Today's Factory Farms And Dire Consequnces.

The large, industrialized farms of today have let us down. Agriculture cannot be placed in the "factory" model without dire consequences to our overall health and well being.

Wendell Berry, in my opinion, one of the most profound and influential writers of our time, has written much about the dramatic changes that have come about since the demise of the small farm and our complete dependency on "industrialized agriculture" as our only source of food.

In an article written back in 2002, Berry writes: "...the faith in industrial agriculture as an eternal pillar of human society is getting harder to maintain, not because of the attacks of its opponents , but because of the increasingly manifest failures of industrial agriculture itself : massive soil erosion, soil degradation, pollution by toxic chemicals, pollution by animal factory wastes, depletion of aquifers, runaway subsidies, the spread of pests and diseases by the long-distance transportation of food, mad cow disease, indifferent cruelty to animals, the many sufferings associated with agricultural depression, exploitation of "cheap" labor, the abuse of migrant workers.

And now, after the catastrophes of September 11, the media have begun to notice what critics of industrial capitalism have always known :The corporate food supply is highly vulnerable to acts of biological warfare."

Strong words , but we need to hear them...and take action. Some of you can begin by putting in a few raised beds in the backyard and over wintering hardy greens.Another may build a hoop house and start growing early tomatoes and small melons to take to market. The opportunities to make a difference in our local communities are endless!

It is my hope that through these articles, commentaries , and discussions, that we can mutually enhance our gardening experiences and encourage those that are around us to become part of a process that can add quality and beauty to their lives.

I welcome all advice, ideas, recommendations, and criticisms as we begin this process together.