from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
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| THE ECONOMIC PAMPHLETEER COLUMN |
Common sense in a time of uncertainty Column by John Ikerd (U of Missouri, Columbia; Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics) The future of farm and food policy, and thus the future of the sustainable/local food movement, is unforeseeably uncertain in today's cultural and political environment. |
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"By executive orders, 'Hundreds of thousands of lawful, signed, active contracts and grants—supporting critical conservation payments, farmer technical assistance, sustainable agriculture research, market infrastructure, and so much more, and representing billions of dollars in federal funding—are frozen, which threatens farms, jobs, and livelihoods in communities nationwide' (National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, 2025, para. 1).
"At the time of this writing in March 2025, the USDA has just cut two programs that have spent over US$1 billion annually to help schools and food banks buy food from local farmers and ranchers. With the previous administration, such programs were a priority; with the current administration, they are a waste of taxpayers’ money. Who knows how many, if any, of the commitments made by the previous administration will be reinstated? How can farmers and nonprofit organizations anticipate or plan for whatever might come next? . . .
"It is impossible to reach a consensus regarding what the government should or should not do without a public consensus that distinguishes private gain from public service and lies from truth. The future of farm and food policy, and thus the future of the sustainable/local food movement, is unforeseeably uncertain in today’s cultural and political environment. So how can we cope with this kind of uncertainty? I contend there is no better way than to start by returning to things we know are true, or first principles. Truth cannot conflict with truth; thus, fallacies will be revealed as conflicts with truth. . . ."
Read the entire JAFSCD column for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.143.001 SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS
"Claims that living systems can be managed as specialized, standardized, mechanized, digitized, centrally controlled mechanisms or algorithms conflict with our common sense of reality and thus cannot be accepted as truth." John Ikerd asserts that the sustainable/local food movement can provide steadfast examples of organizations and communities guided by truth and goodness. Read the latest Economic Pamphleteer column at JAFSCD for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.143.001
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Photo above: John Ikerd is professor emeritus of agricultural economics, University of Missouri, Columbia.
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JAFSCD peer-reviewed article by Robert J. Moriarity (Toronto Metropolitan U), Meaghan J. Wilton (U of Toronto), Eric N. Liberda (Toronto Metropolitan U), Tim Drew, Ada John, and Howard Jeddore (all at Conne River Health and Social Services), Atanu Sarkar (Memorial U), Jim D. Karagatzides (Georgian College), and Leonard J. S. Tsuji (U of Toronto)
Indigenous communities face unique challenges related to food security, particularly in remote regions where access to fresh produce is limited. In a new JAFSCD article, Establishing a community garden in Miawpukek First Nation, Newfoundland, Canada: Research brief on soil contamination challenges and solutions, Moriarity and colleagues examine the establishment of community gardens in Miawpukek First Nation (MFN) in Newfoundland, Canada, to address food security concerns. Their study highlights the importance of soil testing, innovative garden bed designs, and collaboration with community members to ensure safe and sustainable food production. Corresponding author Rob Moriarity can be contacted at rob.moriarity@torontomu.ca
KEY FINDINGS
Soil testing at potential garden sites revealed inorganic arsenic (As) levels exceeding Canadian agricultural guidelines, deeming the local soil unsafe for crop cultivation. Hügelkultur-style raised beds filled with imported soil successfully mitigated contamination risks. Potatoes grown in the raised beds contained undetectable As levels; potatoes grown in the local soil required peeling and washing to mitigate As exposure.
Kale grown in both raised beds and local soil remained within safety limits, showcasing the importance of crop selection in contaminated environments.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH
Soil testing should be a prerequisite for community garden projects, particularly in areas with a history of contamination or challenging geologies. Raised garden beds using imported soil offer a practical solution for mitigating soil contamination, although the financial and logistical implications need to be addressed, as costs escalate easily. Community education on safe gardening practices, including washing and peeling certain produce, is critical for food safety. Further research should focus on cost-effective soil remediation methods and long-term strategies for sustainable food production in rural and remote areas.
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Soil contamination doesn’t have to stop community gardening! Read how Miawpukek First Nation built safe, sustainable gardens despite soil contamination. #gardening #soilscience #indigenouscommunities #foodsecurity Read the full @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.143.004
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This project was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FRN 166186 and FRN 181128) and the Indigenous Services Canada, Climate Change and Health Adaptation (CCHAP) program. Photo above: Hügelkultur-style beds arranged in a local community garden area. New kale and potato plans are visible in some of the beds. Photo by Meaghan Wilton. |
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