Rooftop Farming in Asia

 The largest rooftop farm in Asia is highlighted in the link below. This rooftop farm can produce over 20 tons of food annually. We encourage you to explore the piece linked and be sure to click on the cluster of images that will take you to a slide show with further information. We have provided discussion questions below to spark conversation with others around the globe.

Asia's Largest Organic Rooftop

Discussion Points

• What was most surprising and/or intriguing regarding the rooftop farm and why?
• Describe the different environmental benefits of this featured rooftop farm?
• Would a rooftop farm like this be accepted in your home country, state, or city? Why or why not?
• How could you take various concepts from this rooftop farm and utilize in different settings around your local community and/or around the world? Get creative!

Global Agricultural and Food Markets

The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations launches September 23rd. In leading up to it's launch a couple personnel with the FAO highlight some key points and challenges facing us. We encourage you to watch the linked videos below and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe!

Interview with Maximo Torero

Interview with George Rapsomanikis

Discussion Points

• After watching the two videos what stuck with you? What was alarming? Why?
• What were some of the food/hunger challenges mentioned in the videos?
• Why is global trade so important to our food systems? What is the benefit of reducing trade barriers for the food system?
• If we reduce trade barriers for the food system is there the possibility for unintended consequences? Does this look different depending which country you call home? Explain your thoughts?

Feeding a Growing or Declining Population?

 Is our world population on a trend to increase or decrease? Many models show an increase, but some models show a decrease in the long run. Linked below is a story that includes text and a video from the U.S. Farm Report that highlights these discrepancies. We encourage you to explore the text and video linked and utilize the discussion points provided to engage with others in conversation around the globe.

Is agriculture feeding a growing or declining population?

Discussion Points

• What are your initial reactions/thoughts?
• What factors mentioned in the article could cause an increase or decrease in world population? What are other factors that were not mentioned in this piece? Share reasoning with your thoughts.
• Do the different models potentially change the way we look at things in agriculture and food production? Explain your thoughts.
• With data shared and additional research what do you predict our world population to look like in the near and distant future? Why?

Small Island Developing States Food Systems Struggle

COVID-19 is impacting everyone around the world, but some of the hardest hit areas are small island developing states. A video shared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlights the struggles these small island developing states are facing. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points to engage with others around the globe!

Small Island Developing States Hit Hard

Discussion Points

• Why are small island developing states being so heavily impacted by COVID-19 and how does this create a domino effect that impacts the food supply system?
• Watch the video twice. One time focus on the text and the other time focusing on the images. What surprises you or do you notice when focusing on the text and then the images? 
• Towards the end of the video we are challenged. It's stated that, "Now is the time to transform our food systems and our future." 
• Do you agree this is a need and why?
• If you agree, how do we go about transforming our food systems? Does this look different in small island developing states versus your local community (explain your reasoning)?

China Suspends Meat Imports from Some Processors

 There is no doubt that COVID-19 has disrupted our food systems. This week we take a look at the global impact that is occurring. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to further guide your conversations around the world.

Why is China suspending imports?

Discussion Points

• Why is there a concern for some meats being imported into China? 
• Is this a valid concern? Do some further investigating...what does the science say? Share your sources with your findings.
• How could these import suspensions impact the global meat supply? 
• Will these actions impact your home community or country? Why or why not?

World Crop Production

We often hear that agriculture has a global impact, but do we take time to dig into things deeper? This week we highlight the monthly report from the United States Department of Agriculture looking at World Agricultural Production. Past reports can be found here. We encourage you to look through the linked report below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe!

World Agricultural Production May 2020

Discussion Points

• What piece of information or graph did you find most interesting/intriguing and why?
• The tables towards the end of the report highlight 16 different crops being produced around the world. Of the 16 crops, 12 crops are seeing an increase in production. Take a further look at these tables. What factors could be contributing to these increases? What does this mean for global markets? 
• The report shows increased production for many crops. In reality, most parts of the world (but not all) produce enough food to feed their country and collectively feed the world. If this is the case why do we find individuals that are food insecure everywhere in the world? What can we do to combat these challenges?

Food Security and COVID-19

This week we highlight a video from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs featuring Roger Thurow. This is part of their "Wait Just a Minute" series. We encourage you to watch the linked video, on food security, and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe!

Wait Just a Minute: Roger Thurow on Food Security

Discussion Points

• How has COVID-19 impacted food security at home and abroad?
• Why is hunger an ignored issue in the USA? If you live outside of the USA is hunger an ignored issue in your home country? Why or why not?
• Share your ideas on fighting food insecurity both locally and around the globe.
• The final question asked of Roger is, "What gives you hope?" What gives you hope personally in regards to food security?