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Factory Farms-CAFOs

Nov 24, 2020
3 min

A New Agenda for Farm Bill 2023

I have been writing a regular column for the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development for the past 10 years. My co...

John Ikerd

Sep 27, 2020
8 min

Can We Afford a New Bill of Rights?

How can the U.S. government pay the economic costs of fulfilling its responsibility to secure liberty and justice for all?

John Ikerd

Sep 11, 2020
5 min

Government is Not a Business

“We need to run government like a business”--a common refrain in the U.S. But, governments and businesses have very different purposes.

Coronavirus Reveals Corporate Colonization of Rural Economies

John Ikerd

May 5, 2020
6 min

Coronavirus Reveals Corporate Colonization of Rural Economies

The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the absolute economic dependency of farming communities on the corporately controlled agri-food sys...

COVID-19 Crises Reveals Need for Systemic Change

John Ikerd

Apr 24, 2020
5 min

COVID-19 Crises Reveals Need for Systemic Change

In my previous blog post, I focused on opportunities for specific changes in the food system created by the COVID-19 crisis.

Crisis and Opportunity for Local Food Systems

John Ikerd

Apr 24, 2020
7 min

Crisis and Opportunity for Local Food Systems

A response to questions I have been asked about the implications of the coronavirus pandemic for the future of the food system.

"Feeding the World" Without Industrial Agriculture

John Ikerd

Apr 23, 2020
16 min

"Feeding the World" Without Industrial Agriculture

“American Farmers Feed the World!” This popular myth is promoted to maintain public support for a failed system of industrial agriculture.

Can We Afford the Economic Costs of COVID-19?

John Ikerd

Apr 10, 2020
5 min

Can We Afford the Economic Costs of COVID-19?

Those of us who are unaffected, or less affected, economically by the crisis can easily afford to pay the economic costs of public health.

Place-Based Food: Reconnecting People with Purpose and Place

John Ikerd

Aug 26, 2019
1 min

Place-Based Food: Reconnecting People with Purpose and Place

We are living through a time of fundamental change in human society, as is becoming increasingly clear. Climate change, fossil energy dep...

Climate Change Policy for a New Green Economy

John Ikerd

Jul 23, 2019
15 min

Climate Change Policy for a New Green Economy

In meeting the challenges of climate change, we can choose; We can bet on market-based solutions or follow the path of the Green New Deal.

John Ikerd

Jun 7, 2019
6 min

Why is Antitrust Reform a Big Deal?

Several presidential candidates are promising to reform antitrust policies to restore competition to markets. This blog examines why.

The Corporatization of Animal Agriculture

John Ikerd

Feb 21, 2019
6 min

The Corporatization of Animal Agriculture

We are now seeing a corporate takeover of dairy production, which is the last bastion of full-time, independent animal production.

John Ikerd

Jan 21, 2019
5 min

How the Economy Stole Democracy

The Constitution of the United States gives very few economic responsibilities to government.

John Ikerd

Nov 17, 2018
5 min

We Must Make Government Work!

If we are to preserve our democracy and continue living in a civilized society, we must make government work. Unfortunately, too many Ame...

Is a Civilizational Collapse Inevitable?

John Ikerd

Aug 20, 2018
6 min

Is a Civilizational Collapse Inevitable?

Over the past few months, I have heard and read several urgent warnings of an impending civilizational collapse from highly respected voi...

John Ikerd

Apr 21, 2018
4 min

The Three Great Separations

We are confronted today with a multidimensional ecological, social, and economic crises that is rooted in our growing sense of disconnect...

John Ikerd

Dec 1, 2017
5 min

Can a Big Farm Be Sustainable?

Does farm size matter for agricultural sustainability? My answer consistently has been, yes! It’s easier to manage a small farm sustainab...

John Ikerd

Nov 17, 2017
5 min

Rural Communities of Necessity

People in rural communities are beginning to join forces to defend their health and well-being against the inherent threats posed by conc...

Reflections on Science & Alternative Facts: Part 3 – Final

John Ikerd

Oct 29, 2017
5 min

Reflections on Science & Alternative Facts: Part 3 – Final

How do we make wise decisions during times of disagreement regarding facts? As I stated in my previous blog: “Even more important than di...

Reflections on Science & Alternative Facts: Part 2 of 3

John Ikerd

Oct 1, 2017
4 min

Reflections on Science & Alternative Facts: Part 2 of 3

When two intelligent, informed people disagree about the “facts” of a particular situation it doesn’t necessarily mean that one is right ...

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Other Stuff

John Ikerd

Author, Speaker & Leader in Sustainability

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A New Agenda for Farm Bill 2023

Can We Afford a New Bill of Rights?

Government is Not a Business

Coronavirus Reveals Corporate Colonization of Rural Economies

COVID-19 Crises Reveals Need for Systemic Change

Crisis and Opportunity for Local Food Systems

"Feeding the World" Without Industrial Agriculture

Can We Afford the Economic Costs of COVID-19?

Place-Based Food: Reconnecting People with Purpose and Place

Climate Change Policy for a New Green Economy

Why is Antitrust Reform a Big Deal?

The Corporatization of Animal Agriculture

How the Economy Stole Democracy

We Must Make Government Work!

Is a Civilizational Collapse Inevitable?

The Three Great Separations

Can a Big Farm Be Sustainable?

Rural Communities of Necessity

Reflections on Science & Alternative Facts: Part 3 – Final

Reflections on Science & Alternative Facts: Part 2 of 3