Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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consumers at supermarkets are less likely to accept information on organic
agricultural issues than shoppers at co-ops and farmers' markets who are
more open to the inclusion of educational materials as part of the shopping
experience (Schäfer 2003). There is substantial geographical variation in the
availability of and appreciation for organic items.
This issue of “conventionalization” in which organic farming becomes
dominated by Big O Ag agribusiness is a very real concern, but it hasn't
happened in Europe, and they are about a generation ahead of us in the
development of organic farming. We must learn from their example. Take
Denmark: they created federal organic regulations in 1987 and have im-
plemented many national regulations that encourage organic production
since then. In terms of marketing and the role of agribusiness, there are
interesting variations within the Danish situation, as small-scale organic
farmers have worked within the conventional system to sell their products
in supermarkets and yet remain independent and part of distinct organic
farming groups (Michelsen 1996). We can hope that this will happen here,
and we can do something about it - to ensure that organic represents a true
“alternative” in the United States, well into the future.
The simplest action for an organic advocate is to buy from local organic
farmers. Know your farmers. The more you know about the farmer who
produces the food you eat, the better assured you are that themethods she or
he uses protect the natural environment of your local region. Buying organic
food from a local farmer puts money right back into your local economy,
and this helps maintain a healthy rural landscape. There are increasing
opportunities for these regional, organic food purchases; CSAs are being es-
tablished across the country, farmers' markets are booming, and many food
co-ops stock locally grown produce. These types of local activities could
be part of the “emerging 'unique' markets” that will pose a challenge for
the global agricultural corporations (Hendrickson and Heffernan 2002b).
These ideas are echoed in the topic
SlowFood
(Petrini 2001),which promotes
a movement to counter the fast-food culture that is threatening to take over
the world. It urges us to “operate within a regional framework and promote
new forms of 'slow' production and supply” because this guarantees quality
food and “pays due respect to agriculture” (2).
The Farm as Natural Habitat
(Jackson and Jackson 2002) describes the
“connection between the grocery list and the endangered species list, be-
tween farming and nature” (2). The authors make a strong case for buying
regionally to support farmers who are practicing ecological methods of
agriculture. While they do not endorse certified organic agriculture as a
whole (noting that agribusiness influences are increasing), they support the
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