Monocropping: Why Growing One Crop Is a Big Problem

What Is Monocropping?

Monocropping means planting only one type of crop over a large area. Think of endless rows of corn, soybeans, or wheat. This method is standard in modern industrial farming. It looks neat and efficient. But beneath the surface, it creates serious problems.

It didn't always work this way. Traditional growers planted different crops together. They rotated crops each season. They protected the soil and invited biodiversity. Monocropping replaced those systems with one goal: grow as much of one thing as possible, as fast as possible. 

What's the Problem?

Growing just one crop again and again harms the land and the plants. Here's how:

• Soil gets weak. Each plant takes the same nutrients from the soil. Over time, the soil runs out of key minerals.

• Pests take over. If one crop fills the whole field, pests that love that crop can spread fast.

• Diseases spread easily. One sick plant can lead to many more. There's no diversity to slow it down.

• Chemicals increase. To fight pests and poor soil, farmers often use more pesticides and fertilizers. These can pollute water, kill pollinators, and affect human health.

• Less resilience. One crop means one risk. If a storm, disease, or drought hits, the whole farm can fail.

This approach may look efficient, but it's fragile. And the damage isn't always visible until it's too late.

How Did We Get Here?

In the United States, government subsidies often reward farmers for growing large amounts of a single crop like corn, soybeans, wheat, or cotton.

These subsidies were created to stabilize food prices and support rural economies, but they unintentionally encourage monocropping.

Farmers are more likely to plant the same crop year after year because it's safer financially, even if it damages the soil or reduces biodiversity.

This system makes it harder for small growers to diversify, leading to a food supply focused on bulk ingredients rather than fresh, healthy produce.

What Happens to the Food?

Monocropped plants are often bred for shelf life, size, and how easily they can be shipped. That sounds helpful, but it often means less flavor, lower nutrition, and fewer natural defenses.

These crops are usually turned into processed foods or animal feed, not fresh food for people. But we eat the animals that eat this pesticide-ridden food.  

What Kids Can Do

You can't fix industrial farms overnight, but you can grow differently.

• Plant variety. Mix herbs, flowers, vegetables, and fruits in one space.

• Rotate your crops. Don't plant the same thing in the same place every time.

• Add pollinator plants. Bees and butterflies need diversity.

• Compost. Feed your soil instead of depleting it.

• Learn from nature. Forests don't grow one tree. They grow many, together.

Activity: Monocrop vs Polycrop Observation

Try this at home or school:

1. Plant one tray with only one kind of seed (like lettuce).

2. Plant another tray with three or four types (lettuce, radish, basil, chives).

3. Observe how they grow. Do pests show up? Which one stays healthier longer?

Take notes. Draw pictures. Compare root growth, leaf color, and soil condition.

The Lesson

Monocropping may look easy, but it costs more than we think. Healthy soil, strong plants, and safe food all depend on diversity.

When we grow many things, we protect the future.

Let's grow a future together.

Adapt Your Table