Northern Farmer

Do we really need another word to define agriculture? I think so. Folks, I don’t come at this easily. I am not normally one to wrangle about words, but we all must agree that the government has adulterated words like “organic”, and “natural”, and they are working hard at “Grass-Fed.” Remember, once USDA defines a word, it’s open to legislation. This means it can be re-defined by the highest bidder.

I say let’s coin our own word, define it first, and lay claim to it before anyone else does. I put forth “Authentic Agriculture.” Authentic means “made or done in the original, traditional way, or in a way that faithfully resembles an original.”

What is “original” agriculture? Well, we look to our origins and the Bible for our guidance on that. Ask yourself this question. If you were stranded on a desert island, and had nothing but the Bible in your hands, no TV, no grocery stores, no big ag companies, no universities, nothing but the island and the Bible, what would you conclude about agriculture?

Would you think it normal to pump animals full of drugs to help them live in cramped quarters? Would you think about food in an industrial, efficiency-minded manner? Would you think about killing weeds with chemicals? Would you conclude that man should buy all his food from a grocery store, where it has been grown and prepared by minimum-wage-earning strangers? I say not.

Here’s what I would conclude, using the Bible as my guide:

1. God Created everything. Gen 1:1
2. God was the original, authentic farmer. Gen. 2:8
3. Man was created to cultivate the soil. Gen. 2:5, 15 (in fact, nothing grew until man showed up. God put in all on hold for us to care for.) If man doesn’t in some fashion practice this God-directed, God-ordained occupation, he is not fulfilling his purpose as given to him by his Maker.
4. God gave everything to man, for his good, and for God’s Glory. Gen 2:16, 9:3

These become the foundational elements of Authentic Agriculture.

It is imperative that we use the Bible and God’s creative process as our foundational definition of Authentic Agriculture. Remember, “He who defines the argument, carries the day.” The main reason for this definition is to redeem the current state of affairs in agriculture for the Glory of God. In addition to this, if Authentic Agriculture does not include as a foundational element, our dependence on God and His authority over all of creation, then it will be twisted by supposedly well-meaning folks who want it to be regulated, challenged and defensible.

As Christians, we can stand on the word of God in this definition. Once that has been established, the government won’t touch it for fear of impinging on our freedom of religion.

Folks, I know from first hand experience in working for the government that governmental agencies are completely “politically correct.” Oddly, elected officials and military folks often seem to transcend this (i.e. Ford’s funeral, military chaplains, etc..). More on this later. Therefore, once Authentic Agriculture is clearly defined, no one in government will be interested in legislating the definition.

More details on this will be rolled out in subsequent posts, but let me conclude by anticipating some objections:

1. Sounds like you are saying only Christians can be “authentic” farmers. No, I am not, I am saying that Authentic Agriculture acknowledges God as the Author and Creator of all things. It may seem to be the next logical conclusion that authentic farmers, acknowledging God as Author and Creator, would be Christians… But really, that makes Authentic Agriculture an evangelistic outreach!
2. I’m not sure I like Authentic Agriculture, it might turn potential non-Christian customers away. Two responses to that one: Yes, it might, and so what? The Bible teaches that God is our provider. Being Authentic in all aspects of life included trusting Him for our survival. Secondly, I doubt it will because when food is produced Authentically, it is so good, people will come.
3. Are you saying that if I am not a farmer, I’m somehow sinning in my non-farm occupation? No I am not. I am saying that if you live your life on this earth and know nothing about how food was created for us to be used, and all you eat is what you find on the shelf and Wal-Mart, McD’s or Appleby’s, and you are simply a part of the ever-advancing pop culture of food, then you are living an unauthentic, unhealthy, destructive life, you are deceived into thinking you are OK, because you are doing what everyone else does. I am saying you need to grow and eat a tomato of your own at some point in your life.

So there you are, go ahead, rein fire on it, cheer it, or ignore it, but by all means, think about it! Soon, I’ll launching the website: www.authenticagriculture.com this is where you’ll find the latest thinking in this area. Thanks Tom, for letting me go public with this here!

GFJ

This entry was posted on Friday, January 19th, 2007 at 3:06 pm and is filed under Good Farmer John. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.