Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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2001) provides a concise overview of the key topics in organic food, infor-
mation sources, and markets. This is a good first step for anyone wanting
to learn about the current issues in organic farming.
The Real Dirt
(Smith
and Henderson 1998) presents practical information on soil, pest, and crop
management on smaller organic farms in the northeastern United States,
and includes photos and entertaining comments from farmers.
Further reading on related topics includes
Fatal Harvest: The Tragedy of
Industrial Agriculture
, which illustrates both problems and solutions (Kim-
brell 2002). The vast ethical, technological, and ecological impacts of indus-
trial agriculture prove that it cannot safely feed the world, thus the topic also
presents “revisioning agriculture” that outlines ways to confront the “power
structures behind the industrial agriculture system.” Possible solutions in-
clude shifting toward organic production that is outside corporate control
- “organic and beyond,” as the authors say. A key component of change
is keeping the integrity in organic production, maintaining the ecological
stewardship of organic methods, and creating an alternative food system
based on organic farming.
For all of its benefits, we must acknowledge that organic farming is not
perfect. One problem is that organic agriculture is following in the foot-
steps of large-scale conventional agriculture, with a handful of companies
controlling national distribution. But this can be thwarted by consumers
committed to buying from local family organic farmers. Some dishonest
farmers may try organic methods just for the short-term profit they think
they can earn, but they won't last long, because successful organic farming
requires commitment. Trying to do organic farming halfway simply won't
work, since certification will weed out violators. Sure, there are problems,
but what is our other option - the end of organic farming? Is that what we
want? No, because at least organic farming provides the ecological benefits
of reduced pesticide applications. But we must fight to ensure its integrity.
A benefit of organic farming is that, as a certified system, consumers
know what the criteria are. There are no fuzzy or overused concepts of “sus-
tainable” or “integrated” production here; rather, “certified organic” farms
are free of prohibited synthetic agrichemicals and do not use genetically
modified organisms. But this should be the starting point, not the terminal
goal, for organics. As Hightower states in
Thieves in High Places
(2003, 200-
201), “The USDA label is a step forward for the environment and our health.
But the label is only the first step.” He notes that organics must deal with
deeper social and ecological issues so that organic farming is “centered on
the culture of agriculture.”He warns against “the corporate grab” in organic
products that is “nothing more than profiteering dressed up in a green suit.”
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