Cultivating an Ecological Conscience: Essays from a Farmer Philosopher

Culture of the Land

by Frederick L. Kirschenmann

Theologian, academic, and third-generation organic farmer Frederick L. Kirschenmann is a celebrated agricultural thinker. In the last thirty years he has tirelessly promoted the principles of sustainability and has become a legend in his own right.

Cultivating an Ecological Conscience: Essays from a Farmer Philosopher documents Kirschenmann's evolution and his lifelong contributions to the new agrarianism in a collection of his greatest writings on farming, philosophy, and sustainability. Working closely with agricultural economist and editor Constance L. Falk, Kirschenmann recounts his intellectual and spiritual journey. In a unique blend of personal history, philosophical discourse, spiritual ruminations, and practical advice, Kirschenmann interweaves his insights with discussion of contemporary agrarian topics. This collection serves as an invaluable resource to agrarian scholars and introduces readers to an agricultural pioneer whose work has profoundly influenced modern thinking about food.

Genres: Food, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Agriculture, Ecology, Nature

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2010

Reviews

[Pearse Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hard book to rate, because Kirschenmann covers so much ground and so many years. His material ranges from more intro-ENVS to the ultra-specific, like if to castrate pigs when they are sedated. I really wanted more of the latter, partially because those kinds of stories make me want to learn more, rather than the less specific "we can fix the system" message than many environmentalists shout that isn't very motivating. Overall, I could tell Kirschenmann was a really smart dude with a lot of smart things to say, about other people, farming, and life in general.


Connections: Kirschenmann is the president of the Stone Barns Center, which I volunteered for in the summer of 2016. I got a signed copy!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the interest of disclosure, I know the author and am a long-time admirer of his life's work. When I found a copy, I wanted to give it five stars just because I like the author. He deserves a place beside Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson as one of the great thinkers of rural America of that generation. His deeds far overshadow his words in so many ways.

Like so many collections of essays, this book was an uneven journey. I've read several of the essays before and it is convenient to have them in one place. By themselves, several of the essays are stunningly brilliant. "What Constitutes Sound Science?" stands out as on of the best critiques of how modern science has been corrupted by power politics that I have ever read. Objective science is a myth, and a destructive one at that. Much as I agree with his diagnosis, the essay only sets the stage for the development of an alternative paradigm based on holism and systems thinking. We are a long ways from the replacement of Baconian-Cartesian reductionist methods.

"Challenges Facing Philosophy as We Enter the Twenty-First Century" shows remarkable foresight, but it also demonstrates the risks of predicting the future. After all, it was written over 20 years ago and hasn't aged well. Fred hedges his bets here and raises more questions than he asnwers. That was the purpose, no doubt. The trends he predicted have largely been validated, but the exceptions loom large.

Some of the essays, particularly on organic certification, have historical value, but things turned out very differently from what he and many others, including myself, expected. While we disagreed on approaches to certification when we debated back in the day, neither of us thought the system would stray so far from what we intended. Call us naive, the essays speak for themselves.

Many of the chapters are short throw-aways that are ephemeral for issues of the day. I don't fault the author or editor for including them for completeness, but their value is limited. Taken as a whole, the essays are often redundant, making the same points with the same sources. It isn't exactly self-plagiarism, but the whole book could have been tightened up a bit, making it easier for the reader. Lastly, I can't help but comment that the essays of a theological and spiritual nature were unmoving to me as a non-believer. They helped inform me of that perspective, but were not persuasive. Perhaps others will find greater value in them.

On the whole, I'm glad I read it. I admire the author and consider him a great inspiration.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farmer-philosopher Frederick Kirschenmann's Cultivating an Ecological Conscience is a collection of thoughtful essays about the "ethical and practical principles" of developing a sustainable agricultural system. Drawing on his experiences as a theologian and a farmer, he delivers a series of measured arguments that a shift to more sustainable agriculture is a necessary change. As I mentioned in my Monday Musing, this was a welcome break from the rhetoric some other authors depend on. It is clear that the author is a product of a true liberal arts education, with a gift for elocution (I would love to hear him speak!) and a deep knowledge of the classics. I was at times astounded by the variety of sources he drew on to support his economic and agricultural theories - everything from Adam Smith to Machiavelli. I think the fact that he has read such different works and thought about their connection to agriculture is truly indicative of his passion for the topic.

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[Happyreader]

Frederick Kirschenmann’s talk at the 2008 FamilyFarmed Expo was an expo highlight for me and he very generously e-mailed me many more resources after the talk. I imagine that any book of his will be informed and inspirational. The book will include his article Food as Relationship published last year in the Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition From that article: "Today, we are discovering the dysfunctional aspects of our tendency to reduce food to a thing rather than appreciating it as a relationship. The constant stream of (sometimes conflicting) recommendations suggesting that if we eat a sufficient amount of a particular ingredient (remember oat bran?) we will all be healthy is but one example of this disconnect with nature. Our failure to explore intertwined relationships between soil health and human health is yet another example of this same skewed food culture."

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some powerful stories to have discussions around. He brings to the table many thought provoking ideas and assumptions. Many are assumptions tossed around today and Fred puts them in a sound light. A theologian and farmer, he brings wonderful insights forward in his book. With so much emphasis on where our food comes from, these essays and much to the conversation.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fred Kirschenmann's book Cultivating an Ecological Conscience is just fantastic! As a collection of essay, speeches, and chapters it at time reiterates arguments but at the same time illustrates the development of his contemplation and study of how agriculture has developed over the last century and ways in which might improve its impact on society and ecology into the future.

[Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing..... should be required reading for all decision makers in Agriculture.