3 Way Reading Response

Pollan and Hurst are two men with very different views on the agricultural world. Michael Pollan is the author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, a book that discusses the different paths people take to obtain their food. In his writing, he criticizes the industrial farming community and challenges them to take a different approach to it. On the other side is Blake Hurst, a farmer for over 30 years that grows corn (the crop that Pollan says is taking over the world). Hurst wrote an article defending the type of farming that he does from Pollan's remarks, and called Pollan out on not welcoming advances in technology. Both men have very different views are both are justifiably correct. So how is it that these two men, both of whom are experts in their respective fields of work/study, cannot agree on a type of farming that is sustainable AND yields profits? Another person in the mix is Eliot Coleman who wrote "Real Food, Real Farming". He argues that organic farming is the way to go, similarly to Pollan. Coleman is ALSO a farmer, like Hurst, and the fact that he has a different view on GMO's (genetically modified organisms) and the way cattle should be raised from a fellow farmer is interesting. His thoughts on what "real" food means is controversial, but claims that they are set from a scientific fact point. Coleman claims to get to know "Nature better" because of the biologically backed techniques he has adapted. What he doesn't seem to consider, however, is that some years a large crop yield just is not likely and that biologically there is nothing that can be done about it. Personally, I agree least with Hurst. While I agree that having GMO's are not hurting anyone and if they mean a bigger crop yield, I do not see why we cannot take advantage of that. I disagree with Hurst that cattle and other livestock could be raised in a way that fattens them but doesn't allow them to live the grazing lives they were supposed to, however. Hurst also claims to have his livestock grain-fed for their own protection, thought that doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. I personally know that weasels kill turkeys (as I have seen it in action), but there are ways to allow the turkeys to be free-range(ish) AND keep them safe. There are fences and devices to put in the ground to drive the weasels away and sprays and so many defensive tools. My first action would not be to simply put all the animals inside a giant tent, but I have not been farming for 30 years.