Young Farmers and “The Farm” After the 1980S Farm Crisis by Katje Armentrout

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Young Farmers and “The Farm” After the 1980S Farm Crisis by Katje Armentrout NOTES ON THE STATE OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE: Young Farmers and “The Farm” After the 1980s Farm Crisis by Katje Armentrout A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Purdue University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of American Studies West Lafayette, Indiana May 2019 2 THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL STATEMENT OF COMMITTEE APPROVAL Dr. Sharra Vostral, Chair Department of History Dr. Rayvon Fouché Department of American Studies Dr. Shannon McMullen Department of American Studies Dr. Laura Zanotti Department of Anthropology Approved by: Dr. Rayvon Fouché Head of the Graduate Program 3 Dedicated to the memory of my Gram, a simple, hardworking, God-loving farmer’s wife, whom I still miss (and think of) every day. 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS As my primary advisor, I owe Dr. Sharra Vostral my sincerest appreciation for the continuous support of my research. From our initial meeting in my first semester at Purdue, I knew that your contributions to my work would be extremely significant in terms of your personal attachment to the geographical location of my study. Over these five years, I have also discovered how you have encouraged me to reconsider some of my personal biases and push me outside of my boundaries, while also averting any of my self-doubt. Your knowledgeable guidance, patience, and generosity has allowed me to work in my own way, while also nudging me to completion. You stimulated me to not only grow as a researcher, but also become more comfortable as an independent thinker. I could not have imagined a friendlier advisor and mentor. Above all, I hope I’ve made an institutional document out of this dissertation. To Dr. Rayvon Fouché: Thank you for believing in me from the beginning and for pushing me to pursue something new. Throughout the writing process, you have provided ample assistance by offering constructive feedback and administered practical direction since the initial conceptualization of this project. Thanks also for asking the tough questions, especially when I was unsure of the answers. Most especially, I’m so very grateful for all the stories you’ve shared about your home in the Upper Peninsula, questions you’ve asked me about growing up in Michigan, and reminding me there is a place for informal exchanges in higher education. Thanks to Dr. Shannon McMullen for the many insightful readings that you provided and pressing me about topics such as sustainability and issues of class, as well as being attentive to the struggles some first-generation academics face. Moreover, your gracious personality and caring demeanor have made me realize there is a place for me (if I want it) in the higher 5 education profession. Additionally, the faculty/student gatherings that you have hosted in your home were welcome retreats at the end of each semester. Also, Dr. Laura Zanotti, thank you for being inclined to participate on a dissertation committee for a student which you had not worked with previously. When I met you while presenting at the American Studies Symposium during the beginning stages of this research, I knew that I wanted to invite you to contribute to this project. Since that time, you have become much more than an additional reader. For your aid in the development of my ideas, pointing me in the direction of various readings, and assisting me in the ethnographic component of this research – I am extremely grateful. Thank you. My express gratitude also goes out to several faculty members in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Purdue University (Dr. Susan Curtis, Dr. Bill Mullen, Dr. Monica Trieu, and Dr. Venetria Patton) whom I have worked with in the past few years for showing me what it means to be dedicated, to Dr. Wynne Wright from the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University for her willingness to participate in the oversight of an independent reading course which led me further down the path of this scholarly work, and to Dr. Laura Cochrane from Central Michigan University’s Anthropology Department for your continued support and guidance. I also had a great pleasure in working with Dr. Mike Morrison from Purdue’s History Department. Simply put, I could not have asked for a better supervisor for my first teaching assistantship appointment – may he rest in peace. Also, thanks so much to Brandi Plantenga for all your support, answers to questions, smiles, laughs, tears, shared meals, and friendship. You go above and beyond what a program secretary should – you’re the best! While I have said the same for others in this list, it is literally true that this dissertation could not have been completed without the participation of so many producers/growers and 6 farmers market managers across the state of