Week 8

Leading up to Week 8's lab period:

• The USDA Agricultural Census was consulted for data on farm expenses
• the blog was updated to display the new information
• Our final teamwork assessment was completed

During the lab period:

• Pie charts illustrating census data to compare all U.S. farm and organic farm expense distributions
• The final presentation was developed
• The blog was updated 

Looking forward:

• We plan to complete our presentation for the next lab period
• We plan to make edits and adjustments to out final report based off of the feedback we received from our advisers on our draft
• We will update our policy memo to include our new found data

Week 7

Leading up to Week 7's lab period:

• the project final report draft was written with the goals addressed in the Week 6 post
• policy memo for the USDA was drafted 

Conclusions made:

• there are advantages and disadvantages to both GMO and non-GMO products
• GMOs may have the potential to prosper, however, with corrupt politics and large corporations, the potential benefits are suppressed
• new policies on regulation of GMO product production, including labeling and derivation, are outlined in policy memo
• the monopolizing control can be destroyed with policies regarding the patent system, hindering the control large companies assert on farmers
• labeling of GMO products should be required to be made more thorough as to protect the rights of people to choose whether or not they want to consume GMOs

During the lab period:

• furthered research on patents in the GMO industry
• updated the blog to reflect current progress and standing of the project

Week 6

In week 6 of our project, we discussed:

• We have decided to use the information and life cycle assessment that we have put together to form a foundation in assessing the patent and large corporation presence in the GMO industry
• We want our policy memo to address patents and monopolizing companies and suggest reform
• Next week, our final report draft is due which includes our policy memo
• We are continuing to reach out to local farmers, including Drexel's own Urban Growers
• When writing our report, we will use the information we have collected as well as continuing our research as needed to support our discussion

Week 5

In week 5 of our project, we discussed:

• Discussed tasks to stay on track with our timeline
• We are in contact with Urban Tree Connections, a local Philadelphia farming organization
• Goals:
• complete some blog maintenance
• research the European GMO and organic policies
• Investigate the process of becoming Certified Organic in the United States
• We are conflicted as there are advantages and disadvantages to both GMO and Organic Products and we are looking into finding a happy medium

Week 4

In week 4 of our project, we discussed:

• We have collected a lot of data, however, we had not established a clear position
• Started to develop a pros and cons list for GMOs and non-GMOs
• All sources we consult seem to be extremely biased for wither one side or the other
• Brainstormed ways to quantify our research using data on the USDA website
• Plan to continue to reach out to local farmers

Week 3

In week three of our project, the following was discussed:

• The sources that we individually found were listed under the "Findings" tab
• We decided to focus our research on a local agricultural model
• We have collected dated life cycle assessment data that we plan to update
• Plan to attend a local farmer's market and reach out to local farmers to discuss their views on biotechnology and what their farming practices are
• Started to develop an overview life cycle assessment of GMOs versus non-GMOs

Week 2

In week 2 of our project, the following was discussed:

• Project Proposal was completed
• Research will be conducted for the next few weeks
• Goal: determine the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs versus non-GMOs
• Assess the financial, environmental, and qualitative impact of the use of GMOs versus non-GMOs
• Each group member will individually conduct research and collaborate to combine our findings

Week 1

In week 1 of our project, the following was discussed:

• Group formed
• Theme: GMO-Free Organic Farming in Pennsylvania
• Tasks
• Project Proposal
• Background Research
• Life Cycle Assessment
• Mathematical Modeling
• Conclusion Formation
• Final Report and Policy Memo