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Plant Science, Biotechnology, & Agriculture

Farmers and Scientists on Long Island

Three Deep Dives into Local History from the Roaring Twenties to the Atomic Age

The Upshot: The history of science and the history of agriculture go hand in hand. The story of farmers and scientists on Long Island in the twentieth century connects biotechnology, the terror and excitement of the atomic age and the ups and downs of the global economy. Looking at these big themes on a small stage illuminates an important phase of the island’s history and its connections to the wider world. Want to find out more? Leap into any of the three long reads below.

Slideshow: Farmers and Scientists on Long Island

Plants need nitrogen to grow, but a significant portion of the nitrogen in fertilizers is not absorbed by the soil or used by the growing plants. Rather, it washes away into waterways, rivers, and the ocean. This in turn has had devastating effects on marine life. In some areas, excessive nitrogen in the oceans has caused algae blooms that kill wildlife, make it dangerous for people to consume fish or shellfish or in some cases even swim in affected waters. This problem isn’t limited to poorer countries. Nitrogen pollution is a serious problem here on Long Island. In our case, the nitrogen comes primarily from septic tanks and cesspools, although nitrogen from agricultural fertilizers also plays a role. Nitrogen pollution in the waters around Long Island has hampered fishing, made it dangerous to eat seafood from some areas, and caused environmental changes that make coastal areas more prone to flooding.