Social Systems in Agriculture

1. Social Systems in Agriculture Eco-Ag Program October 3, 2003 Chad Kruger

2. The little farmers watched debt creep up on them like the tide. They sprayed the trees and sold no crop, they pruned and grafted and could not pick the crop. And the men of knowledge have worked, have considered, and the fruit is rotting on the ground, and the decaying mash in the wine vats is poisoning the air. And taste the wine -- no grape flavor at all, just sulphur and tannic acid and alcohol. - Steinback, John. “Hunger in a Land of Plenty.” The Grapes of Wrath. 1939.

3. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example Irish Potato Famine of 1848 – 1849. 1.5 million people died (many more emigrated). 80% of the Irish diet based on potatoes (poor had a 100% diet of potatoes). Yet Ireland EXPORTED corn during the famine.

4. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example Great Bengal Famine of 1943. 1.5 – 3 million people died. More food was available in the year of the famine than in the previous year with no famine. Rice was EXPORTED from the Bengal Province in 1943!

5. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example So what happened? Were their natural causes? Ireland – Potato Blight Bengal, India – Climatic variations

6. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example Or were the famines caused by socio-economic and political causes? Entitlements: the market failed to equitably distribute the available food, and/or it failed to restructure the food system to meet the need. Amartya Sen (1981) “Ingredients of Famine Analysis: Availability and Entitlements”.

7. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example Note: the consequences of food systems are not limited to market-based systems – Consider the famine in China in the 1960’s – 20 – 30 million Chinese died as a consequence of failed central planning for agriculture. Subsistence farmers have historically suffered frequent “mini-famines” or lean years.

8. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example Politics of Food Aid Example US Insistence on Export of Genetically Engineered Corn as USAID food aid to countries in Southern Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc.) who are suffering from extended drought.

9. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea The key thing to consider is that agriculture does not happen in a vacuum. Even a “subsistence”-oriented agriculture is part of complex system that has both human and ecological elements to it.

10. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability “They’re making people every day, but they ain’t making any more dirt.” – Will Rogers

11. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons What are the reasons we need to consider sustainability? Population Growth Limited and reduced availability of resources Increased Waste Questionable ability of technology change to address future needs in a timely manner.

12. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements What are the elements of sustainability? Ecological how much of earth’s bounty can we extract? – how much toxicity can the earth absorb? Economic Are economic systems inherently unsustainable? Is scale the determinant of sustainability? Social How do you measure “social” sustainability? Time What kind of time frame do we need to consider for sustainability?

13. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions How does a society make decisions about agriculture? How does a society codify decisions about agriculture? Institutions

14. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined What is an institution? a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture; something or someone firmly associated with a place or thing; an established organization or corporation, especially of a public character Merriam-Webster

15. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples What are some examples of institutions related to US agriculture?

16. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples i. Organizations/Entities Organizations/Entities • USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) • Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture (WSU) • Cooperative Extension • Other Higher Ed Ag. Institutions (Tech/trade schools, Liberal arts programs) • 4H, FFA, High School Vocational Agriculture courses • Corporations (ie. Seed/petrochemical companies) • Science Societies • Cooperatives (ie. Cenex, Land’O’Lakes, cooperative grocery stores) • Farmer and citizen organizations (Farm Bureau, Farmer’s Union, Rural Roots, Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network) • Realtors, speculators, lenders

17. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples i. Organizations/Entities ii. Laws/codes Laws/codes • Farm Bill • Congressional Appropriations • Compliance laws (EPA regulations, etc.) • Taxes • Commodity programs • Land use zoning and policy • Homestead Act

18. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples i. Organizations/Entities ii. Laws/codes iii. Facilities Facilities • Railroads • Highways • Grain Depots • Feedlots • Experiment stations/trial fields • Wholesale and Retail distributors

19. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples i. Organizations/Entities ii. Laws/codes iii. Facilities iv. Ideas/Practices Ideas/Practices • Swidden-fallow (slash and burn agriculture) • Westward Expansion • Slavery • Share-cropping • The New Deal • John Deere . . . Technology • Monocultures • Green Revolution • Oil . . . stored energy (fuel, fertilizers, etc.) • Barn Raising • Community Supported Agriculture • Farmer’s Markets • Private Property • Public Land

20. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples i. Organizations/Entities ii. Laws/codes iii. Facilities iv. Ideas/Practices v. Individuals Individuals • Franklin Roosevelt • Henry Wallace (Former Secretary of Ag) • Norman Borlaug (Green Revolution) • Jim Hightower (Family Farm Advocate) • Wendell Berry • Ray Croc and J.R. Simplot • Jose Bove (French farmer, jailed for vandalizing McDonald’s) • Percy Schmeiser (Canadian farmer sued by Monsanto)

21. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea The key is that agricultural institutions are the embodiment of a society’s history, ideas and decisions about agriculture.

22. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure 1. Defined What is land tenure? The rights and obligations of a [land] holder John Bruce, 1998. “Review of Tenure Terminology” Tenure Brief No. 1, University of Wisconsin Land Tenure Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

23. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure 1. Defined 2. Elements Elements of Tenure • Bundle of rights [and responsibilities] • Freehold ----- leasehold ------ common property • Perceptions of security or strength of tenure • Theoretical linkage to agricultural performance and conservation

25. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure 1. Defined 2. Elements Elements of Tenure • Bundle of rights [and responsibilities] • Freehold ----- leasehold ------ common property • Perceptions of security or strength of tenure • Theoretical linkage to agricultural performance and conservation • Tenure reform – redistribution of land holding

26. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use Why is land tenure important to agricultural policy and use?

27. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use 1. Equity Distribution of land for reasons of economic security and equity – dualistic agricultural systems (feudalism, Agriculture-of-the-Middle, etc.)

28. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use 1. Equity 2. Political Democracy Distribution of land for reasons of political security and equity – Jeffersonian agrarianism, the idea of a “landed democracy” (a reaction to a landed aristocracy).

29. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use 1. Equity 2. Political Democracy 3. Production / Conservation Theoretical (and empirical) linkages between tenure security and productivity and conservation. See Tenure Model.

30. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use 1. Equity 2. Political Democracy 3. Production / Conservation 4. Public vs. Private Good Strength of private interests in the “exploitation” [productivity] and conservation of property vs. strength of public interest in food/fiber security and “multiple benefits of agriculture (open-space, wildlife, water quality, etc.)

31. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea The key is to understand that there is a correlation between the rights that a user perceives that he or she has in a holding and how he or she uses that land. Society [or the state] can use land tenure to balance needs of productivity and conservation.

32. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture How is the US agricultural system structured? How should it be structured? How does a market system differ from a planned or subsistence system? What are the benefits and consequences of a market system and how can society influence the system in the direction of sustainability?

33. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles Macroeconomic Principles What are the principles/models of liberal economic development? (ex. Lewis Model) How do supply and demand effect land, labor, capital and technology? What are the impacts of trade, and/or, import substitution? How does liberal economics compare to planned or subsistence economics?

34. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders How do stakeholders relate to each other in our agricultural system? What role does/should the government have in a “market-oriented” agricultural system? What role do/should consumer’s have? What role do/should producers have? How are key dimensions of the food system organized: research, extension, production, processing, distribution, marketing, etc? What is the appropriate balance of public and private interests?

35. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban – Rural Bias Urban-Rural Bias Politics of power / wealth Demographic concerns Market access and opportunity - Is the farmer’s market and CSA THE PATH to sustainability? Consolidation of land Politics of personal values

36. A thousand hills lay bare to the sky, and half of every hill was wheat and half was fallow ground. . . . The beauty of them was austere. . . . The sun shone hot, the wind blew hard; and over the boundless undulating expanse hovered a shadow that was neither hood of dust nor hue of gold. . . . A singularly beautiful effect of harmony lay in the long, slowly rising slopes. . . . not a hundred harvests, nor three generations of toiling men, could ever rob nature of its limitless space and scorching sun and sweeping dust, of its resistless age-long creep back toward the desert that it had been. Grey, Zane. 1919. “The Plight of an Unsung Hero in a Land of Want.” Desert of Wheat. New York: Grosset & Dunlop Publishers, pp. 1-2.

38. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-Rural Bias D. Key Idea The key issue is to understand how public and private entities and interests interact in a market-oriented agricultural system. The agricultural sector is one of the least “liberalized” sectors of the US market economy – because the availability and distribution of food and fiber are considered to be a political necessity – and it continually faces real and ideological challenges to the nature of it’s socio-politico-economic structure – which ultimately brings into question the sustainability of our agricultural system.

39. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy How do we leverage the existing agricultural institutions and/or create new ones that promote sustainability as the goal for agriculture? Should we be civic minded (Town of Dunn) or should we litigate? How does one engage the political process of agriculture?

40. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process 1. Organizations Organizations National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the Regional Sustainable Agriculture Working Groups Consortium for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Center for Rural Affairs, Walthill, NE Food First Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Family Farm Defenders Women, Food and Agriculture Network Southern Federation of Cooperatives Organic Farming Research Foundations Henry Wallace Center, Winrock International Food and Society Policy Fellows Program

41. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process 1. Organizations 2. Events / Opportunities Events and institutional opportunities to provide input Farm Bill and Appropriations Federal Decision making panels Federal Rule Comment periods

42. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process 1. Organizations 2. Events / Opportunities Federal Stakeholder Input Rule. 84 people submitted public comments on the Federal Stakeholder Input Rule for Land Grant College of Agriculture Plans of Work – and ultimately those 84 comments led to the inclusion of language in the rule that makes the Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture more transparent and responsible to citizen input. Imagine if it were 8400, 84,000 or 84 million people who provided comment?

43. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process B. Civic Action How can I engage in a local or community-minded political process?

44. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process B. Civic Action 1. Local organizations Local Organizations Land Stewardship Project Church’s Center for Land and People Rural Roots Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network Seattle Tilth Regional Sustainable Ag Societies Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Lane County Food Coalition (Eugene, Oregon) Milwaukee Hunger Task Force Local religious centers Schools 4H and FFA

45. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process B. Civic Action 1. Local organizations 2. Local Events Local Events Community Celebrations/potlucks, etc. County Fairs and agricultural trade shows Public meetings and hearings Field trips, field days, agricultural breakfasts, etc.

46. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process B. Civic Action 1. Local organizations 2. Local Events 3. Purchasing Power Voting with your $$$$$$ . . . By buying local, organic, sustainable, etc. farmer’s markets Local coops Health food stores Community Supported Agriculture Eco-labels

47. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process B. Civic Action 1. Local organizations 2. Local Events 3. Purchasing Power Voting with your $$$$$$ . . . At the polls Tax levies and public revenue referendums Example: Town of Dunn, Wisconsin

48. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process B. Civic Action C. Arguments A Valid Argument Political debates are often fueled by emotive rhetoric – strongly held opinions and values that are not well-reasoned or articulated. A valid, sound argument, that utilizes reasonable premises and conclusions – in addition to timely, appropriate evidence, make a citizen appear more intelligent, informed, well-thought and convincing.

49. I. Introduction to Food Systems A. Famine Analysis Example B. Politics of Food Aid Example C. Key Idea II. Sustainability A. Reasons B. Elements III. Institutions A. Defined B. Examples C. Key Idea IV. Land tenure, policy and use A. Land Tenure B. Policy and Land Use C. Key Idea V. Structure of Agriculture A. Macro-economic principles B. Stakeholders C. Urban-rural bias D. Key Idea VI. Participation in Democracy A. The political process B. Civic Action C. Arguments D. Key Idea The key is that there are numerous opportunities and strategies for engaging the political system in favor of promoting a more sustainable agricultural system. Both civic action and litigation/political action are probably necessary avenues of engagement, depending on the scale of the political opportunity (ie. local issues = civic action and national/global isues = litigation/political action). Valid, reasoned arguments are critical to both civics and litigation.

50. Study Questions: • Is sustainability a process or product of agricultural systems? Explain. • What are some benefits and problems of institutions? • Should private ownership of property be a right? Explain. • What are some potential benefits and problems with market-oriented agricultural systems? • How does the scale of a political entity (number of people, size of area, etc.) influence the political process?