http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/keyword/agriculture Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Sat, 09 May 2026 12:17:47 -0400 Sat, 09 May 2026 12:17:47 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1903/from-flourishing-industrial-slavocracy-to-restrictive-tenancy-and-re-enslavement-the-southern-labor-force-before-and-after-the-civil-war By Mang Lu - Some scholars of American history suggest the institution of slavery was dying out on the eve of the Civil War, implying the Civil War was fought over more generic, philosophical states' rights principles rather than slavery itself. Economic evidence shows this conclusion is largely incorrect; the industrial slavocracy of the south was thriving—Southern aristocrats had every reason to fight the prospect of abolition, for the Southern economy and capital structure was almost exclusively on the ownership of Black men and women. After the war, repression continued through economic means, as... Tue, 25 May 2021 09:44 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1903/from-flourishing-industrial-slavocracy-to-restrictive-tenancy-and-re-enslavement-the-southern-labor-force-before-and-after-the-civil-war http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1856/problems-and-solutions-in-factory-farming-the-role-of-institutions-capital-and-rhetoric By Cael Jones - This paper examines the intricacies of factory farming by analyzing its social, political, economic, and environmental impacts in an age of capitalist consumption. Factory farming has become a pervasive institution with which most Americans engage on a daily basis by consuming meat and other animal derivatives. This mode of food production has vastly exacerbated the effects of climate change while creating a plethora of health, ecological and social problems. My research utilizes sentiment analysis to reveal the nature of factory farm discourse. Understanding the use of rhetoric is important because... Mon, 04 Jan 2021 01:25 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1856/problems-and-solutions-in-factory-farming-the-role-of-institutions-capital-and-rhetoric http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1537/the-economic-argument-for-expanding-gmo-regulation-in-america By Daniel M. Weinzapfel - The necessity to grow crops faster and more efficiently has long been a goal for the agriculture industry. Now, through the development of GMOs, this goal is being achieved. However, many critics doubt the reputation of GMOs, instead arguing that we must be more wary of the relatively new science. Overall, the general trend among scholarly authors is that GMOs should be regulated more strictly, as the benefits of increased GMO regulation outweigh the state of the current system. Most scholarly discussions have moved past the perspective that GMOs should be regulated because of health concerns... Thu, 09 Feb 2017 11:38 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1537/the-economic-argument-for-expanding-gmo-regulation-in-america http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1509/commercialization-of-biochar-and-the-benefits-for-climate-change-and-agriculture By Nate D. Van Beilen - Biochar is biomass that has been converted into charcoal through the pyrolysis process. Biochar is applied into soils for carbon sequestration or for improving soil fertility. The carbon bonds in biochar are very stable and do not break down easily which makes biochar a long term carbon storage solution. The physical structure of biochar improves soil fertility by decreasing soil tensile strength and bulk density. Biochar also acts as a soil aggregate which provides habitat for microorganisms. Additionally, the porosity of biochar improves nutrient and water retention in soils thereby improving... Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:58 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1509/commercialization-of-biochar-and-the-benefits-for-climate-change-and-agriculture http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1556/applying-the-centrifugal-organizational-model-for-pastoralists-and-other-competing-communities-on-the-ethiopian-landscape-and-the-shift-to-agriculture-after-1975 By EliSabeth Noe - For the past four decades, pastoralist activities have been pushed to marginal areas in several regions of Ethiopia. This change was initiated by the Agrarian Land Reform Proclamation of 1974. Pastoralist activities prior to the agrarian reforms were strongly connected to the Earth and developed symbiotically. A connection to the Earth through symbiotic relationships has been shown to foster sustainability. This paper applies the centrifugal organizational model, originally synthesized in the field of plant community ecology, to the changing environment and pastoralism in Ethiopia, demonstrates... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1556/applying-the-centrifugal-organizational-model-for-pastoralists-and-other-competing-communities-on-the-ethiopian-landscape-and-the-shift-to-agriculture-after-1975 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1529/effects-of-conventional-and-organic-agricultural-techniques-on-soil-ecology By Nate Van Beilen - This paper explores the differing effects that conventional and organic agriculture have on soil ecosystems. The findings are primarily based on a review of published literature found in journal articles and government reports. Conventional agriculture is found to generally have higher yields than organic agriculture. However, the monetary benefits of high yielding conventional agriculture systems use monoculture cropping, tilling, pesticides, and fertilizers that have a significant negative effect on the natural processes soil ecosystems. As a result, these natural process need to be replaced... Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1529/effects-of-conventional-and-organic-agricultural-techniques-on-soil-ecology http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1184/impact-of-nitrogen-fertilization-on-arbuscular-mycorrhizal-fungi-abundance-in-association-with-panicum-virgatum By Elana V. Feldman - Energy researchers have recently taken interest in the use of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a biofuel. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which are known to increase plant acquisition of nutrients through a symbiotic relationship, may be used alongside nitrogen fertilizers to promote optimum biomass yield for the production of biofuels. