December 4, 2008: Hard times make hard people….or do they?

Hello: At a recent meeting of poultry producers, conservancy managers, retailers, urban farmers, would-be farmers, food co-op representatives, cheesemakers, CSA operators and their advocates from southeast Pennsylvania, I heard myself saying: “When the things fall apart that you used to depend on, some people get guns. Others get friends.”

I believe we—the people in that meeting room and the people reading this newsletter—
have an incredible opportunity to do something new and maybe even historic in the year ahead. The depth of our economic downturn is yet to be known. The pain is inequitably distributed but widespread, but there is also tremendous difference in how people respond to unwanted change: loss of income, homes and health insurance, as well as the diminished ability to buy the food their families need or to support the causes that are dear to them.

Food people—farmers, retailers, processors, chefs, hospitality kitchens, feeding programs, school food directors and all others choosing to care—who can somehow rise above just coping to do what they do in new ways with new partners can be the heroes of the Great Recession of 2009. Those who do it organically and sustainably will be the super-heroes of this time as they forge the links of the new agricultural-food “values chains” that achieve greater health of land, producers, laborers, eaters and communities while increasing access for all.

Overcoming fear and suspicion—which tend to increase as economics sour—is just part of this struggle for building something new even as the old system crumbles around its staunch defenders. I’ve found the sustainable agriculture community populated mostly by committed enthusiasts who are ready to share ideas, help one another, extend favor and encourage newcomers. Maybe the last 25 years were just the training period for today, when so many farmer and consumer families need new ways to work, to eat and to connect.

Let’s try to be:

As inclusive, non-judgmental and welcoming as Preston Green and Sarah Holm were in their invitation to consider organic farming futures that they presented to crowded rooms of vocational agriculture students at this fall’s National FFA convention. Read more >>

As ready to engage our adversaries to reach a greater good than we could without them as Jeff Moyer was in the first meeting to seek a comprehensive approach to sustainability standard in agriculture. Read more >>

As passionately patient in detailing the agronomics of successful organics as Dave Wilson is his ode to the potato. Read more >>

As honest about our failures as Bill Clinton was as he and others call for drastic changes to treat sustainably raised food as an essential good for all communities, not as a commodity. Read more >>

As thorough as the Institute’s Tim LaSalle and Paul Hepperly in documenting the ways an Organic Green Revolution can improve the sustainability of world food production to nourish people and restore soil. Read more >>

Good food, well grown and creatively shared, will make new friends for those who are ready to change agriculture with a new set of organic solutions to food security, global warming, health and famine prevention.

This could be our year.

Greg Bowman and the
Rodale Institute editorial team