The other day I happened to be making a delivery during 1040 WHO’s “Big Show” (that’s the agricultural show if you’re scoring at home). It was a rare occurrence because usually I’m safe and sound inside the store or eating lunch during that show, but the other day I was able to catch just a tiny tidbit of it while they were broadcasting from the “Commodity Classic” or something like that and using it as an opportunity to share their disagreement and possible dislike of Michael Pollan, Food, Inc., and other things along those lines. I would consider myself a fan of the “Big Show” even though I may disagree with them from time to time. And, I really have no problem with them refuting things from Food Inc. or Mr. Pollan … I mean that is the beauty of our country right … opinions …
What really struck me though is that each side of the “battle” is accusing the other of spreading propaganda. Which lead me to the definition of propaganda … according to Merriam-Webster ::
the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect
The crazy thing about that definition is that whether or not something is truth is not a part of propaganda. It is all about using a certain set of facts or information in order to sway people to your way of think. With that definition of propaganda one could say that every issue in the world right now has propaganda on both sides of that issue. That is why the Corn Refiners Association is putting out this commercial and my King Corn friends have made this spoof. It is why Mr. Pollan has written The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals and The Center for Consumer Freedom has published articles like this, this, and this.
Do you know what I think of all that? I think I enjoy reading Mr. Pollan’s books and articles. I think I enjoy listening to “The Big Show” even when I disagree with them … even when I disagree strongly with them. I think that there is probably some problem with High Fructose Corn Syrup and that I probably eat too much of it with out thinking about it. At the same time I think it’s funny that the spoof by my “King Corn” friends uses tobacco to prove their point … some would say that their commercial was also an anti-tobacco spoof (I think that is ironic). I think that we should be paying more for food and I think that those that argue for the need of industrial agriculture because of starvation worldwide should be spending more time overseas helping feed people instead of writing about it or fighting for a system that may or may not be helping those really in need … (I think a lot as you can see) …
But, do you really want to know what I think? I think I raise great pork chops, bacon, roasts, burgers, and all sorts of other goodies. I think I raise food that has a taste that you won’t find at your local box store. I think I love when I hear former conventional confinement hog farmers lament that the pork chops that they were raising tasted nothing like the beauties they ate when they were a kid … his honest to goodness description of the pork chops he was raising … “cardboard” … that’s what he said! Basically I think I raise some great tasting pork and beef (and eventually lamb and poultry) and I think everyone should buy some because they will love the way it tastes and will find out that meat does have taste that makes your mouth water.
How about that for your daily dose of propaganda. What do You think? Does this farm propaganda frustrate you? Make you think? Or maybe make you tune it out? I know that I just want to continue raising great food in a great way as long as there are people that appreciate it and love it!
I’ve been told recently that non conventional farmers need to have more respect for conventional farmers and stop trashing what they do. How can I explain why I do things the way I do without explaining why conventional practices are harmful or produce something of a lesser quality? I don’t think being respectful means being silent. Being a farmer is hardwork, I respect that, but I do not think shooting animals with hormones and antibiotics for faster growth or more production is a good thing no matter how hard that farm works. You know?
AnonymousMarch 7, 2011, 3:56 pm
An educated guess based on research of “facts” is required to make useful information out of any propaganda.
Labels and name calling are simply distractions.
Concerning Michael Pollen, His perspective is more sustainable. It is more right. Maximizing profits hurts the planet and everything on it. Responsible and sustainable food production is our only way forward. Yes there are too many people on the planet, yes we are currently forced to be dependent on unsustainable petroleum and coal to feed everyone. We can change this but lifestyles will have to change. The fat cat free ride and greedy lifestyle must come to an end for the Big corporations and mega-rich. Every gallon of corn syrup consumed hurts the planet and its ecosystem just that much more. Every time. (research corn syrup production and bioligical harms) People just keep drinking it. They are drinking their own futures away. Call this post propaganda, call it fair, call it bullshit, it does not matter. The point is We have to be more responsible to each other and ourselves. Ever choice and action matters. Every one.
Talking about corn syrup, propaganda, and the pork you produce reminds me of the original “Coca-Cola” being replaced with the improved “New Coke”, and eventual appearance of “Classic Coke” of the mid 1980’s.
The theory is that the Coca-Cola corporation (and all soft drink manufacturers), wanted to switch from using cane sugar to using corn syrup, but corn syrup is simply super sweet and doesn’t have the mouth feel or taste of cane sugar so it destroyed the flavor of the original Coca-Cola.
So, New Coke was introduced to wean the public off of the original cane sugar taste and flavor, then after people complained about the sickly sweet tasteless New Coke, Classic Coke was introduced and the transition was complete.
In my opinion, that is the problem with corn syrup, it is tasteless and is only sweet without any real “taste” (if that makes sense). Since it is just sweet, anything made with it fails to satisfy the taste buds and leads to over-consumption. It won’t poison you and is nutritionally the same as cane sugar, but it causes health problems due to the over-consumption.
The same can be said about most pork or beef, there isn’t anything nutritionally different between the meat in the store and from your farm. But, the taste and texture is different because it is produced in a different way.
Some people think they like the soft drinks sold today, but they have never tasted a soft drink made with real cane sugar. They like the pork in the store, but they have probably never tasted the pork you raise.
Exposing people to different products is the problem, and I don’t think that can be easily accomplished by claiming that corn syrup or factory raised pork is bad for either the eater or the environment.