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of nitrogen input on the abundance of AMF to anticipate biomass yield. Samples from two years and varying nitrogen treatments were analyzed for glomalin related soil protein and extra-radical hyphae to determine... Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:13 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1184/impact-of-nitrogen-fertilization-on-arbuscular-mycorrhizal-fungi-abundance-in-association-with-panicum-virgatum http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1584/indias-anti-gmo-rhetoric-wielding-gandhian-thought-to-undermine-corporate-capitalist-agriculture By Julia Sullivan - As a predominantly rural and densely populated developing nation, India is positioned at the vanguard of the global debate surrounding GMOs. As concerns related to food security mount, what transpires in India is of great importance. Citizens' collective memory of the country's colonial experience and Gandhi's role as an independence leader, however, have made for a poignant encounter with biotechnology. A range of diverse anti-GMO civil society groups have risen to the fore, some of which, despite not having come together on a cohesive campaign, articulate their organizational objectives through... Sun, 31 May 2015 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1584/indias-anti-gmo-rhetoric-wielding-gandhian-thought-to-undermine-corporate-capitalist-agriculture http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/965/important-distinctions-between-labels-and-certifications-and-why-they-matter By Inho Choi - When browsing the grocery aisle, consumers are bombarded with and confused by a myriad of special labels. “Organic,” “whole grain,” “all natural,” and “cage-free,” are just some of the more popular ones. Originally intended to help consumers differentiate products by communicating meaningful information about what the products contain and how they were produced, these labels now merely confuse consumers while giving retailers the opportunity to charge premiums on specially labeled items. Clearly, there is a need to educate the general public about... Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:47 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/965/important-distinctions-between-labels-and-certifications-and-why-they-matter http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/951/understanding-organics-at-the-grassroots-level-an-analysis-of-ecuadorian-and-canadian-perceptions By Jason Bradshaw - There is a growing public concern over the genetic alteration and use of chemicals in conventionally produced agriculture. The perceived risk of such agricultural production has prompted the rising popularity of organic alternatives in both developed and developing nations. These products are defined by their reliance on traditional means that do not require the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides in their production. The organic movement in South America has been defined not only by perceived risks, but also by a desire to preserve traditional ways of life. This is accomplished through grants... Tue, 30 Sep 2014 04:36 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/951/understanding-organics-at-the-grassroots-level-an-analysis-of-ecuadorian-and-canadian-perceptions http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/908/regulating-gmos-in-the-united-states-and-europe-the-political-and-economic-drivers-behind-monsantos-agricultural-biotechnology-business By David C. Shishido - Scholars, the media, and activist groups often attribute the difference in regulatory approaches to cultural "soft" factors, characterized by a precautionary approach and cultural aversion to genetically modified (GM) agriculture in the EU, and general ignorance of agricultural bioengineering in America. While relevant, these cultural factors focus more on the impact, rather than the cause, of Monsanto's dichotomized fiscal success on opposite sides of the Atlantic. They also discredit a U.S. history replete with both strong public interest advocacy and risk-averse health legislation that has... Sun, 17 Aug 2014 09:13 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/908/regulating-gmos-in-the-united-states-and-europe-the-political-and-economic-drivers-behind-monsantos-agricultural-biotechnology-business http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/967/the-gm-crop-network-an-overview-of-the-environmental-political-economic-and-human-health-contexts-surrounding-bt-corn By Alexander Razavi - Plant science, agriculture, and human medicine are all disciplines linked to the GM conversation, but is this connection the same for economics and politics? How do seed patenting rights, pursuits to increase farm yields, and global food demands affect the cultivation of these crops? Complexity can indeed quickly overshadow this dialogue about genes and food, further increasing the existent barrier between food producers and consumers. Thus, evaluating the overall success of genetically modified crops requires a case-by-case analysis and an evaluation of their respective agricultural, human health... Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:01 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/967/the-gm-crop-network-an-overview-of-the-environmental-political-economic-and-human-health-contexts-surrounding-bt-corn http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/966/a-new-approach-to-ohio-pig-farming By Hannah Bidigare-Curtis - Although current methods of pig farming now allow cheap pork availability to consumers throughout America, they come at high costs. Through interviews with Ohio pig farmers and research on current and historical developments in the industry, this article explains how the industry has achieved its current methods of production, how consumers and farmers are affected, and where everything should be headed in the near future. There are and will continue to be aspects of pig farming that affect the health of the general public and the health of future generations, and they need to be addressed in... Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:01 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/966/a-new-approach-to-ohio-pig-farming http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/964/is-the-switch-to-organic-soybeans-possible By Chris Everett - Soybeans first appeared on the world stage when Chinese farmers began cultivating them around 1100 B.C. (North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, Inc.). The plant quickly spread to the rest of Southeast Asia and became an integral part of the regional diet. In the 1700s, the soybean debuted in Europe, occurring only after the success and subsequent demand for soy sauce. Soybean cultivation in the United States began in the late 1700s, but it wasn’t until the late 1800s that soybeans were planted on a large scale and, even then, they were usually used as forage for livestock (North Carolina... Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:01 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/964/is-the-switch-to-organic-soybeans-possible http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/890/the-consequences-of-food-waste By Kyra K. Payne - The copious amounts of forgotten and disregarded food that are tossed mindlessly into our landfills are a global travesty of massive proportions. Americans alone waste enough food in a day to transform the Rose Bowl, a football stadium capable of seating 90,000 people, into a landfill (Bloom, 2010). As an affluent nation, securely cushioned by wealth and privilege, America expends vast resources to feed its population, producing over 590 billion pounds of food annually and simultaneously squandering between 25 and 50 percent of the food that is produced (Bloom, 2010). In a recent study by the... Tue, 22 Apr 2014 10:52 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/890/the-consequences-of-food-waste http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/858/the-price-of-development-the-importance-of-preserving-local-agricultural-lands By A. Rachelle Foss - Regardless of the fact that we have long been warned of the negative impact of industrial farming, rural communities are being wiped out as local producers, like Riverbend Gardens, are put at risk in favour of urban expansion. The industrial food production industry is unsustainable, leading to increased energy consumption and food costs because of the gross use of energy to transport food hundreds kilometres from where it is produced. Toxic chemicals used to combat swarms of pests that are nurtured by acres of single crop farming have lead to the increase of these substances in our environment... Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:39 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/858/the-price-of-development-the-importance-of-preserving-local-agricultural-lands http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/856/roots-tendrils-sprouts-and-shoots-a-case-study-of-parkallens-community-garden-a-permaculture-project By Marlene Wurfel - The first growing season of Edmonton’s Parkallen Community Garden began in Spring 2012. We transformed an unused strip of lawn bordering our hockey rink into a loamy, thriving “edible food forest” of corn, beans, squash, kale, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, apple trees, and mammoth sunflowers. It is unlike most community gardens in that individual plots are not tended by individual gardeners; rather, the PCG is tended communally, by the community. The garden is open and accessible to the community, always, and all are welcome there, from the toddler whose only contribution is to... Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:04 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/856/roots-tendrils-sprouts-and-shoots-a-case-study-of-parkallens-community-garden-a-permaculture-project http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1083/food-security-in-the-contemporary-world-making-security-sustainable By William Barnes - The concept of food security is dynamic; it has been changing to incorporate new ideas over the years since it was established. In this piece, I will argue that if cultural acceptability is to be added as a tenant of food security then so must sustainability. Cultural acceptability addresses the needs of various ethnicities, for example providing kosher foods for the Jewish population and halal foods for the followers of Islam. Since there is a new focus on the environment with initiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol, this piece concludes further that sustainability should also be an integral part... Wed, 01 Jan 2014 07:58 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1083/food-security-in-the-contemporary-world-making-security-sustainable http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/769/rural-urban-migration-and-agricultural-transformation-in-india-observing-the-impact-on-childhood-migration-from-bihar-to-new-delhi By Daniel A. Rosenblum - This paper addresses the agricultural transformations occurring in India in relation to the migration of children from rural to urban centers. With a shifting system of landholding, climatic changes, increasing mechanization and industrialization of agriculture, and new development projects, the agrarian system in rural India is rapidly changing. Based on fieldwork conducted in India, interviews with local experts and urban/rural informants, this paper draws connections between the transformations occuring in the agricultural sector with the increase in the number of children running away to major... Mon, 07 Oct 2013 11:57 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/769/rural-urban-migration-and-agricultural-transformation-in-india-observing-the-impact-on-childhood-migration-from-bihar-to-new-delhi http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/538/was-adopting-agriculture-our-biggest-mistake-challenging-the-progressivist-view-of-human-history By Kirsti J. Robertson - “The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race” is the embodiment of anti-progressivist theory. Jared Diamond challenges the claim “that human history over the past million years has been a long tale of progress,” with a rebuttal suggesting that our "worst mistake" was transitioning from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to one dominated by agriculture. Indeed, data collected from surviving hunter-gatherer populations shows “the average time devoted each week to obtaining food is only 12 to 19 hours for one group of Bushmen [and] 14 hours or less for the Hadza nomads... Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/538/was-adopting-agriculture-our-biggest-mistake-challenging-the-progressivist-view-of-human-history