Category: The Sown Economy— a page dedicated to examining the intersection between sustainability and economics
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Impacts of Immigration Policies on Agriculture and Households
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Around two-thirds of American farmworkers are immigrants, many of whom are legally undocumented. As of now, these individuals have played critical roles amongst the agricultural workforce, supporting the production of fruits, vegetables, and other crops that typically supply grocery stores and dinner tables across the country. As President Donald Trump and others call for stricter…
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U.S. Tariffs and the Agricultural Fallout
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President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, aimed primarily at addressing trade deficits and revitalizing U.S. manufacturing has significantly impacted American agriculture and farmers. Although these tariffs were intended to bolster domestic industries by restricting foreign competition, they caused substantial disruptions within the agricultural sector, which heavily relies on global markets for profitability and sustainability. One immediate consequence…
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Why Have Grocery Costs Gone Up?
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Grocery prices are rising quickly, with many suffering from the steep cost of basic necessities. Yet, why is this the case? Since 2020, the price of groceries has increased by nearly 25%, causing the cost of living for many middle-class American families to go up. There is no single factor to explain this reason. Instead,…
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Feeding the Future: Plant-Based Alternatives
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The global food system is under increasing pressure from climate change and a projected population surge to nearly 10 billion by 2050. In response, plant-based and alternative proteins are gaining momentum as a promising solution–offering both environmental sustainability and enhanced nutritional value for communities around the world. Plant-based proteins include a wide variety of foods…
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Biofortification: Farming for a Healthier World
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In the late 1990s, farmers began using a method called biofortification to increase the quality and sometimes the yield of crops. In this process, the nutritional quality of crops is increased through practices such as artificial selection and genetic modification. These practices aim to strengthen the minerals and vitamins present in biofortified crops. For example,…
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Recent Environmental Laws and Policies in New Jersey
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Recent legislative and policy developments in New Jersey demonstrate a significant commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and public health. A key focus involves the state’s ambitious transition to a clean energy economy, with policy initiatives aimed at achieving 100% renewable electricity generation by 2035. This necessitates strategic investments in grid modernization and the equitable deployment…
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Strengthening Nutrition Assistance Programs in New Jersey
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The 2025 Farm Bill will have significant ramifications for the country’s nutrition assistance programs, placing greater concentration on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is considered the cornerstone of the nation’s food security safety net; it provides critical support each month for more than 41 million individuals, including about 1 million who are New…
