Note on Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma

You are assigned sections I and II of Omnivore's Dilemma (through page 273); I really hope you will finish the book, maybe over winter break.

This is a wonderful, informative, and thought-provoking book, but I need to point out some limitations.

• It neglects some important theories that help explain some of the things it describes. We will discuss some of these in class (e.g., the theory of induced innovation).
• It does an excellent job on the importance of corn, but it conflates the development of hybrid seeds and fertilizer-intensive seeds. These are two different stories and they teach us different things about how the world works; this will be discussed in class.
• It is a wide-ranging overview of some key aspects of our food system; although it does go into depth on a few topics (like the ecology of the non-industrial organic farm), for the most part it doesn't moffer the supporting references and data that would be demanded in academic circles. You are strongly encouraged to look more closely at issues it raises; the references in the back are a starting place, and some references will be made available in class or on the website; for interested students, I can provide other leads to academic literature.

You will find there is a lot to think about (and to be able to discuss) in this book. Here are some examples of questions to keep in mind as you read. They are in no particular order, and some more may be added later.

It will be argued in class that capital works very hard to develop input factors that farmers will, in effect, have to adopt. What is involved in a farmer refusing to adopt an innovation? Discuss with respect to Naylor and GM seeds, and especially with respect to Salatin and a wide range of inputs.

What is the political interpretation of the "unleashing of a plague of cheap corn"?

Explain how our farm system came to favor overproduction of corn. Why is it ironic that farmers measure "success" by yields per acre?

Explain just what Cargill and ADM do, and what their relationship to the farmer is.

What is high fructose corn syrup? Why is it so important in the economy of corn and in our diet?

What does "organic" mean?

• to Albert Howard? 
• to Gene Kahn? 
• Summarize the conflict between the Organic Industry and the Organic Movement.  How are these differences expressed in organic standards? 
• How does Industrial Organic reflect the principles of one/either/both of these poles?

What is the "NPK mentality" and what does it have to do with a) general eco-food philosophies and b)commodification?

In what sense does Pollan conclude an organic meal is "better" and in what sense not?

Compare pork production under the industrial model (e.g., CAFOs) and under the biological model (e.g., Polyface Farm). 

Why is grass so vital to the organic-biological farming model?  Why does the reliance on grass make the system to badly at odds with the conventional agricultural system?