Tag Archives: farmers

No System is Immune: Structural Racism in the American Food System

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This past quarter I had the opportunity to work with a Washington organization fighting to empower the youth of the state to fight for bold, equitable, and science-based climate policies. Through my work with Our Climate, coupled with my politics of the world food system course, I became more educated about the concentrations of power in wealth that dominate and dictate the processes and practices of the world food system.

The richest fifth of the population control 90 percent of the world’s wealth and emit 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.[i] This block of people is mostly white. This fact does not exist without substantial consequences for the rest of the population. For example, 10 percent of white households experience hunger in the United States, Black households experience hunger at rates of 20-25 percent.[ii]

Source: https://alliancetoendhunger.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Hill-advocacy-fact-sheet__HUNGER-IS-A-RACIAL-EQUITY-ISSUE_Alliance-to-End-Hunger.pdf

Food insecurity, as we know can and does lead to inability to attend school or jobs, decreased health and health outcomes, disease, shortened life expectancy, and more. Systemic racism does not solely exist in our legal and governmental institutions. It shows up in the global food system, especially in the American food system. Systemic racism is not isolated to a few systems or institutions, food insecurity is not the only manifestation of systemic racism. Private agricultural land ownership is dominated by white people.[iii] Only 1.3 percent of farmers in America are Black.[iv] Black farmers receive less assistance from the government than white farmers.[v] The list goes on and on.

Source: https://foodfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DRnumber2_VF.pdf

Systems are inherently interconnected and organized to achieve a function. Yet, our national food system fails Black Americans. Change in systems is inevitable and we must leverage this inherent change to ensure that food systems serve Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color just the same as they serve white people. We must call upon our politicians and listen to Black activists to address these issues.

Lastly, I want to share some important resources, activists, educators, and organizers to turn to during this time.

END NOTES:

[i] Political Ecology of the World Food System Lecture, April 16, 2020

[ii] https://alliancetoendhunger.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Hill-advocacy-fact-sheet__HUNGER-IS-A-RACIAL-EQUITY-ISSUE_Alliance-to-End-Hunger.pdf

[iii] https://foodfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DRnumber2_VF.pdf

[iv] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/29/why-have-americas-black-farmers-disappeared

[v] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/29/why-have-americas-black-farmers-disappeared

– Sophie Stein

Women’s Land Rights and the Pandemic

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For our action project, we worked with Landesa. We focused our efforts on connecting the current pandemic to the role of women’s land rights and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. We concentrated on this region, as it has faced the epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Ebola, and has had to overcome these crises while dealing with the ongoing natural problems that are endemic to the climate and region (drought and political instability). Additionally, the region has long-suffered from exploitation and pressures of global imbalances of power. What has become evident, is that developed countries are able to leverage local resources, which are developed and cultivated by African nations to advance their own stability and serve as a source of resilience. Against this backdrop, the region will continue to evolve as “an arena of geopolitical and resource competition…” and this can be problematic, as Africa may be disenfranchised from ‘solutions’ that are developed within the region. This is where the role of women’s land rights becomes a driver of law and policy reform and economic self-reliance and community leadership. Allowing women to have direct and impactful roles in the food system will foster a resistive and durable base that the communities of Africa can count on for stability and lean on in times of crises.

An infographic created for our Landesa Project (Graphic by Ashley Wright)

What I have recognized in Landesa is that many of the defining attributes and workings of systems theory are functioning through this organization and the work it is doing to make an impact on society. We were able to connect seemingly individual and distinct topics into an aggregate context relevant to human systems and, by extension, the ecosystem. (from lecture) What is common across developed, developing, emerging, and underdeveloped economies is growth. This trend towards an improved standard of living does not emerge in isolation. In this case, women’s land rights connect to all of us, even if we benefit indirectly. Through a woman’s ability to own and control land in Africa, the role of my country (or another developed country) will shift as it benefits from concurrent growth. And this shift can impact my community whether it is through the flow of money or access to food as a whole. We all benefit from socio-political stability, as instability can result in a misallocation of resources. Currently the IMF projects negative growth for the region through this year, but forecasts a return to positive growth through 2021.

