Vol. 33, No.3

Continuing Professional Education Credit

SOY CONNECTION Newsletter Vol. 33, No.3

From Farm to Patient: Understanding Agriculture’s Role in Our Food System awards 1.0 CPEU in accordance with the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Address*

City*

State*

Zip*

I am a*

Referred by*

1. You are having a conversation with a dietetics student about modern farming; she has heard about “regenerative agriculture” and isn’t sure what it is other than a mindset of continuous improvement. What does regenerative farming focus on?

Soil health, resource inefficiencies, and low crop yields.

Soil microbiome, resource inefficiencies, and shared margins.

Soil health, resource efficiencies and profitability.

Soil pH, continuous resource utilization, and low margins.

2. Which of the following tools play a vital role in making regenerative practice scalable and sustainable for today’s farms while maintaining productivity and environmental stewardship?

Precision equipment

Genetic innovation

Older potent pesticides

A and B

3. Regenerative agriculture aims to foster healthier soil. Which one of these attributes does healthier soil contribute to?

Improved water quality

Decreased soil organic matter

Decreased biodiversity

Poorer carbon sequestration

4. The University of Arizona showed cotton growers were able to reduce insecticide use by nearly 90% and increase crop yield and beneficial insects through careful crop protection planning which involved the following:

The frequent use of broad spectrum insecticides, improved scouting methods and no transgenic crops

The use of more selective insecticides, improved scouting methods, and integration of transgenic crops

The use of improved scouting methods and integration of transgenic crops but no pesticides or herbicides

The use of hordes of beneficial insects without planting transgenic crops or pesticides

5. Modern pesticides are designed with precision, targeting specific pests while minimizing unintended effects on humans and the environment and _________safety testing is required before any pesticide is approved for use.

Some

Minimal

Extensive

6. Connie is a patient seeking advice on eating “clean.” Her definition of “clean” is to eat only organic foods to “completely avoid pesticide residues and increase the nutritional quality” of her diet. What does research say about notable differences between organic and conventional crops with respect to pesticide residues?

Organic foods have significantly lower in pesticide residues than conventionally grown crops and the yields are more nutritious and better tasting.

Organic foods have zero pesticide residues and have much higher crop yields than conventional crops allowing for more nutrients in the food.

Organic foods actually have much higher pesticide residues than conventional crops because they have lower overall crop yields, however organic foods are shown to taste better.

Both organic and conventional produce have pesticide residues well within safety limits set by regulatory agencies.

7. In Japan, there is a commercially available tomato that contains increased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its consumption is intended to help lower blood pressure. This food is an example of a ___________.

Genome edited crop

GMO or genetically modified organism crop

Germplasm crop

Conventional crop

8. As a nutrition professional, you are teaching a group of students about farm to table opportunities. A student speaks up and says “I’ve heard all pesticides harm the environment and people; all pesticides should be avoided. If farms would grow only organic crops without pesticides, we could promote healthier farm to table options.” Using the available research, how might you choose to respond?

Pesticides, which encompass herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other related chemicals, are used to manage a wide range of agricultural pests and play a role in supporting sustainable farming practices both today and for future food security.

Crops that limit pesticide use may not produce as much food and organic yields are generally smaller despite similar growing methods and conditions.

The necessity of crop protectants was shown in 2021, when the Sri Lankan government banned the use of pesticides, resulting in an estimated 30% year-over-year loss of its staple tea crop.

All of the above

9. According to a U.S. Soy farmer at Scheier Farms, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):

Reduce pesticide use and minimize tillage, which help protect the soil.

Increase pesticide use and increase tillage, which help protect the soil.

Reduce pesticide use but have no impact on tillage or soil health.

Reduce pesticide use which also reduces the nutrient value of the soybeans.

10. What are some ways soy farming may change in the near future?

Artificial intelligence and remote sensing may be implemented to precisely determine when crops need protection and more pest- and disease-resistant soybean varieties may be grown.

Despite advances in artificial intelligence, it has no place in farming and the expectation is to use more pesticides and reduce soybean yields per acre using minimal planting methods.

Artificial intelligence and remote sensing may be implemented to precisely determine when crops need protection but more pest- and disease-resistant soybean varieties will be avoided because they have no value.

Artificial intelligence and remote sensing to may be implemented to precisely determine when crops need protection but the science is not advancing regarding the benefits of certain soybean crops so more pesticides will be needed.

11. Sustainable farming practices are essential to growing efficiently while preserving the land for future generations. When it comes to soybean farming, which of the following are examples of sustainable farming practices?

Avoid rotating crops and maintain open fields to allow water runoff.

Rotate crops and protect fields with tree shelter belts.

Avoid managing water runoff and put the most productive land into the Conservation Reserve Program.

Rotate crops and avoid grass waterways to maximize water runoff.

12. Soybeans and soy farming are essential to the environment and economy. How does soybean farming contribute to both the environment and the economy?

Although soybeans only contribute $1 billion to the U.S. economy each year, soybeans help with soil health but only if crops are not rotated.

All soybeans go to animal feed which helps the economy and growing soybeans helps the environment through release of amino acids into the soil.

Soybeans are highly versatile and help with soil health, especially when rotated with other crops; soybeans contribute $124 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Soybeans are incredibly versatile, used globally for food, feed, fuel, and industrial products and are a high-quality plant protein but do not contribute much to the economy and do not help with soil health.