L.A. Times: "Suddenly, America digs farming"
This is quite an enjoyable piece from the LA Times musing about the growing infatuation and romanticizing of farming in America. As the piece points out, this new perspective on farming is completely removed from the large, corporately dictated farms that account for much of the farming the U.S. Not to say that there are not independent farmers who are not wrapped up in questionable practices (and ethics) of corporate farming, but that's far from the primary form of farm. The reasons? Who knows? Certainly the popular emphasis on local produce, responsible farming, and the associated benefits - health, economic, and social - have a great deal of influence. Maybe it has something to do with western and work wear being fashionable?
Regardless, I suppose my hope for this new found affection is this. I hope that instead of fostering an unrealistic notion and ideal of farming that this attention will throw some light on where our food comes from, how it is produced, and the costs and benefits of producing food by those methods. I also hope this trend will illuminate some of the things we as consumers can do to encourage and nurture those folks who are trying to farm in a way that is responsible vis-a-vis their land, resources, and environment; their neighboring landowners and community; and their consumers.
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