>Status: U
>Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>From: "Mark Musick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: Community Food Security Coalition <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: The Unsettling of America 25 Years Later
>Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 08:43:11 -0800
>X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
>Importance: Normal
>Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>On April 25-27 Georgetown College will host "The Future of
>Agrarianism" conference to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the
>publication of Wendell Berry's The Unsettling of America. In
>addition to reflections by Wendell Berry, speakers will include
>Vandana Shiva, Mark Ritchie, Wes Jackson, Susan Witt, and Fred
>Kirschenmann.
>
>
>
>The Unsettling of America was a pivotal manifesto for the
>sustainable agriculture movement. Originally published by the Sierra
>Club in 1977, it is both an incisive indictment of agricultural
>industrialization and an eloquent plea for the re-integration of
>culture and agriculture.
>
>
>
>For the conference agenda and registration see:
>
>
>
><http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/future_agrarianism_agenda.htm>http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/future_agrarianism_agenda.htm
>
>
>
>For information on The Unsettling of America and Berry's other writings see:
>
>
>
><http://www.serve.com/ecobooks/unsettli.htm>http://www.serve.com/ecobooks/unsettli.htm
>
>
>
>Below is background information about the conference from Norman
>Wirzba, Chair of the Philosophy Department at Georgetown College:
>
>
>
>*****
>
>
>
>The Future of Agrarianism:
>
>Considering The Unsettling of America 25 Years Later
>
>
>
>The demise of traditional farming practices and the destruction of
>local farming communities in the last several decades represent an
>unparalleled cultural development. If in past centuries the majority
>of people had intimate and direct knowledge of the agrarian bases
>for life's success (we need safe food and food production practices
>to live well), this is no longer the case. Most people today,
>including planners, legislators, and educators, have little or no
>appreciation for how healthy cultural life depends on practices that
>promote healthy land. If we damage the soil, water, and air upon
>which we necessarily depend, we ultimately damage ourselves and put
>at risk our children's futures.
>
>
>
>Wendell Berry's seminal book The Unsettling of America made this
>point very clear nearly 25 years ago (the conference will mark the
>25th anniversary of its publication). It is now time to assess the
>continuing validity and impact of this book. Our conference will
>bring together economists, educators, agrarians, lawyers, community
>activists, and others to determine how an agrarian agenda might
>greater affect broad-stream cultural debate, and thus redirect
>current destructive and irresponsible practices to a more
>responsible and life-promoting course.
>
>
>
>The aim of this conference is not simply to rehearse the many
>problems we face in farming communities. Rather, it is to creatively
>construct and implement policies and action plans that will model
>more responsible and authentically human life, and in so doing
>foster the care of all life. Clearly this will involve challenging
>dominant cultural practices. But it will also entail envisioning an
>agrarian informed future that takes seriously agrarian
>responsibilities without the whole population becoming farmers.
>Urban life can integrate agrarian insights in such a manner as to
>promote the health and vitality of all of life's members.
>
>
>
>This conference will be of interest to a wide spectrum of people
>ranging from farmers to environmentalists to educators to policy
>experts. Fans of Wendell Berry's work will also be highly motivated
>to come since his work will receive sustained attention. The
>conference is not geared primarily for specialists. It will be
>accessible to people from various backgrounds, and their
>contributions and discussion will be encouraged in the conference
>proceedings (ample time will be devoted for free discussion).
>
>
