Agrarian Economy and Villages on the Way to Separation. Experiences of Farmers with the Changing Social Acceptance of Intensive Agricultural Production

Interviews conducted in 1992 with 70 full-time farmers in the Federal Republic of Germany reveal that 80+% were aware of the increasing criticism of intensive farming on ecological & ethical grounds. Farmers were conscious of their declining political clout & cited specific criticisms, eg, the release of ammonia into the air & nitrogen seepage. Some believed they were "offensive" to others. Many farmers felt disliked even within rural communities, & saw a clear connection between that dislike & intensive production methods. While only 25% believed criticisms were justified, fewer that 17% could actually reject them. The majority of respondents were unable to give a clear answer to the accuracy of outside opinions of farming. The possibility of a new integration model to allay the fears of farmers about their marginalized position & the fears of nonfarmers about the negative effects of contemporary agriculture is contemplated. 21 References. E. Blackwell