the politics of farming
right now, i really want somebody with whom i can discuss the political side of farming, especially organic farming. to elaborate just a little bit, organic farming makes so much more sense in terms of soil health, crop health, crop yields, etc. than conventional/industrial farming. but organic farming doesn't have the potential for big business to make big bucks on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, so it's gonna be a tough ride for those who care about the land and the people to try to lead this nation away from the "bigger is better" mentality which is so carefully cultivated by those who have an economic stake in the whole thing. i don't just want to discuss these issues in a theoretical realm, however. i want the conversation to lay the groundwork and then continue on into what we can do to make a difference. for example, is it joining together with other organic farmers and concerned consumers to organize a boycott of chemical fertilizers? is it protesting monsanto (and other corporations) and their horrid policies and experiments and patents on seeds? is it starting local seed companies with the specific goal of preserving local and heritage varieties of vegetables and fruits? what about pirate radio (which in certain cases is entirely legal) to get the word out about the environmental and personal health benefits of organic food?
you can't have food without politics in this world. growing one's own food and obtaining one's food from local sources as much as possible is a radical act. it isn't radical in that it's illegal and will get you arrested, but it is radical in that it goes against the tide of current societal and economic trends. it's radical in that such a simple thing holds the power to change the entire world... for the better. it's radical in that it involves each and every single human being on this planet because none of us can live without food. when it comes down to the bare bones, you cannot ignore your food, where it comes from, and how it is produced. each single individual can choose where and how to obtain food, and as whole communities get in on the act it will make a big difference. the difference is not only global: communities and local landbases will be revitalized with healthy and appropriately scaled farming practices. healthy farming and healthy communities are inextricably tied to place. it also requires each individual to have a greater knowledge of how food systems work. knowledge and the ability to use it well are essential. furthermore, sound farming practices and local food have the potential to be an amazing galvanizing force all over the world because they give communities a positive direction to work in, instead of merely protesting despicable practices and policies of big business. my mom used to sing a song that goes "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, accentuate the positive, and don't mess with mr. in-between". exactly. i would argue that protesting corporations as the sole practice in one's activist agenda only serves to accentuate the negative. by accentuating the positive - in this case choosing local, organic food over "conventional" food - one will be directly contributing to the elimination of the negative. it's more effective, and even the attitude involved for most people is much more positive.
while i am energized by these ideas, and while i believe them to be some of the most effective tools that we have access to, i'm not so idealistic as to think of local, organic food as a cure-all for society's ills. it is, however, a major step in the right direction!
you can't have food without politics in this world. growing one's own food and obtaining one's food from local sources as much as possible is a radical act. it isn't radical in that it's illegal and will get you arrested, but it is radical in that it goes against the tide of current societal and economic trends. it's radical in that such a simple thing holds the power to change the entire world... for the better. it's radical in that it involves each and every single human being on this planet because none of us can live without food. when it comes down to the bare bones, you cannot ignore your food, where it comes from, and how it is produced. each single individual can choose where and how to obtain food, and as whole communities get in on the act it will make a big difference. the difference is not only global: communities and local landbases will be revitalized with healthy and appropriately scaled farming practices. healthy farming and healthy communities are inextricably tied to place. it also requires each individual to have a greater knowledge of how food systems work. knowledge and the ability to use it well are essential. furthermore, sound farming practices and local food have the potential to be an amazing galvanizing force all over the world because they give communities a positive direction to work in, instead of merely protesting despicable practices and policies of big business. my mom used to sing a song that goes "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, accentuate the positive, and don't mess with mr. in-between". exactly. i would argue that protesting corporations as the sole practice in one's activist agenda only serves to accentuate the negative. by accentuating the positive - in this case choosing local, organic food over "conventional" food - one will be directly contributing to the elimination of the negative. it's more effective, and even the attitude involved for most people is much more positive.
while i am energized by these ideas, and while i believe them to be some of the most effective tools that we have access to, i'm not so idealistic as to think of local, organic food as a cure-all for society's ills. it is, however, a major step in the right direction!