Andy
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 08:51:41 -0500
From: Judy Green <jg16@cornell.edu>
To: SAED-SHARE-L@cornell.edu
Subject: Green Ideas/Red Flag
There has been some interesting exchange recently on Extension folks' and
others' attitudes about sustainable ag. I'd like to offer a piece I wrote
back in 1993 (from Farming Alternatives Newsletter, Vol. 1 No. 4). I think
it still holds true for many people, although here in NYS we are making
some progress in bringing people together, trying to get past the mistrust
and develop a stronger sense of shared mission. Here it is:
Sustainable Agriculture: Why Green Ideas Raise A Red Flag
Judy Green, From Farming Alternatives Newsletter, Summer 1993
Most of us find it easy to agree with the basic principles of
sustainable agriculture which call for the development of farming systems
which are environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and profitable. But
it is not so easy to translate a broad set of principles and goals into a
set of practical recommendations to improve farming practices, especially
when the issues are charged with emotion, controversy and misunderstanding.
Why is the S-word such a red flag? Why does it raise the hackles of so many
farmers? What are the roots of the polarization between those who advocate
"sustainable agriculture" and those who feel skeptical, and even suspicious
of it? A recent discussion with Cornell Cooperative Extension field staff,
during an in-service training on sustainable agriculture, shed some light
on these questions.
It is unfortunate, but true, that many in the agriculture community view
sustainable agriculture as a personal criticism or an attack on
conventional agriculture, of which they are justifiably proud. "I guess
that the main thing people get defensive about when you say sustainable,"
explained one agent, "is that it implies that what they've been doing is
not sustainable. And that's the biggest issue." "You have to understand,"
added another, "that there is no other industry in the world that has
evolved so rapidly, and made so many technological changes that it
increased productivity 300 -400 times. And because of that agricultural
productivity, we have been able to develop into an industrial nation."
They feel that by promoting sustainable agriculture, society is unfairly
blaming farmers for pollution, and unfairly targeting agriculture for
reform. Farmers are willing to go the extra mile to improve environmental
impacts, but consumers ought to share the burden. "Agriculture can do more
than its fair share," an agent explained. "But it is going to have to take
a mind-set by the entire population... You have to communicate not only to
agriculture producers, but you have to communicate to the consumer. We are
in trouble. We need to rethink our way of life. Do you need two televisions
sets in the house? Do you need that VCR? That all consumes energy."
And many are skeptical of the economic feasibility of sustainable
agriculture, particularly related to labor and equipment costs. "If you go
from chemical pesticides to cultivation, you gotta have more labor, and you
gotta have more equipment," argued an Extension agent. At the same time,
they feel that farmers are not given enough credit for what they're already
doing to improve environmental impact. "We've been doing it [cover cropping
and rotations] in vegetables for years!" complained another. "And yet we
don't get credit for what we are doing."
I suspect that underlying many of these complaints about sustainable
agriculture is a deep-seated distrust of the organic farming movement, and
an assumption that sustainable agriculture is really organic farming in
disguise.
Many in the conventional agriculture community feel that supporters of
organic agriculture don't understand "real" commercial farming. And that
sustainable agriculture, too, represents an imposition on farmers by
outside forces, environmentalists, ignorant consumers and other zealots,
who don't understand and don't appreciate real farming.
Today, these assumptions are for the most part incorrect. Both organic and
'conventional' farmers have made and will continue to make important
contributions to sustainable agriculture. Unfortunately, the history of
conflict, misunderstanding, and ignorance surrounding sustainable
agriculture still divides the agriculture community. We need to cultivate a
genuine respect for all who are sincerely concerned about the future of
agriculture. We need to learn how to work together to address both
long-term societal goals of sustainability and the immediate needs of
farmers to stay in business. Let's legitimize the S-word, create
opportunities for dialogue between people with differing perspectives on
sustainable agriculture, and work toward the establishment of trust among
farmers of all types, Extension field staff, the University, and the
public.
Judy Green Phone: 607-255-9832
Coordinator Fax: 255-9984
Farming Alternatives Program Email: jg16@cornell.edu
Dept. of Rural Sociology
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-7801