From the Farm to the Table: What All Americans Need to Know about Agriculture

Culture of the Land

by Gary Holthaus

As with other areas of human industry, it has been assumed that technological progress would improve all aspects of agriculture. Technology would increase both efficiency and yield, or so we thought. The directions taken by technology may have worked for a while, but the same technologies that give us an advantage also create disadvantages. It's now a common story in rural America: pesticides, fertilizers, "big iron" combines, and other costly advancements may increase speed but also reduce efficiency, while farmers endure debt, dangerous working conditions, and long hours to pay for the technology. Land, livelihood, and lives are lost in an effort to keep up and break even. There is more to this story that affects both the food we eat and our provisions for the future. Too many Americans eat the food on their plates with little thought to its origin and in blind faith that government regulations will protect them from danger. While many Americans might have grown up in farming families, there are fewer family-owned farms with each passing generation. Americans are becoming disconnected from understanding the sources and content of their food. The farmers interviewed in From the Farm to the Table can help reestablish that connection. Gary Holthaus illuminates the state of American agriculture today, particularly the impact of globalization, through the stories of farmers who balance traditional practices with innovative methods to meet market demands. Holthaus demonstrates how the vitality of America's communities is bound to the successes and failures of its farmers. In From the Farm to the Table, farmers explain how their lives and communities have changed as they work to create healthy soil, healthy animals, and healthy food in a context of often inappropriate federal policy, growing competition from abroad, public misconceptions regarding government subsidies, the dangers of environmental damage and genetically modified crops, and the myths of modern economics. Rather than predicting doom and despair for small American growers, Holthaus shows their hope and the practical solutions they utilize. As these farmers tell their stories, "organic" and "sustainable" farming become real and meaningful. As they share their work and their lives, they reveal how those concepts affect the food we eat and the land on which it's grown, and how vital farming is to the American economy.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2006

Reviews

[Krysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right now i have liked the book i have chosen because it has told about how farming has changed over the years and up to now. I read about a guy that went to other farms and got their review on what they do when it comes to farming. their have been some farmers that have been so close to losing their farm and another farm had lost their farm. the neighbor then had bought the farm and had expanded his making his more efficient. the author is the the guy that went to these farms and then had written a book on his thoughts and the farms reviews. the author had noticed how hard it is to be a farmer.

This book has gotten better even though i haven't gotten too far ahead of last time. I would definitely recommend this book for those who have an interest in farming since it gives those who read it a great review of many farms and how they have been hanging on. It tells about all sorts of farming like dairy, hogs and crops. The people that are interviewed or talked to in this book tell about their experience of their farming. Also gives a good and bad view to those who may want to farm so it would give them either something good or bad to look forward to.

this book turned out to be a really good book even though it took be forever to finish it but once i was getting close to finishing it it got real good. The author wrapped it up by thanking all the farmers for their stories and comments about farming and how they got through life with just farming. There were people that ran many different farming techniques and had different types of things they took care of on their farms but they really had great stories about their farming life and how it all went and is going for them.

[Tamra]

Author has synthesized from science and philosophies with ecological standard as basis to evaluate how we approach planting, harvesting, and consumer consciousness/behaviors. His theme is that of inter-relatedness of communities and has sprinkled many memorable quotes throughout. I like this one to describe how nature believes in capital punishment..."Nature always bats last."

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gary Holthaus has talked to a lot of farmers and he brings their stories to life and places them in factual perspective. His interviews make it an interesting read and his research makes the farmers quandaries understandable. Important information about the system that puts food on our tables.

[Jean Caspers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important, personal, universal ...