I grew up on a farm that had an orchard from which we sold fruit, a garden of vegetables which we canned, or stored for the winter. We had a small but diverse population of animals which we butchered for food. My dad was at the tail end of farmers who raised horses and mules as draft animals. Today most people have no idea where their food comes from nor do they realize the damage that is being done to the environment to raise both crops and livestock. I don't know what it takes to make more people aware that our very existence depends on paying attention to what it is happening where it is produced.
This one is another really informative and insightful exposition. One can not only be frustrated but also intensely angered that so few people care to realize what is happening. I think of the Perry plant closing with such massive loss of jobs. Almost certainly our Republican legislature has more concern with getting more guns into the Perry school than it has with the Perry workers and families whose lives are so disrupted. They gleefully reduced unemployment benefits earlier, of course, to please their corporate masters.
One reason for the Perry plant closure is the inability to operate a 'second shift'. Oscar Mayer had no problem having a second shift when they were in operation. The State even turned State Highway 141 into a four lane that ended at the plant's gate. Further, the Stae ran a shuttle service to bring in migrants that were unable to get tp Perry due to lack of Driver's licenses and transportation. One wag suggested the road widening was an effort to keep young Eric Branstad from passing in a no passing zone, but that's untrue. It's because the railroads, having reached the end of their contracted '100 years of Service' couldn't maintain profitability with so few customers. So, bring on the trucks...
We are incredibly lucky to have someone like Austin delve deeply into this subject matter. In 1992 A.V. Krebs, a friend long passed, wrote a book “The Corporate Reapers: The Book of Agribusiness” that exposed many of the barons then. Austin has continued to expose the evil side of capitalism. My hope is that others will wake up to stop this madness. Every day we march closer to authoritarianism and I’m damned scared.
Thank you for mentioning Scholten's newsletter. I have subscribed also. I have recently returned to Iowa. I know Scholten has come up short on two bids for Congress. Has he considered running for governor?
It would be healthy for challengers to Reynolds to start talking about running against her. It would be beneficial to have someone with JD‘s congressional candidacy experience. It could work if JD could recruit his former campaign manager, Irene Lin to return.
Bob, this is one of your very best sub stacks. Thank you for the well detailed essay. Big AG is similar to the Defense Industry that Eisenhower warned us about when he left office. This goes beyond politics and points more toward in attention to the responsibility of all citizens in a democracy to pay attention, gather facts, and then vote, locally and nationally.
Bob, I'm catching up on some of your previous DM: Politics and Culture. ALL good stuff...on point, and thought provoking. You mention in this essay that "One of the best things about Austin's book is he "humanizes" the corporations by highlighting the families behind them, making for a good read about the banality of evil."
My mother's hometown is Duluth, MN...one of my favorite cousins (I love 'em all, but she's golden) still lives there. As a child she lived on Park Point, a sand spit that separates Lake Superior from Duluth Harbor Basin. It's a beautiful stretch of land with several recreational areas, and a mix of houses that range from somewhat ramshackle to VERY impressive.
My Cuz alerted me to a recent story about Park Point that involves a member of the Cargill family. Thought you might find it interesting, but maybe not humanizing.
I read this when it came out! I was stunned that someone could be so callous and out of touch with basic humanity. If I didn't send it to Austin, I meant to. But, it is perfectly aligned with what they are doing to the entire planet. Thanks Jim!
Sounds like a "must read"--thank you. But nothing really new--think Teddy Roosevelt and the trust-busters versus Standard Oil, or the federal court order that broke Ma Bell into the five Baby Bells, etc. That market consolidation has come to agriculture is a mixed blessing but it is obviously inevitable and the key is constant vigilance to maintain a "free economy", which the market may in fact be doing: Tyson stock is off 40% from its high two years ago and it is rapidly divesting assets, some without a buyer (Perry, so far). And, if the dollar loss I recall from a previous Writers Collaborative Substack is correct (-$38/head) it would be interesting to know how Iowa Select Farms is faring with its >5mil head/year production. Keep them toes to the fire, Bob.
Thanks Bob. One of the best things about Austin's book is he "humanizes" the corporations by highlighting the families behind them, making for a good read about the banality of evil.
I grew up on a farm that had an orchard from which we sold fruit, a garden of vegetables which we canned, or stored for the winter. We had a small but diverse population of animals which we butchered for food. My dad was at the tail end of farmers who raised horses and mules as draft animals. Today most people have no idea where their food comes from nor do they realize the damage that is being done to the environment to raise both crops and livestock. I don't know what it takes to make more people aware that our very existence depends on paying attention to what it is happening where it is produced.
