Thoughts from Class discussion on Civic Agriculture

Overall, there were a few things mentioned during our class discussion today that has got me thinking back to the beginning of the semester:

1. there was mention of the how the Urban Farmer, Novella Carpenter, came off as a weirdo 
2. mention of how, if you're not speaking/ presenting to someone who does not take the same stance as you do on a specific topic or issue, you need to restructure your rhetoric so that they will be able to understand your stand point 
3. how a majority of people today don't have time to take on farming because they are consumed with other things in their lives that are of greater importance 
4. the lack of care of people to actually farm/ w (students and others educated) care to have a stance and focus on agricultural issues because we are educated on the topic 

These four points led me back to the beginning of the semester when we were first introduced to the class and the topic of agriculture. Not sure if I am the only one, but, at the beginning of this class, I stood where a majority of Americans stand today-- unaware about the foods that they consume.  I think that #2 is a great point and made me think of our discussion at the beginning of the semester, where we discussed the depleting importance of agriculture in society.  While the "organic" movement has kind of  brought agriculture and its production back to focus, I think a cause of societies neglect to focus on agriculture has to do with the way in which it is presented.  There was mention that the urban farmer came off as a "weirdo," and although funny, it is a perception that is most people within societies have when they think of farmers and agriculture.  When agriculture is presented, it is often presented as a, using a new phrase I learned today, "granola hippe" issue.  This, I think targets a specific auidence: those who are educated about food and care to take an interest in it.  Other than the organic phenomenon (I call it a phenomenon because I think its more of a trend for most rather than a issue that is of importance that people are invested in) agricultural issues are still not at the forefront or even in the thoughts of many.  After today's class, I think that the way in which agriculture and agricultural issues are presented should be changed to fill in the lack of knowledge that  people have about the production of their food and the impact that it may have.  I also think that there should be more of an awareness about, not just how horrible conventional forms of agriculture are, but agriculture in general.  That way, people can have the option of choosing which form of agriculture they support.  I don't think there is a set solution to the "agriculture problem" that we have been learning and discussing about all semester, but I do think that moving towards an awareness of options can lead to a change that will be somewhat beneficial for all, whether they have the time or not to take on farming of their own.