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Farmers Versus Foodies: A Look at the Outside Forces Forging the Future of Farming and Food
The agriculture community has a decision to make. Will it be led by "insiders" who understand the industry and have dedicated their lives and livelihoods to it, or will it be led by "outsiders" who champion the notion that the industry is
broken— a notion the author refers to as "Ag Humpty Dumptyism."
While the agriculture community has heard its critics for years, no ag though leader has ever closely examined their sources, their breadth and depth, or what will happen if those outsiders succeed in reshaping the food system.
Endorsed as recommended reading by former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, if you are a leader in the food and farming sector, you will want to spend time with this book.
broken— a notion the author refers to as "Ag Humpty Dumptyism."
While the agriculture community has heard its critics for years, no ag though leader has ever closely examined their sources, their breadth and depth, or what will happen if those outsiders succeed in reshaping the food system.
Endorsed as recommended reading by former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, if you are a leader in the food and farming sector, you will want to spend time with this book.
Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 11, 2023
I gave this book a one star handicap. Because 1) I’m a big-city liberal reading a book by a conservative about farming. And that was my choice. And 2) because this is the first review of this book on Goodreads, and I don’t want to discourage folks from reading it.
So. Why WOULD it have been 3 stars? Well, partly because it wasn’t written for me and I wanted it to be. For some reason, this is a book about how people misperceive farmers written FOR FARMERS. And since it’s written for them, Starling doesn’t bother telling “our story” (farmers’ story) in detail because they already know it. Sigh. That’s what I thought this was!
All that said, while I think this book was probably just the tip of the iceberg of information on farming, I found it interesting. Enough that I finished it in 24 hours, resulting in a not-super-focused Monday at the office. And since my day at the office for the past 25ish years has been marketing “big food”, I agree with Starling that we have some missed opportunities to educate the American public (louder than advocacy groups).
But I’m also a liberal, (and enough of an insider) to think there are more things broken in the food system than Starling is willing to admit here.
So. Mixed thoughts. 3 stars +1.
(Write a book about farming for the “outsiders!” I’d read that too. But try to mention Trump a little less in that one.)
So. Why WOULD it have been 3 stars? Well, partly because it wasn’t written for me and I wanted it to be. For some reason, this is a book about how people misperceive farmers written FOR FARMERS. And since it’s written for them, Starling doesn’t bother telling “our story” (farmers’ story) in detail because they already know it. Sigh. That’s what I thought this was!
All that said, while I think this book was probably just the tip of the iceberg of information on farming, I found it interesting. Enough that I finished it in 24 hours, resulting in a not-super-focused Monday at the office. And since my day at the office for the past 25ish years has been marketing “big food”, I agree with Starling that we have some missed opportunities to educate the American public (louder than advocacy groups).
But I’m also a liberal, (and enough of an insider) to think there are more things broken in the food system than Starling is willing to admit here.
So. Mixed thoughts. 3 stars +1.
(Write a book about farming for the “outsiders!” I’d read that too. But try to mention Trump a little less in that one.)
January 11, 2025
I found this book very entertaining and educational. As an agriculture major and lifelong farmer, I also sit in some of the subcultures of embracing regenerative farming and food freedoms. His writing gave me tons of food for thought in my research and talking point for future conversations.
Best part… half his footnotes consist of his own snarky sarcasm and personal anecdotes.
Worth the read for anyone, but especially those involved in food or agriculture.
Best part… half his footnotes consist of his own snarky sarcasm and personal anecdotes.
Worth the read for anyone, but especially those involved in food or agriculture.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews