Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
of community-based agriculture and food production activities that not only meet consumer
demands for fresh, safe, and locally produced foods but create jobs, encourage entrepren-
eurship, and strengthen community identity. Civic agriculture brings together production and
consumption activities within communities and offers consumers real alternatives to the com-
modities produced, processed, and marketed by large agribusiness firms.
Table 5.2. Selected Elements of Conventional Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture
Conventional agriculture
Sustainable agriculture
Domination of nature
Harmony with nature
Humans are separate from and superior to nature
Natures consists primarily of resources to be used
Life cycle incomplete; decay (recycling of wastes)
neglected
Human-made systems imposed on nature
Production maintained by agricultural chemicals
Highly processed, nutrient-fortified food
Humans are part of and subject to nature
Nature is valued primarily for its own sake
Life cycle complete; growth and decay balanced
Natural ecosystems are imitated
Production maintained by development of healthy
soil
Minimally processed, naturally nutritious food
Specialization
Diversity
Narrow genetic base
More plants grown in monocultures
Single-cropping in succession
Separation of crops and livestock
Standardized production systems
Highly specialized, reductionist
science and technology
Broad genetic base
More plants grown in polycultures
Multiple crops in complementary rotations
Integration of crops and livestock
Locally adapted production systems
Interdisciplinary, systems oriented science and tech-
nology
Competition
Community
Increased cooperation
Preservation of farm traditions and rural culture
Small rural communities essential to agriculture
Farmwork rewarding; labor an essential to be made
meaningful
Farming is a way of life as well as a business
Primary emphasis on permanence, quality, and
beauty
Source: Adapted from Beus and Dunlap, 1990, “Conventional versus Alternative Agriculture: The Paradigmatic
Roots of the Debate.”
Lack of cooperation, self-interest
Farm traditions and rural culture outdated
Small rural communities not necessary to agricul-
ture
Farmwork a drudgery; labor input to be minimized
Farming is a business only
Primary emphasis on speed, quantity, and profit
Why Didn't Small Business Flourish?
If smaller-scale producers, including family farmers, offer more positive social and economic
outcomes for rural households and communities, why then did the United States virtually
abandon this development path in favor of one in which large agribusiness corporations as-
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