Where have all the farmers gone?Farmers: An Endangered SpeciesUrbanizationSlide 4WW II as WatershedThe Food ChainThe Squeeze of Food CartelsA Vicious CycleThe Food DollarGoldschmidt StudyGoldschmidt, cont.Simplicity of Industrial FarmsBackfire: Tearing of the Social FabricWhere have all the Where have all the farmers gone?farmers gone?Where have all the Where have all the farmers gone?farmers gone?Brian Halweil Brian HalweilFarmers: An Endangered SpeciesIndustrialized countries – fewer & aging farmersGlobal South, Asia – increasing farmers, smaller land parcelsSince 1950 agricultural employment fell 80%UrbanizationFalling incomesRising debtRural povertyUrban migration -- seek more employment opportunitiesReality:Reality: Marginalization of farmers, loss of extensive knowledge Loss of community ties Unemployment & health problems in the citiesWW II as WatershedPre-WWII farmers saved seed, used livestock manure as fertilizer, crop diversity functioned as pest controlWartime chemicals converted to fertilizers and synthetic pesticidesEarl Butz: “Get big or get out”Monocrop, fence-row to fence-rowThe Food ChainVertical integration of the food chainCorporations, processors, distributors, warehouses, supermarketsThe Squeeze of Food CartelsOligopoly control of the food system Mergers, takeovers and alliances create extreme profitsWidening gap between farm prices and retail food pricesA Vicious CycleA Vicious CycleIncreased production costs, declining profits, new technologies, increased production, oversupply, decreased prices Over-supply, declining prices = lower profitsIncreased demand for technologyIncreased outputs & expenses, declining pricesThe Food DollarToday, farmers receive only 10 of the food dollarFarmer’s Processing, packaging, Share distribution, sales, etc.Goldschmidt StudyCompared two small towns-Dinuba & Arvin - Alike in every way except farm sizeSmall farms have more complex farming systems, (vs. more simple on large farms)Farm systems require thorough and intimate knowledge of the land—neglected by corporationsMore efficient use of land, water, more ecologically sustainable More efficient use of land, water, etc.1) More biodiversity2) Planting crops with differing drainage close together on land with varying topography- Neither can be done with heavy tractorsGoldschmidt, cont.Small farms create stronger communities- support 20% more people- higher standard of living- 2 times as many business establishments- More participation in politics- More schools, parks, churches, newspapers & civic organizationsSmall size alone is not enough – must have ecological awareness & motivationSimplicity of Industrial FarmsLarge farms appear more productive because yield/acre is based on only one crop rather than total food production per acreThe 2-crop (corn-soy) system is more simpleIncreased dependence on fertilizer  CAFOS – more waste/day than Los Angeles Nitrogen pollution & methane gas:1) Manure lagoons 2) Run-off into Gulf of Mexico (The Dead Zone)Loss of ecological diversity (our ultimate insurance policy) Loss of knowledge and experienceBackfire: Tearing of the Social Fabric poverty social class distinctions mental stress breakdown of families ties high rates of suicides security