For my politcal pals

[emchy]

Hey there
I am looking for links to articles / info about the 1980's farmers protests and the policies under the Reagan administration that hastened the downfall of the family farm.

thanks.

Comments

[agenthandy.livejournal.com]

not sure if this helps?

http://www.foodbattle.org/

freaking awesome video

[nunofthat.livejournal.com]

As you search, some key terms you may be looking for are "farm crisis" and "Earl Butz."

I'm totally nerdy for this sort of thing, but sadly am too short on time to really deliver. Here are a few places you might start:

- Michael Pollan writes frequently on US farm policy, from FDR's New Deal to the present, and is eminently readable (and sometimes even funny).

- New Farm reviews the book "Broken Heartland," which may be helpful, here:
http://www.newfarm.org/books/reviews/aug04/heartland.shtml

- Much of the film "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" deals with the farm crisis, losing the family farm, and how we can save it, and includes footage of the one-man play he was performing around rural Midwestern communities at the time. Farmer John, incidentally, is the person who first walked me through a farm field, taught me how to taste the soil, and showed me that the world under our feet (and our tomatoes) is actually alive.

Let us know what you learn!