This one is another really informative and insightful exposition. One can not only be frustrated but also intensely angered that so few people care to realize what is happening. I think of the Perry plant closing with such massive loss of jobs. Almost certainly our Republican legislature has more concern with getting more guns into the Perry school than it has with the Perry workers and families whose lives are so disrupted. They gleefully reduced unemployment benefits earlier, of course, to please their corporate masters.
Thank you. Austin did a great job.
One reason for the Perry plant closure is the inability to operate a 'second shift'. Oscar Mayer had no problem having a second shift when they were in operation. The State even turned State Highway 141 into a four lane that ended at the plant's gate. Further, the Stae ran a shuttle service to bring in migrants that were unable to get tp Perry due to lack of Driver's licenses and transportation. One wag suggested the road widening was an effort to keep young Eric Branstad from passing in a no passing zone, but that's untrue. It's because the railroads, having reached the end of their contracted '100 years of Service' couldn't maintain profitability with so few customers. So, bring on the trucks...
I had no clue. Thanks for the information. Lots of interwoven things to unpack.
We are incredibly lucky to have someone like Austin delve deeply into this subject matter. In 1992 A.V. Krebs, a friend long passed, wrote a book “The Corporate Reapers: The Book of Agribusiness” that exposed many of the barons then. Austin has continued to expose the evil side of capitalism. My hope is that others will wake up to stop this madness. Every day we march closer to authoritarianism and I’m damned scared.
State Rep. JD Scholten continues to write on similar issues, through his online newsletter.
Thank you for mentioning Scholten's newsletter. I have subscribed also. I have recently returned to Iowa. I know Scholten has come up short on two bids for Congress. Has he considered running for governor?
I haven't asked him. He's doing his best in the Iowa legislature now.
Thanks Ralph. I've just signed up.
It would be healthy for challengers to Reynolds to start talking about running against her. It would be beneficial to have someone with JD‘s congressional candidacy experience. It could work if JD could recruit his former campaign manager, Irene Lin to return.
Bob, this is one of your very best sub stacks. Thank you for the well detailed essay. Big AG is similar to the Defense Industry that Eisenhower warned us about when he left office. This goes beyond politics and points more toward in attention to the responsibility of all citizens in a democracy to pay attention, gather facts, and then vote, locally and nationally.
Yes! Eisenhower was so spot on. The last good Republican president, for sure.
Bob, I'm catching up on some of your previous DM: Politics and Culture. ALL good stuff...on point, and thought provoking. You mention in this essay that "One of the best things about Austin's book is he "humanizes" the corporations by highlighting the families behind them, making for a good read about the banality of evil."
My mother's hometown is Duluth, MN...one of my favorite cousins (I love 'em all, but she's golden) still lives there. As a child she lived on Park Point, a sand spit that separates Lake Superior from Duluth Harbor Basin. It's a beautiful stretch of land with several recreational areas, and a mix of houses that range from somewhat ramshackle to VERY impressive.
My Cuz alerted me to a recent story about Park Point that involves a member of the Cargill family. Thought you might find it interesting, but maybe not humanizing.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13232279/Wife-billionaire-kathy-cargill-cheerios-properties.html
I read this when it came out! I was stunned that someone could be so callous and out of touch with basic humanity. If I didn't send it to Austin, I meant to. But, it is perfectly aligned with what they are doing to the entire planet. Thanks Jim!
Sounds like a "must read"--thank you. But nothing really new--think Teddy Roosevelt and the trust-busters versus Standard Oil, or the federal court order that broke Ma Bell into the five Baby Bells, etc. That market consolidation has come to agriculture is a mixed blessing but it is obviously inevitable and the key is constant vigilance to maintain a "free economy", which the market may in fact be doing: Tyson stock is off 40% from its high two years ago and it is rapidly divesting assets, some without a buyer (Perry, so far). And, if the dollar loss I recall from a previous Writers Collaborative Substack is correct (-$38/head) it would be interesting to know how Iowa Select Farms is faring with its >5mil head/year production. Keep them toes to the fire, Bob.
Thanks Bob. One of the best things about Austin's book is he "humanizes" the corporations by highlighting the families behind them, making for a good read about the banality of evil.
👍I call it capitalism run amok, and it isn’t just the food industry!
You've done it again: Said what must be said!