Urgent Need for Families to Become Food Self-Sufficient NOW

The following recap is taken from a study published by the Harvard
University School of Business. Titled Food Security and the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it was published September 25,
2007 as N9-507-068. They were trying to determine if the LDS Church
had some answers that others could learn from. A copy of the article
is posted in the Files section, for anyone who cares to read it.

The problems it identifies are very real, and should help everyone
realize that the days of cheap food are behind us. In addition to
everything listed below is the greatly increased cost of all
fertilizers, and the removal from the market of the best nitrogen
fertilizer. This alone is already substantially increasing our food
costs.

Inventories of Food Staples Are Declining – US grain supplies at 57
days, or a 34 year low. Zimbabwe is at 2 days' supply. US food
surpluses no longer exist!

Forty countries are suffering food shortages already.

Agriculture consumes 93% of available water.

Factors putting world food supplies at risk or increasing costs
include:

Global Warming – More than 20% of viable crop land will be gone by
2050. By 2050 1/6th of the world's grain production will be lost
just between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Other locations will suffer
production losses on a smaller scale. Total impact could be 40-50%
reduction in viable crop land.

Natural Disasters – Hurricane Katrina caused over $1 billion in crop
losses.

Disease – Mad Cow, Bird Flu, and the Chinese Pig Virus that killed 1
million pigs.

Bio-Terrorist Attack – The potential impact from dangerous
microorganisms getting into the food supply is considered to be
extreme. Imported food accounts for 260# per person per year,
with only 1% inspected by FDA.

Population Growth – 80 million people born each year – The US
population will double by 2050.

Increased Meat Consumption – In the EU more grains are used to feed
animals than people.

Reduced Bee Population – "The biggest threat to the US food supply"
according to one USDA official. 1/4th of our diet comes from plants
pollinated by bees.

Ethanol Production – Land devoted to bio-fuel production increased
48% from 2006 to 2007. 1/6th of all agricultural land is projected
to be used for ethanol by 2009.

Reduced Available Land – Agricultural land is fast being reduced by
conversion to meat production, bio-fuels, and homes.

Available Land Prices Increasing – increased value of crops drove
prices up 14% in 2007.

Food Contamination – Food-borne diseases kill 5000 and sicken
76,000,000 yearly.

Increased Meat Consumption – Within 10 years the world's people will
eat 25% more poultry, 30% more beef, and 50% more pork.

Water Scarcity from many factors including more people, more meat
consumption, and more bio-fuel production – 25 gallons of water will
grow 1# of wheat, 2,500 gallons are required per 1# meat.

Shortages & Price Increases – Before WW II 1/3rd of family
income was spent on food. In developing countries it is the same or
worse today. In America 1/10th of income was spent on food in
2006, but now is increasing quickly.

Vegetable oil inventories are down – due to ethanol production.

Low milk inventories have caused dramatically higher milk and cheese
prices due to fewer farms and feed stocks being used for ethanol
production.