David vs. Goliath - animal production (Organic vs. Conventional agriculture)

1. Introduction to the topic

Make presentation or show the class a video about the project 

In recent years, more and more people are appalled by the conditions under which animals are held in modern industrial livestock farms. Not without reason, as numbers of animals held in a small place have soared beyond anything imaginable and, what one would call natural. Apparently, we have a problem regarding how animals are held. And people are increasingly concerned about the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock farming, which ultimately also end up in the food we eat.

Find out how much the class knows about this topic 

Possible questions to ask:

• Do animals on organic farms have more space available to them?
  • Answer: Yes, organic animals have more space available to them.
• What is the concern regarding the conditions under which animals are held in modern industrial livestock farms?
  • Answer: The concern is that numbers of animals held in a small place have soared beyond anything imaginable and that animals are not being held in natural conditions.
• Are growth hormones allowed in organic farming?
  • Answer: No, growth hormones are prohibited in organic farming.
• What is the difference between organic and conventional livestock farming in terms of animal access to the outdoors?
  • Answer: Organic animals need to have access to pasture, while conventionally held animals rarely or never have access to the outdoors.
• What is the main benefit of allowing animals to graze on fresh pasture grass?
  • Answer: Grazing on fresh pasture grass prevents many diseases in organic livestock.
• What is the concern regarding the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock farming?
  • Answer: The concern is that antibiotics ultimately end up in the food we eat.
• Is organic livestock farming better for the animals and the environment?
  • Answer: Yes, generally organic livestock farming is both better for the animals and for the environment.
• What is animal welfare?
  • Answer: Animal welfare refers to the ethical and humane treatment of animals to ensure their well-being and quality of life. It encompasses the consideration of physical, behavioral, and psychological aspects of animals, acknowledging their capacity to experience pleasure, pain, and various emotions. Key components of animal welfare include providing adequate nutrition, proper housing, veterinary care, and opportunities for natural behavior.
• Is it easy to tell if an animal is emotionally well?
  • Answer: No, it's not easy to tell if an animal is emotionally well, given that it can't speak.
• What is the difference between animal breeds in organic and conventional farming?
  • Answer: Organic farmers generally choose more robust, locally adapted animal breeds, while conventional farming and breeding have produced high-yielding animals that might be prone to diseases and require more medical treatments.

Explain what the activity is about and formulate what you expect the students to do and learn -

Step 1. educate  

This activity is about expanding horizons. The students will learn what is the difference between these two ways of livestock farming. In how many ways does it affect the nutrition status of foods, ecosystems and the country? The aim is to make them realise that if we want to make a change, we need to know as much as possible about the given issue. 

Step 2. implement

The student will pick one organic product and one conventional and follow their journey back to the origin (farmer), how the animal was raised and bred, what are the differences in the welfare and farming. The student can also organise a visit to the farm, or contact the farmer online. The aim is to reach out and learn as much as possible about the farming processes from the farmer. The students can also create a business case and find out what is the true cost when considering carbon footprint, and other hidden costs. 

Step 3. present

Create a presentation about the story of a product or animal, in which you describe the story of the animal from its birth to the moment it reaches the consumer. What was his journey, did he have enough space and suitable conditions for growth and did he have a dignified death.

Alternatively, calculate what the real costs are for conventional farming versus organic farming, when considering carbon footprint, and other hidden costs.

2. Introduce students to information materials and resources to start the project

Resources for teachers: 

Organic versus conventional farming, which performs better financially? 

Organic farming in the EU: a decade of growth

Plentiful Lands

CLEAR Center 

3. Research

Help students formulate research questions to find out more data about the issue: 

• How many farms are conventional/organic?
• How many hectares are used for conventional/organic farming? 
• What is the difference in the farming processes?
• Which way of farming is more cost effective? 

Let students do the research: 

• research and make a list of local organic farms in your region - describe the differences on how they produce the food
• create a story of the food 

4. Implementation

Ask students to create a list of reasons why they would prefer organic livestock products.  

5. Reflexion

discuss with students the outcome of the project, define some conclusions on how to further implement it 

discuss with students the outcome of the project 

• At the end of the lesson, what have we learned over the course of the activity? 
• What went well? What not? Why? What can we do to make it better next time? 
• What information do we now have about which foods should be grown organically? 
• Why is organic farming so important to environmental and wildlife conservation?

define some conclusions on how to support organic farming in the following years

6. Presentation

Ask the students to make presentation of the implemented project outcome -

• This could be during a class
• It can also happen over an School Open Day or Parents day
• The school can invite policy makers from the ministry of agriculture

7. Survey

Go to the school canteen and ask whether they take products from organic or conventional farmers, what is the percentage of organic or conventional?