Although industrial farms produce food in mass amounts, it is not the best choice for our environment. In his book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan shares, "When George Naylor's father spread his first load of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, the ecology of his farm underwent a quiet revolution. Until then, the farm's nitrogen had been recyced in a natural loop. Legumes used the sun's energy to fix nitrogen in the soil. Other plants used the nitrogen to grow. Animals ate the plants and the farmer recycled the nitrogen by spreading the animals' manure on the soil" (42). When industrial farms use ammonium nitrate while farming, it disrupts the natural nitrogen cycle. Pollan expands, "But now the Naylors didn't need to produce their own nitrogen-- they went out and bought it. The nitrogen for the fields would no longer be made with the sun's energy but with fossil fuels. Farming was no longer an ecological loop-- it was more like a factory" (42). Since there is already an abundance of Nitrogen produced naturally, its manufactured form creates an excess supply. This is da ngerous because Nitrogen is a greenhouse gas. Although greenhouse gases are essential to life on Earth, excess amounts can cause climate change. Eating home-grown food helps the climate problem because you control the way its grown. You can grow food naturally instead of using ammonium nitrate or other dangerous chemicals that contribute to the rising amount of greenhouse gases which is a leading cause climate change. Eating home-grown food is also healthier because of the decrease in added chemicals and fertilizers. In my garden, my family has small plants including pepper plants, basil, rosemary, and a kumquat tree. This is an easy way to start out without devoting yourself to home-grown food.  If home-grown food is too much of a hassle, there are also many farmers markets. There is a farmers market near me that has a wide variety of locally grown options. These options are grown by local farmers using no dangerous chemicals, otherwise used by industrial farmers. By just a small change in our food source, we can really change the world. Works Cited: Chevat, Richie, and Michael Pollan. The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Secrets behind What You Eat. Print.

As Pollan points out, even organic farming can be industrial.  It's good to know the farmers and how the food is produced - something that everyone used to know, but we got disconnected.  Through farmer's markets, community gardens, etc, the pendulum is starting to swing back.

I think we should get back to another old idea that we lost: the idea of a "victory garden." 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden

But instead of a victory in war, this modern version would be a victory in the face of climate change.  Gardens are patriotic!

I agree with Emma. There should be more opportunities to buy locally grown food. As mentioned above, there is a transportation issue when food is being delivered from places farther away. Emissions from fossil fuels can be harmful to the environment. In the article I read, the consumption of organic food deceases the amount of synthetic pesticides used. However, when it comes to the more populated cities in countries, relying on farmers' markets solely is not practical. This does not mean that an effort should not be made to promote locally grown food. In fact, there has been an increase in the sales from organic foods. As of 2008, nearly 6% of produce sold is considered organic and was expected to rise. This is a good start that can be continued.
works cited:
http://observer.com/2008/05/the-environ … ocal-food/