to
another may not be available. People may not be able to afford food with added trans-
portation costs. Therefore, people’s food choices are restricted to crops and livestock
that are produced locally.
Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
1-6 People often associate happy experiences with food and food with happy
experiences.