Michigan. Thank you for opening your offices, homes, barns, farmlands, market booths, orchards, sugarbushes, and busy schedules to a curious researcher. Above all, I thank you for your extreme kindnesses, willingness to teach, help, and answer questions, as well as allowing me to experience your version of “the farm.” In the writings that follow, I hope that I depict a proper representation of your stories. In addition, this dissertation was made partially possible by the support of the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan through the award of the Bordin-Gillette Researcher Travel Fellowship. Thank you to lead archivist, Malgosia for answering my many questions regarding the collections and pointing me in directions that I had not thought of yet. Thanks also to library secretary, Meg for guiding me through the paperwork filing process. Without your assistance, this research would have been entirely impossible. Most importantly, special mentions go out to the friendly faces of the librarian staff in Ann Arbor (Caitlynn, Caroline, Emily, Karen, and Michael) who did all the heavy box lifting. Thanks also to Director Gary Skory at the Midland County Historical Society and tour guides Lisa and Joyce from Preservation Detroit. You were all so informative on each of your locations and your assistance was invaluable in the completion of this project. Special thanks to The Gaarders’ (Renee, Andrew, and Gigi) and The Horrocks’ (Stephen, Melissa, and Harper) – your smiling faces and shining personalities have made me feel at home in Indiana. Most especially, to Renee, your friendship has meant so much to me from that first encounter in the Fall of 2014. All the sushi rolls, candy, and juicy gossip sessions could not be replaced with anyone better. And to Steve, thanks for being an incredible office mate, listening to my sometimes-terrible jokes and always-rambling stories, showing me kindnesses beyond measure, and for your shared devotion to Little Debbie Swiss Rolls – I probably still owe you a 7 few. Likewise, to my many other colleagues near and far: Rachel Bonini, Jaime Hough, Annagul Yaryyeva, Jennifer Sdunzik, Sascha Angermann, Anshul Mishra, Jonathan Freeman, Michelle Lee, Megan Williams, Andrea Adomako, Jonas Ecke, Ivan Jackson, Wes Bishop, Michelle Martindale, Kera Lovell, Joe Morrison, Aria Halliday, Lilly Marsh, Boyd Smith, Christopher Munt, Kadari Taylor-Watson, Keturah Nix, Bethany Scettrini-Van Arsdale, Ryan Schnurr, Esme Barniskis, Ariel Smith, Malik Raymond, and Maria Mears – thank you for your encouragement, reading suggestions, offered feedback, proof reading skills, deadline extension requests, ability to be incredibly and refreshingly funny, innumerable conversations about food, hipsters, television, and music, and for generally, being a collection of people I feel lucky to know. Lastly, I would like to recognize several people in my personal life who have inspired and supported me in their own unique ways. This is also, for you – Mom, Dad, Sarah, Roger, Rose, Aunt Vivian, Rachael and Drew Potter, Kurt Eichinger, Alan Cain, and Gremlin – I love you all more than I can put into words! Most importantly, Jenny, I could not have made it this far in life without you. Thanks for being my personal chef, housekeeper, and chauffer, person to make me laugh the most (even if it is usually at me), phone call away confidante, Google chat, Klondike eating twin, and so much more. There is no better friend than a sister…I am you and you are me. 24/7/365. #OAC4L. 8 PREFACE As early as I can remember, my family always referred to it as “The Farm” – the 153-acre piece of property where my Gram lived in a one-story brick home with a large, red barn nestled into a hillside, a decaying corncrib, a rusty tin-roofed granary, and a thriving vegetable garden with as many raspberries and strawberries a growing girl required. Even though I know there were scattered agricultural relics across the property, such as a 1950 Farmall M series tractor, an out of commission hay-baler, a discarded plow, and coils of fencing, I do not remember a time in my childhood when my immediate family planted or harvested the fields there. In the early 1980s, I’ve been told that the last of the cattle were sold off or slaughtered mainly due to the passing of my grandfather; yet, also in part because of the Farm Crisis – after which my parents could not see their future in agriculture and took up occupations away from the property. However, our family would always live near The Farm to hunt, harvest firewood, and allow some Amish neighbors to till the land and plant crops. Over the years, I became interested in sustainable lifestyle practices and grew to respect farmers for the hard work required of them to survive in rural America and a profession that I realized was steadily shrinking in population. When I graduated high school at the turn of the millennium, I recall an influential teacher continually repeating, “Get out of here! This is a great place to raise a family but leaving is the best thing.
