The current issue of Top Producer magazine carries a column by John Phipps stating why he is proud to be an 'industrial' producer despite the contempt generated among some people by the term.
Basically, he questions the morality of a system, the 'agrarian model' for agriculture when those promoting it never point our how their way could be extended to 'the multitudes'.
Phipps believes, while simplicity may be a virtue, industrialism, though not perfect, does reward innovation and is far more scrutinized and regulated than are 'small' farms which receive blanket exemptions from many reg's such as OSHA.
Consider this: which type farm systems have the most child fatalities?
Phipps also notes that 'agrarian' agriculture is one beneficiary of the great wealth made possible by 'industrial' farming!
What I get from his essay is that we who do practice agriculture in a manner demeaned, even damned, by some practicing the agrarian model as being "factory farming", we will abide by decisions of the marketplace on our differences. But we should no longer silently allow them to go unchallenged in their often faulty assertions against our methods.
I believe he has many valid points.
MRJ
Basically, he questions the morality of a system, the 'agrarian model' for agriculture when those promoting it never point our how their way could be extended to 'the multitudes'.
Phipps believes, while simplicity may be a virtue, industrialism, though not perfect, does reward innovation and is far more scrutinized and regulated than are 'small' farms which receive blanket exemptions from many reg's such as OSHA.
Consider this: which type farm systems have the most child fatalities?
Phipps also notes that 'agrarian' agriculture is one beneficiary of the great wealth made possible by 'industrial' farming!
What I get from his essay is that we who do practice agriculture in a manner demeaned, even damned, by some practicing the agrarian model as being "factory farming", we will abide by decisions of the marketplace on our differences. But we should no longer silently allow them to go unchallenged in their often faulty assertions against our methods.
I believe he has many valid points.
MRJ