Why Agrarianism?
At Work in the Winter Garden
Why, indeed. I think there is within each one of us a budding agrarian.1 Whether we admit it or not we yearn for contact with the sun, the soil, the foods that feed us. While I agree it is a difficult thing to contemplate in the middle of a snow-bound winter day, or on cold, shadowy city streets seemingly devoid of soil, nature and anything agricultural, I still feel it is possible to desire this connection.
This is an important thing to realize because in some way, in the near future, more than ever, we will want to know where our food comes from and how to grow it. Not everyone is cut out to be a farmer of even the smallest scale. Yet there are many who would never consider turning the soil over who will readily desire take a turn at it if it mean feeding themselves. Never say never. Everyone can be a farmer if they so choose. And we’re not talking the mega-acreage Industrial Scale monocrop farms feeding the supermarkets. I am thinking small scale here. Not more than 10 acres. Any one who can grow their own food should be considered a farmer or sorts, if only to understand what those who are called to the soil, to be farmers, undertake.
Even consumers are co-farmers with the sons and daughters of the soil. It may not seem like it, pulling a plastic-clad tray of meat out of the cooler, or a heavily marketed box of Chumpies off the shelf. But those products exist there, in that fashion because you–or the person standing there right now, ready to purchase them–create the demand. Personally I would like there to be less of a demand for such items and more of a demand for farm fresh produce bought from local farmers. And that leads us back to the question, “Why Agrarianism”?
I will be exploring this theme more, but suffice it to say–Agrarianism: because 20th Century Capitalism and what it has turned agriculture into has failed us miserably. Agrarianism. because it works. Because we all need to eat and that food has to come from somewhere, and if we want to be healthy then it had better be some pretty damn good food. Food free of chemicals, adulterants, and hype. I asked myself this evening, while thinking about out perspective new Secretary of Agriculture and all the wishes and demands being heaped upon the incoming President in the areas of food and agriculture, I asked myself, what do the Obamas eat? How does the future President and his first lady feed their family? If they are like most of us, then they want good, healthy food for their children and themselves. But, if they are like most of us, they will be complacent about where it comes from. But this cannot continue to be the case. The office of President needs to set an example for everyone. The First Family–especially one so young–needs to exhibit attainable values for all. And so, if the Obamas eat like most people, then Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary works for them. If, however, the Obamas eat healthy, local foods, shop at Farmers’ Markets and buy any percentage of their foods as Organic, then the choice of Vilsack is hypocritical. It is a blow against the small farmer, the local food movement, and any chance of creating a healthier diet for all.
So. Agrarianism. A return to the land. Proper environmental stewardship by people who need the land to feed us all. Farming in proper order with nature, not fighting the loosing battle with it. Farming which anyone can do, urban plot or country acreage. A Neo-Agrarianism, restoring food to its rightful primacy as healthy, safe, and valuable. Something we all need more than gold. Because the promises of the Industrial Revolution have fallen flat. Because cottage industries are still what keep us going. Because without safe, quality food we will sicken or starve.
Technorati Tags: agrarianism, farming, gardening, grow your own, food, Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack, President Obama, First Family
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This looks like my sort of reading! Congratulations.
I would just like to add to your thoughts that I agree that pretty much anyone can be a Farmer to some degree on a small scale thus giving authenticity to the food they produce. Conversely, the onus is on those of us who look after larger acreages to take on board your thoughts on agrarianism and translate them to the larger scale. Farming a larger acreage is no excuse to compromise welfare or sustainability. All food production is to some extent a compromise on the environment and therefore sustainability. We have to optimise that compromise on whatever scale we operate.
Happy New Year