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On Friday, Aug. 21, TIME
magazine published an online article entitled "Getting
Real About the High Price of Cheap Food."
The article is expected to be the cover story in
the TIME printed edition of August 31.
Many, including Farm Bureau, labeled the article
one-sided at best.
Below is the letter to the editor from Kansas
Farm Bureau President Steve Baccus.
August 25, 2009
Time Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Dear Editor,
There’s no doubt that American
society is smack in the middle of a transition.
The way we raise crops and livestock on the
family farm today is vastly different than the
way my father did it a generation ago.
Like every other American
industry, we’ve become more efficient and
effective. The production practices I use are
ethically grounded, scientifically verified and
economically viable. They allow me to maximize
efficiency and meet the growing global demand
for food, fuel and fiber.
Increasingly in recent years, I
have noticed assumptions made on the part of
groups and individuals who lack a clear idea
about what I do for a living. That’s human
nature. People tend to draw conclusions based,
in part, on what they hear, read and see.
That’s an enormous part of the
societal transition we’re living through. In
2009, the overwhelming majority of Americans
lack a direct, personal connection with family
farming. Most Americans have no idea that family
farmers like me are dedicated to producing food
that is safe, abundant and affordable. I take
great pride in knowing that consumers can go to
their local grocery store or restaurant and
purchase food that is safe and wholesome for
their family.
Clearly, the editors and
reporters at Time magazine missed this
point in writing and publishing the August 31
cover story.
Or worse, knew this point existed
and chose to ignore it.
To imply or bluntly state that
those farmers and ranchers are using chemicals
and manure to purposefully poison that land is
dangerously ignorant and shows a total lack of
understanding of the issue. It is troubling to
think that Time magazine, of all media
outlets, failed to do the kind of research we’ve
grown to expect on the most basic level.
I always considered Time
magazine sort of a bellwether of American
journalism. I knew when I picked up a copy,
there would be certain points of view with which
I, personally, would not agree, but on the main
– I could expect fair, balanced coverage of
issues and trends that impact my life.
I no longer feel that way.
Steve Baccus, president
Kansas Farm Bureau
Comments?
Heidi
Wells, RD, CSSD, LD
Great letter, Steve. Thank you for representing
Kansas farmers in such a well written letter to
the editor of Time magazine.
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