Recommended publications
  • Belle Isle Park General Management Plan
    APPENDIX B Photo Credit: Jim Lemay, MDOT 98 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 99 APPENDIX B 100 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 101 APPENDIX B 102 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 103 APPENDIX B 104 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 105 APPENDIX B 106 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 107 APPENDIX B 108 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 109 APPENDIX B 110 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 111 APPENDIX B 112 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 113 APPENDIX B 114 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 115 APPENDIX B 116 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 117 APPENDIX B 118 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 119 APPENDIX B 120 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 121 APPENDIX B 122 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 123 APPENDIX B 124 July 19, 2018 BELLE ISLE PARK LEASE July 19, 2018 125 APPENDIX C Community Engagement Session at Belle Isle Park Appendix C: Community Input Summary C.1 Project Website On the adjacent page is a snapshot of the project website at www.mdnrmanagementplans/belle-isle-park. The website was available for public viewing throughout the duration of the planning process and was updated with maps, survey results, and the draft plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Employers' Deadlines for Decisions Now Loom
    20120702-NEWS--0001-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 6/29/2012 6:05 PM Page 1 ©Entire contents copyright 2012 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved www.crainsdetroit.com Vol. 28, No. 27 Chinese automaker setsPage up 3 headquarters in Birmingham Advanced manufacturing 3-D process takes manufacturing to new levels, Page 9 Crain’s Largest OEM parts suppliers, Page 12 Agreement may be near on Belle Isle C Aquarium YOUR reopening RAIN share your views on the Detroit River — literally. Crain’s Lists ’ D S Detroit River, photos of out-of- the-way hangouts and bars by the river or photos of ETROIT interesting spots to fish, play or stories to go with them. WANTS TO SEE relax. Be sure to include an We’re looking for views of the explanation and story with your photos. river photos and the would like you to be part of a contest for the best photo. Prizes will be given to Investing in the D the top photos, picked by submitting your favorite Crain’s Business’ Living and 20 special publication Submit photos by July 27 to of others, will be used in print and Be part of the Aug. online as part of this annual publication. Crain’s Detroit The winning photo, and many electronically, go to R detroit.com/riverviews. Deputy Managing Editor IVER PICS To submit a photo Duggan @crain.com or (313) 446-0414. For questions, contact Employers’ deadlines editors. for decisions now loom NEWSPAPER State delay on health exchange muddies waters at dduggan has ruled, employers can be ex- by pected to begin to moving forward with plans to comply with regula- tory requirements of the Patient Now that the Protection and Affordable Care Act.
    [Show full text]
  • Belle Isle Restoration Accomplishments
    BELLE ISLE PARK Underlined text notes new updates. Island Restoration/Work Efforts BUILDINGS AND RESTROOMS Twelve of the 17 public restrooms (freestanding and interior) have been renovated and reopened. These buildings have also received new plumbing and paint. Work began on the bear pit, golf course and band shell restrooms. Because extensive work is needed on these facilities, efforts will be ongoing. Currently installing a toilet in the bus stop restroom and the athletic building. New faucets were installed at Sunset Point restroom. Four (4) buildings, in addition to most public restrooms, have undergone or are currently undergoing restoration work: White House (administrative building), casino building, Welcome Center (former police station) and conservatory o White House first floor renovations are completed, including replacement of drywall and plaster, plumbing repairs, cleaning of debris from storage areas and conversion of some space to office areas. In late June, a new downspout was installed and the dilapidated screen around the porch taken down. Beginning in April and with efforts still ongoing, park staff is clearing debris from the old stable behind the White House, which serves as the park work shop where equipment and tools are stored and projects, such as cutting posts and repairing equipment, are completed. Staff is building tool and work benches. They have also replaced the roll-up door to the facility. o Many casino building restorations have occurred thanks to partners such as Penske Corporation. Work included upgrade of electrical, plumbing and fire suppression systems, revitalization of interior restrooms, conversion of interior and exterior lighting to LED using historically accurate lighting fixtures, repairing the elevator, removal of a half-ton of asbestos flooring and removal of basement debris.
