Social ecology and agriculture [Production at farm level and its consideration of environmental variables]

The study of agriculture by Ru sociologists has generally given scant attention to environmental aspects, according to Riley E. Dunlap & Kenneth E. Martin (see SA 32:1/84N6234). Riley's & Dunlap's attribution of a bias against environmentalism is right, but inattention to the environment is importantly related to other areas of neglect: ie, (1) the process of agricultural commodity production, (2) environment as a resource for production, & (3) the ways production is affected by competition for resources. A model of agricultural production is presented that relates farming & the environment, shows how farmers cope with change, & provides for both individual- & aggregate-level analysis of agricultural issues. 94 References. D. Dunseath.