Evolution of Strawberries

Evolution of Strawberries Outline

I. Introduction

A. Strawberry Quote

1. "Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never

did." Dr. William Butlers regards for the strawberry over 400 years ago.

B. Brief summary of what I’ll be writing

1. As I go through the evolution of strawberries, I will be writing on the

history, technology, pesticide problems, health costs and economic influence.

C. Thesis

1. Although they may not appear to have changed, time and technology has

certainly altered strawberries. Techniques on farming strawberries have

developed at an extremely high caliber changing their size, economic

influence, and health risks.

II. Body

A. History/Background

1. The strawberry has been used as the symbol for Venus, to a

medicine by the ancient Romans.

2.Technically not a berry but the biggest part of the stem.

3. Strawberries originated from the Americas.

B. Technology/Change

1. We aren’t actually growing “genuine” strawberries anymore. Now

we are growing a microscopic particle of a strawberry or mother plant

from 5 years ago.

2. Then the microscopic particle is grown till it’s a plant and is sent to

all the other cloned plant to finish growing.

3.Strawberry growing has been mass-produced and change so much

from the original picking them wild or growing them with seeds

C. Pesticides

1. Strawberries have earned top spot on “Dirty Dozen” list.

2. 98% of tested strawberries showed pesticide residue.

3. EPA’s allowed level of residue is still too low to force farmers to cut

back on pesticides.

D. Health Costs

1. A new pesticide called methyl iodide will soon be approved for use

by