    [Show full text]
  • DECEMBER 2015 DECEMBER the Refrigerator and Freezer
    1 TheLoudonPUBLISHED BY THE LOUDON COMMUNICATIONS Ledger COUNCIL DECEMBER 2015 Are You Concerned About NH’s Inside This Issue… Heroin/Opioid Crisis? 2 Town Office Hours Submission Policy Make plans to join an open discussion regarding the state’s drug abuse crisis, 2016 Ledger Schedule including heroin and opioids, on Saturday, December 5th, 10 a.m. to noon at Charlie’s Barn. 3 Where to Worship in Loudon Loudon Church News oin Loudon’s State representatives George Saunderson and Howard Moffett; representatives of the Merrimack County Sher- 4 Halloween Party: Incredible iff’s Department; and a physician representative from the addiction treatment program at Concord Hospital and Riverbend Night of Fun for Food Pantry CounselingJ and Treatment Center for an open discussion of the heroin/opioid crisis in New Hampshire and the legislative pro- Food Pantry News posals of dealing with it during the current special session of the Legislature. Coffee and donuts provided. n 5 Premier Leadership Through Future Farmers of America Lions Club News Watch for Deer on the Roads Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Power Outages 6 What’s Cookin’! It’s Cookie Swap Time Christmas! What By Ann Hamilton, Field Specialist, Food Safety Black 7 What Is A Farmer? Winter is almost upon us and one thing is certain — we Find Great Gifts For Outdoor could possibly have an ice or snow storm in which we lose Enthusiasts at Fish and Game Are You Doing power. Are you prepared for such an event? No power can 8 Library News With Your Leftover compromise the safety of food in the refrigerator or freezer.
    [Show full text]
  • Agricultural Neighbor Labor, Family Labor, and Kinship in the United States 1790-1940
    Relieved of These Little Chores: Agricultural Neighbor Labor, Family Labor, and Kinship in the United States 1790-1940 A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Matt Andrew Nelson IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Steven Ruggles, Adviser August 2018 Matt Nelson 2018 Acknowledgments The encouragement and feedback from my committee, both during the dissertation writing but also in class proved invaluable. None of this would have been possible without my advisor Steven Ruggles. He not only taught me to be a little more forthright in my arguments and pay attention to what I am trying to measure, but also gave me a job as a graduate student at the Minnesota Population Center which pushed me down the track of demographic history. Evan Roberts and David Hacker provided wonderful feedback along the way (and even cited me in some of their presentations!) and gave me advice on how to sharpen my arguments and focus on the narrative. Deborah Levison encouraged me to always consider the “devil’s advocate” argument in “Population Methods and Issues for the United States and Third World,” and Chris Isett taught me to appreciate the “necessary but insufficient” arguments in “Comparative Economic History.” None of my work would have been possible without the Minnesota Population Center and IPUMS, both in the data created, but also funding conference travel, providing a graduate assistantship, and eventually employment. Cathy Fitch, Sarah Flood, Ron Goeken, Miriam King, and Sula Sarkar all gave me reading suggestions, conference paper feedback, or technical tips and tricks in SPSS, Stata, and ArcGIS.
    [Show full text]
  • Detroit's Grand Bargain
    Detroit’s Grand Bargain Philanthropy as a Catalyst for a Brighter Future Irene Hirano Inouye Philanthropic Leadership Fund The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy University of Southern California About the Center on Phil AnthroPy & PubliC PoliCy The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy promotes more effective philanthropy and strengthens the nonprofit sector through research that informs philanthropic decision-making and public policy to advance public problem solving. Using California and the West as a laboratory, The Center conducts research on philanthropy, volunteerism, and the role of the nonprofit sector in America’s communities. In order to make the research a catalyst for understanding and action, The Center encourages communication among the philanthropic, nonprofit, and policy communities. This is accomplished through a series of convenings and conversations around research findings and policy issues to help key decision makers work together more effectively to solve public problems and to identify strategies for action. This case study is underwritten by the Irene Hirano The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy Inouye Philanthropic Leadership Fund at The Center Sol Price School of Public Policy on Philanthropy & Public Policy. University of Southern California We want to acknowledge the assistance of Michael Lewis Hall, Room 210 Thom, and the insights and perspectives offered Los Angeles, California 90089-0626 by the individuals interviewed for this case. Listed Phone: (213) 740-9492 at the end of the case, they included many of the Email: [email protected] principals involved in the Grand Bargain. Website: cppp.usc.edu An electronic copy of the case can be downloaded Copyright ©2017 by on The Center’s website at cppp.usc.edu.
