Green: Similarities between the building and farming industries

The building and farming industries have a lot in common. Consumers now pay extra for organic fruits and vegetables because they know they are getting a higher-quality product. The same can be said of the price tag attached to green homes. Some homebuyers don’t want to pay for the certification to prove their home is green, while others find it a relief to know they are paying a little more for a better product.

When building first became an actual “industry,” builders made a name for themselves by crafting quality, well-constructed homes. But as the industry grew, some builders went the route of the agribusiness farmers, who crank out one type of crop, and began mass-producing one type of home. This not only allowed them to build more homes, but it also greatly increased their profit margin. However, as with the crops produced on such a large scale, the quality—and health—of the homes suffered a bit.