Image: Ein Bauer beim Düngen in Oberndorf/Melk, Mostviertel in Österreich by Thomas Steiner

1. "Modern", mechanized farming relies heavily on equipment to replace people and chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides to make crops grow.

2. Oil is used to drive the production of most fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

3. When we look at the "corn ethanol" debate on stunning fact becomes clear. We are using a lot of oil to produce the food we eat each day!

4. We then use a lot more energy to truck that food all over the nation rather than growing and distributing products more locally.

5. We use oil to provide energy and raw materials to:
    (a) produce fertilizers , herbicides and pesticides
    (b) distribute fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides
    (c) power farm equipment
    (d) truck the hundreds or thousands of miles food from where it is grown to where it is consumed

WHEN YOU ADD IT ALL UP THE ENERGY INPUT FROM OIL THAT IS USED TO GROW FOOD, THE FOOD ENERGY (CALORIC) VALUE IS AT BEST EQUAL TO AND ACTUALLY LESS THAN THE INPUT ENERGY. WE ARE INDIRECTLY FEEDING OURSELVES WITH OIL AND WE ARE NOT VERY EFFICIENT ABOUT IT!!

6. What you can do to create a better future:
    (a) Buy pesticide free products
    (b) Buy produce grown within 50 miles (80 km) of your home
    (c) Plant a small vegetable garden at home - fertilized with compost your own kitchen wastes – without the use of herbicides and pesticides – and enjoy great tasting,  fresh, safer, healthier food.