    [Show full text]
  • Suggested Summer Homework Kensington Hall Grade 6
    Suggested summer Homework Kensington Hall Grade 6 During the summer you might want to … …take your children to Detroit’s Cultural Center. Within a few blocks you have the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Museum of African-American History, the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Historical Museum (two great exhibits currently on display: “1920s-Detroit’s Building Boom” and “Detroit’s Classic Radio Voices”), the Detroit Children’s Museum, the Scarab Club and the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. While in the neighborhood you can visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (Episcopalian) and have a nice lunch at Union Street, or at the Majestic Café which is attached to the Majestic Theatre (the site of Harry Houdini’s last performance.) …take your children to Belle Isle and watch the freighters go by. On the island (where the Grand Prix will be run) you can stop at the Dossin Maritime Museum (there is a great exhibit there currently…), or the Belle Isle Conservatory. Stop at Pewabic Pottery while you are in the neighborhood and drive through Indian Village. …go to Detroit’s River Walk- a three-mile walkway along the Detroit River. You can see a map of the world outside of the Renaissance Center’s Winter Garden; see the statues that commemorate the Underground Railroad. …travel to Mexicantown for a great meal. …get up early on a Saturday morning and go to a farmer’s market at Detroit’s Eastern Market, or in Royal Oak, or Pontiac. …take advantage of the largest theatre district outside of New York---including the Fisher Theatre, The Fox, The Gem, The Music Hall and others.
    [Show full text]
  • Ram to Launch Extended Ode to Farmers
    Contact: Eileen Wunderlich David Elshoff Ram Truck to Launch Extended Ode to Farmers January 30, 2014, Auburn Hills, Mich. - Ram Truck's "Year of the Farmer" campaign continues to recognize the hard working men and women that live the American farming way of life with a new online edition of the video that launched the multi-element program nearly 12 months ago. To further celebrate American farmers, Ram has released an extend version of the brand’s acclaimed “Farmer” tribute, featuring the complete “So God Made A Farmer” FFA speech given by legendary radio broader Paul Harvey in 1978 and additional farm imagery. View the extended ad at the Ram Truck brand’s website at www.ramtrucks.com/keepplowing and on the brand’s YouTube site at www.youtube.com/ramtrucks. Ram Truck brand declared 2013 the “Year of the Farmer” during the Super Bowl XLVII last February, when its much- talked-about two-minute television spot, “Farmer,” kicked off a yearlong initiative to bring national attention to the significance of the American farmer. Ram pledged to donate up to $1 million to FFA for views of the “Farmer” video on the Ram Truck brand website. The brand reached the 10-million-view milestone, equating to the $1 million donation, in less than a week. To date, “Farmer” has been viewed online more than 22 million times, underscoring America’s interest in and support for the important role farmers play in our country. To honor American farmers, the Ram Truck brand aspired to create greater awareness, support and appreciation for farming families, communities and providers.
    [Show full text]
  • 02 12 2013 (Pdf)
    The Way We Work in Blue Rapids exhibit captures labor in rural America By Donna Sullivan, Editor be there in five minutes.’” Spending approximately He stood in a plastic 60 hours taking 45-50,000 bucket, leaning out the win- photos of people going about dow of the co-op, rapidly their jobs in Blue Rapids was shooting pictures as the cat- not on Tom Parker’s list of walk to the new elevator was New Year’s resolutions for being hung, all the while 2012. But when the ambi- hoping the brittle plastic of tious Blue Rapids Museum the bucket wouldn’t break. board decided to apply for a The Kansas Humanities grant from the Kansas Hu- Council gave guidelines for manities Council to partner the project, of which Blue with the Smithsonian Institu- Rapids was one of fifteen tion’s Museum on Main partner sites. The other loca- Street program, Parker was tions did projects involving asked to bid the job. He did, their history, using old pho- the museum received the tos and other memorabilia. grant, and Parker embarked Blue Rapids was the only on photographic journey of one to do a modern photo ex- epic proportions as part of a hibition. project called, The Way We “When people come into Work. the museum, the number one The project saw him out request is to see old photo- in every kind of weather, graphs, like of old business- taking pictures of subjects, es or people working,” Park- many of whom were a little er said. “Unfortunately, we reluctant at the outset.
