tHoUgHtS & pErSpEcTiVeS

Last night, in a restless act of trying to finish one of the many books I've started and giving myself the mental exhaustion needed for sleep, I attempted to finish the last chapter of a book.

The author was discussing genetic modified farming practices and described his visits to 3 different farms. In reading his description of the various farming practices, I comprehended them as perspectives in approaching life.

The first farm he visited used Monsanto products [genetically modified organisms (GMO)- potatoes] but was at the mercy of the corporation and his buyer as to what product to plant [only one type of potatoe for McDonald's, which is susceptible to a certain disease causing brown spots on the skin that is solely cosmetic but McDonald's will not buy b/c they 'look' bad, meaning an extra heaping of pesticides is in order]. He also stated his feelings about alternate farming practices and that he always plant a small crop for his own consumption, which do not undergo the strenuous chemical practices that his other fields do.

The second farmer also used GMOs but was more high tech. [all his crops were run with computers] and he owned stock in the chemical distributors of the area. He gave the impression, at least to the author and to me, that he was in control and comfortable with his practices, though his farm underwent the same as the previous farmer.

The last farm the author visited was that of an organic potatoe farmer. It is not nay surprise to most that I would see this way of farming as optimum choice, but was interesting was its comparison with the other 2 farms. The organic farm used no chemical pesticide treatments, he used other means, such as planting other plants to deter the pests or varying rotation as to confuse the beetles, and ect. Though the inputs were far less, it requires more man-power to weed and keep the crops running, but it was the natural way to go about farming.

What interested me was the 3 perspectives. One being at the mercy at the corporations and buyers, the second not feeling helpless because he was not only a farmer but part of the corporate aspect, and the third working with the land being apart of what he was doing.... not feeling governed by it or governing it, but helping the earth create nourishment for others... giving the time and nrg, not sitting behind a desk at a computer screen, or running away from a pesticide ridden field.

I feel as though the third perspective is where I am trying to be but more often I feel like the first farmer. I would never want to be in the shoes of the second farmer, b/c I do not agree with that way of life, and I am striving to be in the company of the third farmer but often feel trapped in the shoes of the first farmer. Under the control of the corporations and at their mercy.

This is something I battle with every day..... How to live in society and not be apart of it? It seems like a trick question... one that is unanswerable.