Post-Contemplation Considerations of the Food System

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This post is a response to “What Contemplative Practices Have Taught Me about Problem Solving” by, Sydney

In “What Contemplative Practices Have Taught Me about Problem Solving,” Sydney reflects on feelings of restlessness, not knowing how to make a meaningful difference as a consumer in a food system that simultaneously benefits some (in particular, us) and negatively impacts others. I agree with Sydney, we must examine our own relationship to the existing system prior to effective systems analysis. We know, at this point in the course that a system is an interconnected set of aspects that is organized in a way that achieves a function or purpose. We are evidently a part of the world food system. However, I want to extend past this and begin to incorporate and deliberate options for  next steps following effective contemplation.

I offer a consideration of another article “How Consumers and Farmers Can Transform Food Systems” by Tania Strauss and Maria Elena Varas. This article discusses both a farmer in Vietnam who has little access to beneficial food systems information as well as a consumer, Meaghan, in the United States who navigates the food system with consistent flows of contrasting information from social media and mainstream news. Meaghan is an individual that resonates with most of us, when shopping we consider all of the information that has arrived with us through our education, our social media usage, and our familial teachings. Strauss and Varas argue that consumers should be at the heart of any solution that is considered to make the world food system more effective for everyone. We, as consumers, hold the power and ability to change demand and ensure that food systems operate in a more sustainable manner for producers and consumers. This would suggest that you and I are at the center of this “food systems crisis,” that it is up to us to reconfigure this system to work for us, as well as the people that produce our food.

This graphic places consumers at the center of the image, much like Authors Strauss and Varas do. (https://www.foodshedinvestors.com/faq/what-is-a-foodshed-ecosystem)

When we turn to the World Economic Forum’s Food Systems Initiative Report on the role of incentives to enable food systems to transform, there is only one suggestion for the general population to engage in, simply changing consumer behavior. The other three pathways for developing incentives to transform food systems are repurposing public investment and policies, business model innovation, and institutional investments. Therefore, I posit a question; to what extent is individual responsibility integral to the alteration of the food system to become more conducive to all actors involved? Furthermore, is the concept of individualism infiltrating the discussion on the improvement of the world food system in a prohibitive manner?

This is a graphic that captures the WEF’s food systems initiative on the role of incentives to enable food systems to transform recommendations of how to achieve food system aspirations. (https://weforum.ent.box.com/s/35vs54zp4mqfnlg17lb6yli5rsc9bg2x)

I do not mean to end this discussion with further questions, however, it feels inevitable to continue to prod at the questions at the hear of these issues, we must converse and engage with one another to develop the most effective practices and responses.

Finally, with consideration of the concept of individualism, I suggest the following articles in an effort to further contemplate our roles in this world food system.

Best,

Sophie Stein

 

 

Far-away treats

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Studying the complexities of the world food system from my home is humbling at times. How am I connected to it and how can I, an individual, make a difference in the grand scheme of things? The contemplative practices from this class have both amplified this feeling of smallness and helped me gain insight to my reactions to the things I am learning. One practice, on contemplating chocolate, particularly stuck with me. Prior to the practice, two videos were assigned; one documenting child labor on cacao farms on the Ivory Coast, and another on cocoa farmers tasting chocolate for the first time.

I find previewing content like this to be insightful and to provide context that is larger than myself. I admired the hard work of these farmers, and how they were so grateful to be tasting the product from the cacao beans they so tirelessly produce. For a second, I felt so greedy that I can have all the chocolate I desire, yet the people who produce this taken-for-granted treat are mostly unaware of it, and are totally fine without it. I am reminded of the entrenched inequities in our food systems, global hunger, and the fight for food sovereignty as I think of the commodity chain of this chocolate I eat.

It makes me wonder what I truly need in my life, and what American capitalist society tells me I need. I certainly do not need chocolate, or many other products that begin in different hemispheres from me. Yet, I still continue to buy such foods, like chocolate, oranges, coffee, and many more delights that are the result of exploited labor. But in reality, I do not believe me changing my consumption habits makes much of a difference in the grand scheme of things, yet I can try. I wonder, however, why am I so privileged to be the beneficiary of the commodities of the world food system?

Map of global chocolate production and consumption. The top consumers live so far away from the treats they enjoy!

 

Cacao fruit with harvest tool.

