Margaret Shiple

Regenerative agriculture also increases biodiversity, enriches soils, and enhances ecosystem function.  Additionally, it provides healthier environments for the farming and ranching communities.  Regenerative agriculture can actually reverse /slow climate change as it draws carbon from our atmosphere. 

I will make sure to only throw a food item away if it is after the expiration or use-by date.  The best by date sounds like it is more-so a suggestion than a safety concern, so I will ignore this date. 

I dont have any personal connections to farmland in Oregon, which is sad! This lack of personal connection with farmland comes from a disconnect with where my food is sourced from.  I lived in a farming community on Maui for several years and felt very connected with the farmland around me and knew exactly where my food was coming from.  Now that I am in the city in Portland I feel removed from this process and I would like to change that.  Declining farmland is greatly concerning, because it means less biodiversity, more processed food, less healthy soil, etc. 

Its hard to choose which aspect of waste is most detrimental - Though I am particularly sad about the loss of energy.  The energy harnessed to farm/produce food is usually from the burning of fossil fuels, which depletes a finite resource and emits greenhouse gasses into atmosphere. 

I think I often eat quickly and as much as possible in an effort to save time.  Because Im eating quickly, I think I over-eat before my body has a chance to even alert me that I am satiated.  When I over-eat Im more tired, less productive, uncomfortable, etc.  Eating smaller portions will keep myself and the environment healthier.