Rich … I can see what your saying. But, I wasn’t implying that conventional pork is bad … I was just saying that mine is better 😉 I have to believe that or there really would be no purpose for me raising it the way I do because it can be down more easily in a modern way.
Also, I think that some would say that my pork is more healthy because of many factors … but then it gets down to propaganda again?
I have tired of hearing the “Good pig, bad pig” script over and over. Instead we just offer samples and give aways and our pastured pork oinks for itself. The best propaganda is the consumer who keeps driving out to your farm.
Good points Donna … But, don’t you believe your pork is better than some others? I guess I think you have to believe in what you’re selling … Especially when you put all the time into it. I like your use if “propaganda” though 😉 Nothing speaks louder than the taste of a product you’re proud of! And if someone decides they don’t like what I offer that’s cool as well …
“…I can see what your saying. But, I wasn’t implying that conventional pork is bad … I was just saying that mine is better ;)…”
I didn’t mean to leave the impression that you specifically had said that conventional pork was bad.
I was responding in general to the position that people like Pollan and some direct marketing farmers seem to take.
In my opinion, selling your product based on its unique merits (as you do) instead of basing your marketing on claims that the other guy is selling an inferior product (which doesn’t say anything about the product they are selling) is the only way to be successful as a business in the long run.
I try to explain how my beef is raised to the customer, how other beef is raised is irrelevant in my opinion.
friends have made this spoof. It is why Mr. Pollan has written The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
and The Center for Consumer Freedom has published articles like this, this, and this.
I’ve been told recently that non conventional farmers need to have more respect for conventional farmers and stop trashing what they do. How can I explain why I do things the way I do without explaining why conventional practices are harmful or produce something of a lesser quality? I don’t think being respectful means being silent. Being a farmer is hardwork, I respect that, but I do not think shooting animals with hormones and antibiotics for faster growth or more production is a good thing no matter how hard that farm works. You know?
An educated guess based on research of “facts” is required to make useful information out of any propaganda.
Labels and name calling are simply distractions.
Concerning Michael Pollen, His perspective is more sustainable. It is more right. Maximizing profits hurts the planet and everything on it. Responsible and sustainable food production is our only way forward. Yes there are too many people on the planet, yes we are currently forced to be dependent on unsustainable petroleum and coal to feed everyone. We can change this but lifestyles will have to change. The fat cat free ride and greedy lifestyle must come to an end for the Big corporations and mega-rich. Every gallon of corn syrup consumed hurts the planet and its ecosystem just that much more. Every time. (research corn syrup production and bioligical harms) People just keep drinking it. They are drinking their own futures away. Call this post propaganda, call it fair, call it bullshit, it does not matter. The point is We have to be more responsible to each other and ourselves. Ever choice and action matters. Every one.
Talking about corn syrup, propaganda, and the pork you produce reminds me of the original “Coca-Cola” being replaced with the improved “New Coke”, and eventual appearance of “Classic Coke” of the mid 1980’s.
The theory is that the Coca-Cola corporation (and all soft drink manufacturers), wanted to switch from using cane sugar to using corn syrup, but corn syrup is simply super sweet and doesn’t have the mouth feel or taste of cane sugar so it destroyed the flavor of the original Coca-Cola.
So, New Coke was introduced to wean the public off of the original cane sugar taste and flavor, then after people complained about the sickly sweet tasteless New Coke, Classic Coke was introduced and the transition was complete.
In my opinion, that is the problem with corn syrup, it is tasteless and is only sweet without any real “taste” (if that makes sense). Since it is just sweet, anything made with it fails to satisfy the taste buds and leads to over-consumption. It won’t poison you and is nutritionally the same as cane sugar, but it causes health problems due to the over-consumption.
The same can be said about most pork or beef, there isn’t anything nutritionally different between the meat in the store and from your farm. But, the taste and texture is different because it is produced in a different way.
Some people think they like the soft drinks sold today, but they have never tasted a soft drink made with real cane sugar. They like the pork in the store, but they have probably never tasted the pork you raise.
Exposing people to different products is the problem, and I don’t think that can be easily accomplished by claiming that corn syrup or factory raised pork is bad for either the eater or the environment.
Rich … I can see what your saying. But, I wasn’t implying that conventional pork is bad … I was just saying that mine is better 😉 I have to believe that or there really would be no purpose for me raising it the way I do because it can be down more easily in a modern way.
Also, I think that some would say that my pork is more healthy because of many factors … but then it gets down to propaganda again?
All these thoughts are helpful though I believe …
I have tired of hearing the “Good pig, bad pig” script over and over. Instead we just offer samples and give aways and our pastured pork oinks for itself. The best propaganda is the consumer who keeps driving out to your farm.
Good points Donna … But, don’t you believe your pork is better than some others? I guess I think you have to believe in what you’re selling … Especially when you put all the time into it. I like your use if “propaganda” though 😉 Nothing speaks louder than the taste of a product you’re proud of! And if someone decides they don’t like what I offer that’s cool as well …
“…I can see what your saying. But, I wasn’t implying that conventional pork is bad … I was just saying that mine is better ;)…”
I didn’t mean to leave the impression that you specifically had said that conventional pork was bad.
I was responding in general to the position that people like Pollan and some direct marketing farmers seem to take.
In my opinion, selling your product based on its unique merits (as you do) instead of basing your marketing on claims that the other guy is selling an inferior product (which doesn’t say anything about the product they are selling) is the only way to be successful as a business in the long run.
I try to explain how my beef is raised to the customer, how other beef is raised is irrelevant in my opinion.