The Curse of American Agricultural Abundance

"Willard W. Cochrane looks at two periods in agricultural history: 1953-66 and 1977-2002. Structurally, technologically, and organizationally the two periods are as different as night and day, but in terms of the big economic picture - too much production pressing on a limited commercial demand with resulting low farm prices and incomes - they are mirror images of each other. With this understanding, Cochrane argues that Americans no longer need to farm fragile ecosystems with intensive chemical methods, make huge payments that result in fewer farms and higher farming costs, or bear the environmental consequences of all-out production. Instead, he outlines a bold new strategy for how we can enjoy our abundance and focus our efforts on quality of life and protecting the environment in our rural areas."--BOOK JACKET.