Image sources:

https://medium.com/@jerrytoth/whats-wrong-with-cacao-farming-d33ec4a949b2

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-euHLRk7EPJ4/UQgwseW_v4I/AAAAAAAAB1c/ejkQArr_hgY/s1600/chocolate.jpg

 

The Difficulties of Being a Young Farmer in the New Climate Change Era

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Young and beginning farmers in this day in age are grappling with ways to adapt to climate change under challenging circumstances. Weak finances and lack of governmental support to help them with this new climate change era, young farmers are fighting to survive in the agricultural industry. 

Economically, young farmers are in a sensitive position. Two-thirds of young, beginner farmers were found to have less than $10,000 in revenue and are facing serious financial constraints with paying off their student debt. These financial hardships are no help when these farmers are experiencing rising land prices, and unpredictable climate patterns. 

New patterns in inconstant weather conditions have been at the forefront of many farmer’s worries. In the past year there has been the smallest harvest in decades due to unstable weather conditions including intense storms, irregular rainfall, and frost. The only way to curtail the ever present issue of climate change and it’s devastating effects on farmers is through governmental action. 

Culturally, our society is divided on beliefs on the legitimacy of climate change. The combination of powerful corporations and climate change disbelievers are ceasing any governmental action. The big question is: How can we gain momentum for governmental support? I think we need to demonstrate urgency for political action by contacting our representatives, supporting climate change charities  (Clean Air Task Force or Sandbag are great options), and participating in climate change activist groups. 

What this article fails to realize is that a majority of existing farmers in the US are 57.5 years old (US 2017 Census of Agriculture) and are aging out. It is deeply important to set our young farmers for success so they continue the agricultural industry for future generations. If we continue placing financial and environmental burdens on young farmers the future implications for future food supply will be costly. 

Sources:

(Original Article) Douglas, Leah. “Climate Change Is Making It Harder to Be a Young Farmer.” Grist, Grist, 1 Feb. 2020, https://grist.org/food/climate-change-is-making-it-harder-to-be-a-young-farmer/.

(Image) Parker, Michael, and Holly Rippon-Butler. “U.S. Department of Agriculture.” U.S. Department of Agriculture, Land Access Team, National Young Farmers Coalition, 18 Sept. 2019, https://www.farmers.gov/connect/blog/farm-life/finding-farmland-resources-support-land-access.

 

Farmworkers are essential!

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Amidst this crisis, it is difficult to not feel useless at times, especially for someone who is used to being such a busy-body. Learning about and reflecting on the world food system sparks inspiration, yet makes me long for the days when I worked on the UW Farm. Like many, I am out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and miss the long, yet rewarding days on the farm. Being so idle these days, I realize I sometimes took my wholesome farm life for granted, with access to local produce daily and constantly learning about the intricacies of organic food production. It seems that many people see being a farmer as a relatively easy job, in terms of the little education required. However, farming demands such fine attention to detail and an understanding of how farms operate cohesively as a system. 

Trying to feel connected to the outside world in some way, I came across an article on undocumented farmworkers while scrolling through news and politics. The article, by the New York Times, explained how immigrant farmworkers, most of which are undocumented, have been prescribed ‘essential work’ letters that prevent punishment for working during stay at home orders. While these letters don’t protect from deportation, measures have been shifted from ordinary undocumented workers to those who pose a threat to public safety.’ This allows these essential workers to feel more at ease, despite the high risk they are to contracting coronavirus. It is ironic to me that it took a public health crisis for the government to realize that immigrants are beneficial to our country, especially farmworkers. How can we continue to have the stigma of immigrants being ‘criminals’ and detrimental to the US, when in fact they are ensuring food safety for so many Americans? I resonate with these farmers, as I understand how crucial the agricultural sector is to the sustaining the well-being of a country. 

During this crisis, it is important to analyze systemic inequalities that are becoming more apparent, like the many hardships imposed on immigrant workers. It is these under-paid ‘essential workers’ that are holding up the upper class in America, and it is only now that society realizes how reliant the wealthy are to the poor. Deploying systems thinking and viewing the food system through a broader lens can help to reveal these inequities and understand how to restructure such weak points. Next time you take the convenience and selections at grocery stores for granted, reflect on the many hard workers that ensure food security across the country. 

 

-Reily Savenetti

Sources:

Jordan, Miriam. “Farmworkers, Mostly Undocumented, Become ‘Essential’ During Pandemic.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 Apr. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/us/coronavirus-undocumented-immigrant-farmworkers-agriculture.html.