tedx - cotton rohrscheib

Biting the Hand that Feeds UsExploring the Importance of Agriculture to Our Future


Growing up on the Farm…

Lexa, ArkansasPopulation: 268



• Survived the “Great Depression”

• 7 Children, 14 Grandchildren

• 33 Great-Grandchildren

• Started a Successful Farming Operation

• Now Operating 3 Generations Later

• No Formal Education


Remembering the 1970-80’s

• U.S. Farmers were doing well in the beginning.

• High European Demand Drove Market Prices Up.

• Soviet Union Invaded Afghanistan

• Political Tension Forced an Embargo

• U.S. Farmers had Ramped Up Production

• Farmers were unable to repay loans…


Remembering the 1970-80’s

• Banks began Foreclosures

• Farmers were frustrated with the Government

• Tractorcade ’79 was organized

• Farmers drove to Washington D.C. on their Tractors

• Eventually they would receive Farm Subsidies & Crop Insurance

• It was too late for many small farms…


Occupational Hazards…

• Climate Change

• Rising Costs of Production

• Theft & Loss Prevention

• Unfair Markets / Trade Disadvantages

• 2nd Highest Suicide Rate by Profession





BRAND NEW: $10, 345 40+ yrs Later: $17,000



$500,000.00 est. $500,000.00 est.

• In 1866, a Farmer sold his Wheat for $2.06 per bushel

• In 1966, a Farmer sold his Wheat for $1.63 per bushel

• In 1914, a Box of Corn Flakes sold for .10 cents a box.

• In 2014, a Box of Corn Flakes sold for $4.19 a box.

* Prices do not reflect farm subsidies





This truckload of Wheat will produce:

• Approx. 42,000 loaves of Bread

• Estimated Value is $84,000

• The Farmer was paid $5,240

* Prices do not reflect farm subsidies


Feeding the World…



• Everyday 25,000 People Die from Starvation & Malnutrition

• 5 Children Die Every Minute from Malnutrition

• Hunger Kills More People that Aids, Malaria, Cancer, and Tuberculosis

• The World’s Richest 20% Consume 80% of the Worlds Food

• The World’s Poorest 20% Consume 1.5% of the Worlds Food



• 20-50% of the Food Produced is Wasted.

• Enough Food is Produced for Everyone to have 2700 Calories Per Day

• Most of the Corn we Produce is Converted to Ethanol

• Did you know that Arkansas is the leading Rice Producer in the U.S.?


2050: Feeding 9 Billion

• The United Nations Report Estimates 9 Billion People by 2050

• In the Next 50 Years we need to Produce More Food than we have the last 10,000

• Food, Water and Energy Shortages cause Civil Unrest

• It’s the “Perfect Storm”


What Can We Do?

• We have to accept the challenge immediately.

• We have to reduce waste.

• We have to work together.

• We have to make sure our farmers are profitable.

• We have to embrace technology to increase production.

• We have to change the way we live today.

• We have to support innovation.


Technology to Embrace

• Automation / Robots / Drones / Crop Sensors

• Grain Storage Solutions

• Global Grain Trading

• GMO / BT Seed Technology

• Farm Management Tools

• GPS / Precision Agriculture

• Expand 4G Networks

• Farm Management Tools


Thank a Farmer!

How Can We Produce More Food?

How Can We Produce More Food?If we reduced our dependence on Ethanol, we could then re-allocate the

acreage currently dedicated to Ethanol (corn) to a more suitable food crop.

Example: Edamame.

How Can We Reduce Our Dependence on Ethanol?

How Can We Reduce Our Dependence on Ethanol?We need to adopt new automotive technology like the TESLA. We could re-

open Detroit and put people back to work building smarter automobiles.

How Can We Decrease Energy Costs?

How Can We Decrease Energy Costs?We need to adopt new energy technology like TESLA. Their new PowerWall

technology retails for $3,000 and can typically power your home. In some

cases 2 units may be needed.

These units last 10 years.

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