Items
Tag is exactly
agriculture
-
2020-12-21
Mayans and Covid-19
The topic of Language & Communication during the Covid-19 pandemic stood out to me because my father was from Guatemala, and I am of Mayan descent. I recently read an article from last year discussing the impact of Covid-19 on indigenous communities, especially the Mayans. The article mentions how certain problems were exacerbated by the pandemic: for example, the inability to effectively communicate the pandemic situation across many dialects. Despite a variety of struggles, the article highlights several benefits that Mayan communities experienced, including a renewed sense of community, culture, and farming. -
2020-10-28
The Minimum Wage Spotlight
The photographic story I've uploaded is about my [family member], Andres, who even with the pandemic at its worst peak, in 2020, had to continue in his job. He's an Arizona field laborer, a key worker for the farm he works in. The conditions are difficult, with a minimum wage that doesn't match the amount of work he does. As the photos indicate, his job can start at a very early time when the sun hasn't even risen. His job usually lasts 12 hours, so when it's the night shift, he doesn't come back till the morning hours. There are weeks when he has to stay inside a hot tractor for hours and there are other days when he has to do a lot of moving and carrying around. Due to the difficult weather Arizona may have, there’s a constant danger of heatstroke especially since a lot of his work includes physical labor. Looking deeper, these pictures of the work Andres does feels like a representation of the unequal power there is in the minimum wage system. Here we have a field laborer, who due to lack of education and financial resources growing up, wasn’t able to reach for higher positions that require degrees. He grew up in a poverty-stricken family and alongside being a Latino immigrant, opportunities were few and far between so in order to assure he keeps himself and his family fed and sheltered, so he’s forced to continue a job that doesn’t contain the best conditions or pay. This is only emphasized within the pandemic, minimum wage workers forced to continue working in bad conditions including the risk of getting sick because, in order to keep their head above water, they must. And yet, even with all the dangers and the long hours, their pay doesn’t reflect the job. This also connects to race, minorities most of the time stuck in these places due to the disadvantages they grew up with and continue to face. It’s the life of an individual who is input in a life in which already starts with less compared to privileged others, and then a pandemic hits which only emphasizes the disadvantages already there. Overall, the pandemic truly has put a spotlight on the many issues society already had. -
2021-07-06
World Zoonoses Day
This is a tweet from the UN Environment Programme showing the driving factors behind zoonotic diseases and pandemics. Humans abuse of the environment is to blame. -
2020-10-29
Government of Canada invests $945,000 to further protect Prince Edward Island (PEI) farm workers during COVID-19
In this statement, the Canadian federal government pledges monetary relief to P.E.I.'s farmers amidst the pandemic. -
2020-11-28
Canada adds extra C$691 million to agriculture sector, cuts timeline for dairy farmers' aid
Article about funding for the agriculture industry -
2020-11-25
New Covid restrictions announced today in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
This photo includes two plants, and the caption describe the new restrictions enforced for Albertan residents. This post offers an individual view into how Canadians, particularly city dwellers, grew plants in the midst of COVID-19. -
2020-10-08
Over half of Canadians embracing the joy of pandemic gardening
One study from Dalhousie University reported that "pandemic gardens" became a thing this past summer as thousands of Canadians across the country spent more time outside growing their own food. This article also reveals the reasoning behind why people took to gardening as one of their main sources of entertainment during lockdown and even afterwards. The study shows that Canadians gardened for a multitude of purposes. Not only did they want to spend more time outside, but some were also concerned about food affordability due to the shortage of produce. This article will further illuminate how Canadians viewed gardening as one of their favourite pastimes during COVID-19 through an informative survey. -
2020-06-16
Class of 2020 Celebrated by a Rural Community
The rural community of Tuttle, Oklahoma honored their class of 2020 high graduates with a sign made out of a round bale of hay. The round bale was located just off of State Highway 37 next to the Tuttle Grain & Supply. As part of the creativity, the bale had a sign saying: "Class of 2020" with comments such as "Proud of You!" and "Congrats!" as well as "Great Job!" The sign then covered the face of the hay bale in the design of a large face mask. The community was acknowledging the circumstances that altered the 2020 senior year and graduation to be a smaller event. -
2020-06-25
“In Mexico City, the Coronavirus Is Bringing Back Aztec-Era ‘Floating Gardens’” - Atlas Obscura
In Mexico, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the revitalization of an ancient, indigenous farming method: chinampas, or floating gardens. As described in Amanda Gokee's article for Atlas Obscura, this indigenous farming method had been in decline for several centuries, but the disruption of Mexico's food supply chain has created an opening for indigenous farmers to sell their produce on the market. According to Gokee, the chinampa system, which dates back to Pre-Columbian times, is one of the most productive agricultural systems in the world. So it is no surprise that it has seen a resurgence thanks to the pandemic. Gokee's article showcases the efforts of one agricultural collective Colectivo Ahuejote, to further develop the use of the chinampa system in the Valley of Mexico. -
2020-07-05
Spain puts region into lockdown again as cases numbers rise
Spain has decided to put a region in Catalonia back into lockdown as case numbers rise. This area of Spain has a population of over 200,00 people. The decision comes as 60 new cases are recorded in a 24 hour span. This news comes as Spain begins to have a slight uptick in new cases. I entered this tweet into the archive for a few different reasons. The main reason was to highlight the drastic measures some nations are taking in order to fully defeat the virus. It only took 60 new cases in a day for an entire region in Spain to be re-locked down. On the other hand, thousands of new daily cases have yet to be enough for some states to full re-lockdown in the US. Spain has also seen a drastic reduction in daily new cases from their peak a few months ago, and actions like this may point to why they have been successful. -
2020-04-03
People encouraged to sign up for CSA
People are being encouraged to sign up for CSA (community supported agriculture) to support local farmers and eat healthy during the pandemic. People stocked up at the grocery store when the pandemic started so it became harder for people to buy certain items. Those who lost jobs have been struggling even more to be able to afford food. #NortheasternJOTPY