tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27951078.post439904708802698075..comments2024-02-02T05:45:33.724-06:00Comments on Incoming: John Phippshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03245790061133614986noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27951078.post-38315931199827403372009-10-16T11:27:07.631-06:002009-10-16T11:27:07.631-06:00I agree with above comments except....sometimes th...I agree with above comments except....sometimes the situation is not one that farmers expect praise, it is one that a farmer gets vilified by opponents in a community for proposing to expand or diversify their business. If there is no conflict prior and one is created, then an attack can follow which filters to the entire farming community. It is understandable that farmers get defensive when they come under new and harsh scrutiny. It may be less about expecting praise and more about, let the farmer do their job and have a little faith that the farmer can handle it and be mindful of environmental issues or nuisance concerns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27951078.post-42904355076280396542009-10-12T19:10:46.755-06:002009-10-12T19:10:46.755-06:00I was all set to type a complimentary response, an...I was all set to type a complimentary response, and the first commenter nailed it.Vines and Cattlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27951078.post-38054781211662087302009-10-11T19:44:13.054-06:002009-10-11T19:44:13.054-06:00John. As usual your comments make sense. I too t...John. As usual your comments make sense. I too think Ag has over reacted to Pollan and the local food movement. But from a larger perspective, I think the reason many farmers respond the way they do is that they are conditioned to expect, no demand that the public bow down in continual praise and adoration for the work they do to produce food. Ag marketers spout praise to farmers all the time as a way to suck up to farmers and make the sale. Farmers as a whole just cannot stand when someone criticizes them for whatever reason and then they get defensive and react badly. In looking at the big picture, I think a lot of people in ag need to chill. There are a lot of occupations that do good things for society and no one ever praises them either, so why should agriculture and farmers be any different. Lowered expectations of praise would do a lot to lower farmers' collective blood pressure, thicken their emotional skin and perhaps allow them to look at various public issues from a clearer and less emotional and defensive perspective. Public opinion varies greatly and not everyone is going to love and praise farmers and modern agriculture. Live with that thought and live longer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com