    [Show full text]
  • Download the Belle Isle Patch Program
    Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan [email protected] Customer Care: 800-482-6734 Ext. 3 1333 Brewery Park Blvd Suite 500 Detroit, MI 48207 gssem.org Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan Patch Program Know Before You Go! Take Action: Belle Isle is the largest city-owned island park in the United States, Make the most of your Belle Isle Adventure, and take a moment and has a rich varied history. Let’s learn a bit more before your visit! to do one of following in the space below: Resources: Draw your favorite memory from the trip www.historicdetroit.org detroithistorical.org Write a story about your trip to share with friends! www.belleisleconservancy.org www.belleisleconservancy.org/historical-gallery-fun-facts Write down any events coming up you want to attend Write your favorite thing about the island. Take Action: Situated between US and Canada on the River, Belle Isle is the largest city owned park in the United States. The famous urban Belle Isle wouldn’t be the amazing place that it is park designer who designed Central Park, , came up without the help of many volunteers! From greeting you at the with the design for the park in the . After claims that Aquarium or Conservatory, leading tours, teaching educational programs, his plans were too elaborate, only some elements of his design remain. to hosting clean ups. Belle Isle loves their volunteers! The first four attractions on the island were the Belle Isle (which was made of wood), the Belle Isle (with only What do you think you could do to help Belle Isle on its journey 2 animals!), the Belle Isle , and the Anna Scripps to being the best it can be?! Brainstorm some ideas below.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Practices and Sustainability Ideology on Small Farms in North-Central West Virginia
    SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABILITY IDEOLOGY ON SMALL FARMS IN NORTH-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA by Amanda Zickefoose Bachelor of Arts, Pennsylvania State University, 2004 Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Pittsburgh 2016 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences This dissertation was presented by Amanda Zickefoose It was defended on October 28, 2016 and approved by Kathleen M. Blee, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Sociology Gerard D’Souza, PhD, Director and Professor of Resource Economics and Management Bryan K. Hanks, PhD, Associate Professor of Anthropology Kathleen Musante, PhD, Professor of Anthropology and Public Health Dissertation Advisor: Richard Scaglion, PhD, Professor of Anthropology ii Copyright © by Amanda Zickefoose 2016 iii SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABILITY IDEOLOGY ON SMALL FARMS IN NORTH-CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA Amanda Zickefoose, PhD University of Pittsburgh, 2016 This dissertation examines farming practices and ideologies through the lens of sustainability rhetoric. While “conventional” and “sustainable” agriculture are often set in opposition in the literature, this research shows how, in West Virginia, small farmers who identify as being in both camps actually use many of the same methods and practices. Consequently, these farming operations are characterized not as contrasts and opposites, but rather as a spectrum with methods varying more by degree than type. In the literature, sustainable farmers are often described as employing practices that prioritize the environment and community, whereas conventional farmers purportedly use practices that maximize profit at a cost to the environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume XVIII, No. 11 30 November 2017
    Volume XVIII, No. 11 30 November 2017 ISSN 1555-774X. Copyright © 2017, PolishRoots®, Inc. Editor: William F. “Fred” Hoffman, e-mail: [email protected]< > CONTENTS Welcome! Kronika Bukowsko Letters to the Editor Polish State Archives to Remain Open Next Summer An Overview of Recent Periodicals Upcoming Events More Useful Web Addresses You May Reprint Articles... *************************************** *** WELCOME! *** to the latest issue of Gen Dobry!, the e-zine of PolishRoots®. If you missed previous issues, you can find them here: <http://polishroots.org/GenDobry/tabid/60/Default.aspx> *************************************** Gen Dobry!, Vol. XVIII, No. 11, November 2017 — 1 *** KRONIKA BUKOWSKO *** by Debbie Greenlee <[email protected]> I have been visiting Bukowsko, powiat Sanok, old województwo Rzeszów, every other year since 1996. I have family and friends in this village – mostly family, because I am related to virtually everyone in the village. Due to my involvement in locating vital records and learning more about this impoverished village, I have become known there. During a visit in 2008, I was given a packet of papers by a cousin, Bronisława (now deceased). I copied them and passed the originals on to another cousin, Ann, in the U.S. The papers were copies of a Polish school diary or kronika that began in 1945. It told of life in Bukowsko just after World War II and during the involuntary resettlement by Poland’s communist government of Łemkos, Ukrainians, and Poles (Akcja Rzeszów and Akcja Wisła). I translated a little of the Kronika and realized that it had to be translated and published. There wasn’t much available in English that told of the harrowing times of the resettlements – and what I read there was heart-wrenching.
    [Show full text]