A major tipping point for me this election has been, or course, rural and agricultural policy. Which is a horrible, ugly mess. I’ve taken serious issue with both sides during the last 8 years (also known as the deathly dark years for agriculture, environmental sustainability and conservation), and I’m hoping to see some light be shed on these issues in the next administration.
I find myself agreeing with Michael Pollan’s position that food and agriculture policy will demand serious attention from the next president- w. Our current economic crisis is most certainly being played out in rural America and any real, sustainable change in our economic system will need to address the fact that we aren’t really supporting our agricultural communities. Sparse jobs, minimal educational oppertunities are putting people on edge and jepordizing our ability to feed ourselves - which means that we are relying on China, and Mexico, and other countries to supply us with food. I certainly don’t have to digress about the dangers of that - or mention that that whole system is built of the idea that oil will always be cheap and global transport of food will always be a viable option. Food safety issues and rising fuel costs (not to mention horrendous labor issues and environmental degredation) have proved otherwise.
Anyway, how does Obama and McCain shape up? First off, I was surprised that McCain doesn’t list a section for Agriculture or Rural Issues at all on his site. Which is certainly strange because McCain has had somewhat of a history advocating against bloated farm subsidies that are being paid out by the US government to corporate farmers- which is rightly commendable. So where is that now? Why no mention of ethanol (which I actually oppose for other reasons), or of subsidies? Obama, on the other hand, has a section devoted to small farmers and to rural issues - (bonus points!).
With energy, climate change, and environmental sustainability so wrapped up in agriculture, it’s certainly a measurement by which to understand how much thought the candidates have given these ideals. I must admit that I’m a bit disappointed that McCains “all of the above” environmental promises seem general and sound great- with out really giving me a sense of the metrics involved.
True, the President is just one piece of our political structure, Nancy Pelosi has certainly sold out to big agriculture (and California for that matter) by her support of the last Farm Bill, which was heartbreakingly disappointing to say the least. Let’s not forget that the New Deal in the 30’s revitalized America’s heartland, brought jobs back for farmers, kept middle America alive and maintained a food system in America that was self-preserving- not self-destroying as we have today. Good food, clean food, fresh food that is grown here, without chemicals and without raping the land and the environment we live in, THAT’S patriotism and that’s yet another reason to throw my lot in with Obama.
The photos above are some local family farmers from California (and Elana, furthest left, munching on a strawberry while on a farm tour with me this Summer).
Say it!