Re: Articles in The Futurist
Dan Hook (guldann@ix.netcom.com)
Thu, 18 Mar 1999 08:22:41 -0500
Gil sent:
>
>Steven C. Blank, an extension economist from UC-Davis and author of "The
>End of the American Farm?" (pp. 22-27), draws from his 1998 book–The End of
>Agriculture in the American Portfolio–to argue that agriculture is becoming
>uncompetitive in the US and that we ought to give up the outdated notion of
>producing food in the U.S. and import it from places that can produce it
>more cheaply. If I were to criticize Blank, I would do so for not
>mentioning the promise of biotech for eliminating agriculture all together
>(a prospect that should prevent rational land grant administrators from
>hiring any new production scientist faculty members younger than 50). Some
>excerpts that I hope fairly capture the main content:
>
>"Most Americans could not care less if farming and ranching disappear, as
>long as they get their burgers and fries. Americans will waddle on. The
>
Yikes this is a scary one, but I really don't see this as true. While many
Americans are happy when things they want to buy just appear on the shelves,
they can be awakened (albeit usually temporarily) when something endangers
or appears to endanger their American comfort ie: attention to mad cow,
e-coli, etc.
I think if Americans were asked they would say they would prefere that most
of our food was grown here, they're aware that having your "pantry" behind
another countries borders could prove dangerous, war, export difficulties
etc.
I don't even think rural american is "disappearing" being chipped away at
but not disappearing (fingers crossed).
And while many Americans put their interest in things natural or
agricultural on the back burner something I read in "Farms of the Future
Revisited" struck me as meaningful I paraphrase and include my own opinions,
people crave a connection with farms hence the sucess of petting zoos, farm
stands, and probably pony rides. If you can get John and Jane Q Public on a
farm they usually "see" how beautiful it is. Getting them there another
story. Another quote I read and I appologize I do not remember the author
if I find it I will post it: "You can not love what you don't know" Wow
that about says it.
Beth
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