Let’s Talk About This Mess We’re In
Okay, so I’m gonna be honest here. I’ve been in this agriculture game for, what, 25 years now? And let me tell you, we’re messing it up. Completely. I’m not talking about the farmers, no way. They’re doing the best they can with what they’ve got. I’m talking about us. The policy makers, the so-called experts, the people who should know better.
I remember back in ’98, I was at a conference in Austin — yeah, those were the days — and this guy, let’s call him Marcus, stands up and says, “We gotta industrialize, we gotta scale up, we gotta make it efficient.” And everyone’s clapping, right? But I’m sitting there thinking, “What about the soil? What about the water? What about the fact that we’re basically turning our farms into factories?”
But did I say anything? Nope. I was young, I was scared, I was wearing a tie for some reason. I should’ve spoken up. Should’ve, could’ve, didn’t.
So Here’s the Thing About Sustainability
Look, I get it. We need to feed the world. But at what cost? I was talking to a friend of mine, let’s call her Sarah, over coffee at the place on 5th last Tuesday. She’s got a small farm out in the valley, does it right, you know? Crop rotation, cover crops, all that good stuff. She tells me, “You know, I make a fraction of what the big guys do, but I’m not losing sleep over it.” And that’s the thing, right? We’re so focused on yield, on output, on profit, that we’re forgetting about the people. The farmers. The ones who actually grow our food.
And don’t even get me started on the government. I mean, come on. They’re out here pushing these alot-of-money programs that basically tell farmers to grow more, faster, cheaper. And what happens? The soil gets tired, the water gets dirty, and we all end up eating food that tastes like cardboard. It’s a disaster.
But There’s Hope, I Guess
So, I’m not all doom and gloom. There are good things happening. I saw this farm last summer, out in Iowa, and they’re doing it right. They’ve got these big ol’ buffers along the streams, they’re planting all sorts of cover crops, and get this — they’re making a profit. A real, honest-to-goodness profit. And their food? Tastes like food should.
I talked to the guy running the show, let’s call him Dave. He says, “Look, it’s not easy. It’s a committment, it’s a lifestyle. But it’s worth it.” And I believed him. I really did.
But here’s the thing, and this is important, so pay attention. It’s not just about the big farms. It’s about all of us. It’s about the little guys, the hobby farmers, the backyard chicken enthusiasts. It’s about teaching our kids where food comes from. It’s about, I don’t know, caring again.
And Now, a Word on Pets
Okay, so this is gonna seem like a tangent, but hear me out. You know how when you get a new pet, you’re all excited and you wanna do everything right? You read the books, you ask the experts, you maybe even check out some pet care tips new owners online. But then, after a while, you just kinda wing it, right? You figure, “Eh, they’re fine.”
Well, agriculture is like that. We started out caring, we started out doing it right. But then we got lazy. We got greedy. We got complacent. And now look where we are.
So What Do We Do?
I’m not sure, honestly. I wish I had all the answers. But I know this — we gotta start caring again. We gotta start paying attention. We gotta start, I don’t know, talking to each other.
I was at a meeting last week, and this woman stands up and says, “We need to think about the next generation. We need to think about what we’re leaving them.” And I thought, “Yeah. Yeah, we do.” Because it’s not just about us. It’s about them too.
So, I don’t know. Maybe it’s time we all take a step back. Maybe it’s time we all start caring again. Maybe it’s time we all start doing agriculture right.
But probably not. I mean, look at the state of things. But a guy can dream, right?
About the Author
Hey, I’m Linda Thompson. I’ve been writing about agriculture for, well, longer than I care to admit. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned lessons, and I’ve got the scars to prove it. I live on a small farm with my dog, my cats, and my slightly dysfunctional family. I write because I care, because I want to make a difference, and because, frankly, I’ve got bills to pay. Follow me on Twitter @LindaT_Ag or email me at linda.thompson@chiaseed.net if you’ve got something to say. I might not always be nice, but I’ll always be honest.
