Food Project Reflection
For this project we studied the who, what, where, when, and hows of our current food system; who makes and controls our food, what is really in our food, where our food come from, and where it goes. In addition we also looked at when our current food culture and system came about and how the system came about and continues to grow. We then took one concept from our studies to focus on individually and wrote an essay about our perspective on this aspect of the food system.
I really connected to this project, because the food system has always interested me. I am very conscious about my health and have always been interested in finding the alternatives to conventional systems. All of this was a part of my essay and was some of the most fascinating ideas I've ever researched. Over the course of this project, my ideas of the food system have grown tremendously. I have gained a better understanding of why it is so important to be conscious about your health and food choices and why we, as a nation, should strive for these practical alternatives. I have realized that there is not just a right or wrong way, but we individually and as communities must find what works for us. I have also realized that I want to help make a change to better the entire system using methods around the world shown to improve three major aspects of life by creating environmental health, economic stability and social empowerment. Aside from the main goal of changing our food system, which is currently only benefitting major corporations, I have smaller goals such as know you farmer, know your food, eat local and organic, and modify consumption of processed foods.
Throughout the process of this quite complex project, that took a lot of thought and time, I experienced some challenges. Picking a topic was actually quite easy seeing how interested I was in alternatives already. However, as I got further into my research, I realized how complicated my topic was and had a hard time sifting through all the information I had gathered. I finally decided to focus on complimentary agricultural systems. That in itself was a hurdle I had to jump over, but the real challenge was actually getting all my thoughts and facts into my paper. I had so many ideas in my head and opinions of change and hope, but was confused on how to put it all into my essay in a clean and concise way. Due to this struggle, I didn't see the layout of my essay get accomplished the way I had imagined it. Although it came together in a different way, it still greatly expressed my thoughts of hope for the food system and why and how we should change it.
Looking back, I have learned that it is easier for me to make an outline with some background research and get rolling. It is easier for me to research along the way. That way, I don't get more research then I can deal with, and I can get only the needed research to make my essay strong and express my opinion. However, in the beginning I didn't do this and I regret that. A fair amount of the research I did the week before I started my essay didn't have a place in my writing and wasted some time that could have been spent writing down my vision. In the future, I would like to start with a solid outline that I know would incorporate everything I wanted to express. Then I would like to do some necessary research to get my ideas flowing and my essay headed in the right direction. Along the way, I would do most of my research, and I feel my essay would fully embody my thoughts as well as use my research effectively.
When trying to navigate one's personal food dilemma, I think it is extremely necessary to research your options. So often people just follow the mainstream without really knowing why, or whether it is a good match for their lifestyle or health. Because my family researched so much about the different options our food system offers us, I have been fortunate to eat healthy and know about the food I am eating. If one can understand the options, they will have a much better chance at being able to navigate through a complex system that honestly may never be completely navigable.
I really connected to this project, because the food system has always interested me. I am very conscious about my health and have always been interested in finding the alternatives to conventional systems. All of this was a part of my essay and was some of the most fascinating ideas I've ever researched. Over the course of this project, my ideas of the food system have grown tremendously. I have gained a better understanding of why it is so important to be conscious about your health and food choices and why we, as a nation, should strive for these practical alternatives. I have realized that there is not just a right or wrong way, but we individually and as communities must find what works for us. I have also realized that I want to help make a change to better the entire system using methods around the world shown to improve three major aspects of life by creating environmental health, economic stability and social empowerment. Aside from the main goal of changing our food system, which is currently only benefitting major corporations, I have smaller goals such as know you farmer, know your food, eat local and organic, and modify consumption of processed foods.
Throughout the process of this quite complex project, that took a lot of thought and time, I experienced some challenges. Picking a topic was actually quite easy seeing how interested I was in alternatives already. However, as I got further into my research, I realized how complicated my topic was and had a hard time sifting through all the information I had gathered. I finally decided to focus on complimentary agricultural systems. That in itself was a hurdle I had to jump over, but the real challenge was actually getting all my thoughts and facts into my paper. I had so many ideas in my head and opinions of change and hope, but was confused on how to put it all into my essay in a clean and concise way. Due to this struggle, I didn't see the layout of my essay get accomplished the way I had imagined it. Although it came together in a different way, it still greatly expressed my thoughts of hope for the food system and why and how we should change it.
Looking back, I have learned that it is easier for me to make an outline with some background research and get rolling. It is easier for me to research along the way. That way, I don't get more research then I can deal with, and I can get only the needed research to make my essay strong and express my opinion. However, in the beginning I didn't do this and I regret that. A fair amount of the research I did the week before I started my essay didn't have a place in my writing and wasted some time that could have been spent writing down my vision. In the future, I would like to start with a solid outline that I know would incorporate everything I wanted to express. Then I would like to do some necessary research to get my ideas flowing and my essay headed in the right direction. Along the way, I would do most of my research, and I feel my essay would fully embody my thoughts as well as use my research effectively.
When trying to navigate one's personal food dilemma, I think it is extremely necessary to research your options. So often people just follow the mainstream without really knowing why, or whether it is a good match for their lifestyle or health. Because my family researched so much about the different options our food system offers us, I have been fortunate to eat healthy and know about the food I am eating. If one can understand the options, they will have a much better chance at being able to navigate through a complex system that honestly may never be completely navigable.