Comments on: Next Generation of Family Farmers— Part 2 http://cookingupastory.com/next-generation-of-family-farmers%e2%80%94-part-2 An online television show (and blog) about food and sustainable living Tue, 22 May 2012 14:46:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: DHhttp://cookingupastory.com/next-generation-of-family-farmers%e2%80%94-part-2/comment-page-1#comment-34753 DH Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:53:07 +0000 http://cookingupastory.com/?p=4399#comment-34753 Actually, Michael Pollan has it terribly wrong. Agricultural policy began in earnest with the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. This, of course, was in response to both the Depression and the Dust Bowl. The "industrialization" as it is termed here began not with a reliance on fossil fuels, but in a severe lack of labor due to WWII (actually, it began before that, but the pace was greatly accelerated by the war). At the end of the war, most of that labor returned not to the farm, but tract homes and factory jobs. The reliance on mechanization and chemicals is due in part to ever-increasing demand for food (higher prices), higher prices for labor (opportunity cost driven by higher paying jobs in the city), and yes, to some degree, by farm programs that support farm income when prices drop.Mr. Pollan has a particular political agenda relating "farm policy" to "obesity" which has been shown scientifically to be a tenuous link at best (I could go into technical details about the income elasticity of demand for food, but that is just too wonkish). Because of the high labor requirements in organic farming, it is not economically sustainable in industrialized countries on a large scale (yes, there is a market for it and it brings a premium, but its not there yet for most people). I would suggest that everyone take a second look at commercial agriculture. Most data now suggest that agriculture's impact as measured by its carbon footprint has declined substantially in the last 10 years (some crops more than others, of course). Organic is part of the solution, for sure, but it is not THE solution. Actually, Michael Pollan has it terribly wrong. Agricultural policy began in earnest with the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. This, of course, was in response to both the Depression and the Dust Bowl. The “industrialization” as it is termed here began not with a reliance on fossil fuels, but in a severe lack of labor due to WWII (actually, it began before that, but the pace was greatly accelerated by the war). At the end of the war, most of that labor returned not to the farm, but tract homes and factory jobs. The reliance on mechanization and chemicals is due in part to ever-increasing demand for food (higher prices), higher prices for labor (opportunity cost driven by higher paying jobs in the city), and yes, to some degree, by farm programs that support farm income when prices drop.

Mr. Pollan has a particular political agenda relating “farm policy” to “obesity” which has been shown scientifically to be a tenuous link at best (I could go into technical details about the income elasticity of demand for food, but that is just too wonkish). Because of the high labor requirements in organic farming, it is not economically sustainable in industrialized countries on a large scale (yes, there is a market for it and it brings a premium, but its not there yet for most people). I would suggest that everyone take a second look at commercial agriculture. Most data now suggest that agriculture’s impact as measured by its carbon footprint has declined substantially in the last 10 years (some crops more than others, of course). Organic is part of the solution, for sure, but it is not THE solution.

]]> By: Fredhttp://cookingupastory.com/next-generation-of-family-farmers%e2%80%94-part-2/comment-page-1#comment-34741 Fred Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:41:39 +0000 http://cookingupastory.com/?p=4399#comment-34741 TC, you raise a good point. Doesn't Obama have more serious matters on his plate than dealing with farmers, and the farming industry?I think the answer may be counter-intuitive, at least on the surface. Even more significant a problem than the economy (though not as urgent, but closing in fast) is the climate change problem. Industrial agriculture relies heavily upon the use of fossil fuels, and puts more greenhouses gases into the atmosphere than the entire transportation sector.I'm one of those (there are many others out there) that believe we have to tackle our problems, not one at a time as they come to us in crisis stage, but together, requiring an integrated solution. Fixing the economy (at this stage, do we even have a clue how to do that? ) won't happen, if we don't tackle the farming issues, that are also entwined with our use (and dependence) on fossil fuels.Climate change, clean energy independence, food security, and protecting our farmlands and family farmers, in a way, are all members of one interrelated family.Oh, and let's not forget healthcare that impacts public health. Our typical diet (those low cost meals you mentioned) greatly effect our health! TC, you raise a good point. Doesn’t Obama have more serious matters on his plate than dealing with farmers, and the farming industry?

I think the answer may be counter-intuitive, at least on the surface. Even more significant a problem than the economy (though not as urgent, but closing in fast) is the climate change problem. Industrial agriculture relies heavily upon the use of fossil fuels, and puts more greenhouses gases into the atmosphere than the entire transportation sector.

I’m one of those (there are many others out there) that believe we have to tackle our problems, not one at a time as they come to us in crisis stage, but together, requiring an integrated solution. Fixing the economy (at this stage, do we even have a clue how to do that? ) won’t happen, if we don’t tackle the farming issues, that are also entwined with our use (and dependence) on fossil fuels.

Climate change, clean energy independence, food security, and protecting our farmlands and family farmers, in a way, are all members of one interrelated family.

Oh, and let’s not forget healthcare that impacts public health. Our typical diet (those low cost meals you mentioned) greatly effect our health!

]]> By: TChttp://cookingupastory.com/next-generation-of-family-farmers%e2%80%94-part-2/comment-page-1#comment-34696 TC Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:38:37 +0000 http://cookingupastory.com/?p=4399#comment-34696 We all have to eat, that's a fact. But right now, I wonder if the economy is first and foremost in people's minds. In order to buy food, fast food or slow food, one has to have money, i.e., a job. I might be going out on a limb, but I'm guessing the shape of our nation's economy is taking center stage right now, not the farming industry. Although I realize it ties in with the overall economics of things. We all have to eat, that’s a fact. But right now, I wonder if the economy is first and foremost in people’s minds. In order to buy food, fast food or slow food, one has to have money, i.e., a job. I might be going out on a limb, but I’m guessing the shape of our nation’s economy is taking center stage right now, not the farming industry. Although I realize it ties in with the overall economics of things.

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