Enset: The Tree Against Hunger

This week we take a look at an article highlighting enset. Enset, a cousin of the banana tree, is a native plant to Ethiopia and can provide many benefits to the region and it's people. Read over the article: Solving Hunger in Ethiopia by Turning to Native Crops then use the discussion questions below to guide your conversations. At the end of the article there is a short two minute video that discusses some additional initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is enset such a valuable crop in sub-Saharan Africa? Consider diets, other crops, soil, hunger, etc.
2. The article mentioned that enset does not have the potential to raise farmers out of poverty. Why is this?
3. How do sub-Saharan African farms yields compare to yields around the world? Be specific.
4. Kippie warns against fully committing to "green revolution" practices. What is his reasoning?

Global Ag: Did you know?

This week we feature a piece from agriculture.com that highlights 10 facts you may or may not have known about agriculture globally and how they relate to the United States. I encourage you to view the slide show 10 Global Gleanings and share with others then go through the discussion points below to start up a discussion..

Discussion Points

1. Which slide/fact surprised you the most and why?
2. Were their any slides you found alarming? Explain your response.

We encourage you to do further research as a group or individually on slides that surprised you or alarmed you. What are the facts behind the slide. Do you see this holding constant or changing in the future? Are there things in the world that will change this?

Eggs: To Refrigerate or Not?

The way eggs are stored and produced in the United States and Europe differ greatly. The linked article below does a grade job of comparing production, processing, and storage of eggs and the reasons behind each's practices. Read through the article: Egg Production and Practices: U.S. and EU then use the discussion points below to guide conversations.

Discussion Points

1. How does production, processing, and storage of eggs differ between the United States and the European Union? Why do they do things the way they do?
2. Would you feel comfortable eating eggs produced/processed in the manner opposite of what you are accustomed to? Justify your response.
3. Do some additional research. Research food born illnesses per capita in the United States and the European Union (e-coli, salmonella, etc.). Report your findings and hypothesize why each had the numbers they did.