Below is the publicly released statement from the group dubbing itself In Defense of Farmers (more here), which is calling for a show of solidarity with conventional farmers at Michael Pollan's talk tomorrow night at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI.Their reasons for this are outlined below, and the group will also be handing out free t-shirts at the event.

(Thanks to the UW-Madison student newspaper, The Badger Herald, for forwarding a copy to Fair Food Fight.)

In Defense of Farming

Eat food. Be healthy. Thank farmers.

A Call to Action

Come! Show your support. Wear a free t-shirt. Talk to people about how you support Wisconsin Agriculture at a speech by Michael Pollan, Author of In Defense of Food, the book chosen for the UW's "Go Big Read."

On Sept 24th at 7 pm at the Kohl Center in Madison.This is an open invitation from farmers to farmers, students, agriculture professionals,and people who are thankful for our safe abundant food supply.

Show Our Solidarity

We do not represent any organizations, we are family farmers, we hope others in the crowd will see our passion and take the chance to talk to real farmers, students who are studying agriculture and professionals who support agriculture. The choice of this book for the "Go Big Read" together with the recent movie Food Inc., and the Time magazine cover story, and now a New York Times article attacking Wisconsin Dairy Farms all call into question the decisions we make on our farms about raising crops, and animals. It's important that we show up at this public event to share our stories. The University of Wisconsin is a world renowned center for teaching and research in agriculture, an institution we support and believe in. However, the choice of this book, the unintended endorsement of Pollan and these views simply cannot go unanswered. There will be no other speakers to balance the discussion on Thursday night. The event is free, and tickets are not needed. We hope to be
there and offer ourselves as reasonable and respectful people who are willing to talk about our farms and answer any questions people may have about how their food is produced. We see this as a chance to gather, and share. Therefore we are asking you to participate in a show of solidarity for agriculture at the Kohl Center on Sept 24th at 7 pm.

The Choice

As farmers we embrace the chance to talk about food and how it is produced, however, we believe Chancellor Martin`s decision to use the book In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan for the UW's new program "Go Big Read," was unfortunate. The intent of the "Go Big Read" is to have discussion about one book, and more than 7000 copies have been purchased by the UW. The book, required reading for some, will be class discussion in many disciplines, english, anthropology, journalism and agriculture to name a few. The Chancellor has also invited the entire State to be involved, that this book will create an "intelligent sifting and winnowing of ideas" for the larger community. We are grateful Chancellor Martin has contacted us about our concerns and expressed her appreciation for our views on the topic.

The Issue

Much of the book and the discussion around the book focuses on eating more vegetables and less processed foods, basically more carrots fewer twinkies. Pollan advocates for having a family meal, not eating in your car and being careful not to eat too much. So while there is much that we can agree on, part of Pollan's reasoning is also a misrepresentation of agriculture. While it does not take center-stage the way it did in the Omnivore's Dilemma, another book by Pollan, it is still there. In the words of the late Norman Borlaug, "Even here at home, some elements of popular culture romanticize older, inefficient production methods and shun fertilizers and pesticides, arguing that the U.S. should revert to producing only local organic food. People should be able to purchase organic food if they have the will and financial means to do so, but not at the expense of the world's hungry-25,000 of whom die each day from malnutrition."

Thoughts from Dr. Jim Mlsna, Dairy Farmer for 31 years and Veterinarian for 35 years from Hillsboro, WI

"Pollan's, attack on agriculture starts on page ten where he says "the plain fact that the chronic diseases that now kill most of us (Americans) can be traced directly to the industrialization of our food: the rise of highly processed foods and refined grains: the use of chemicals to raise plants and animals in huge monocultures." Except we're living longer and longer - coinciding with the advent of "industrial" food There is no data or reference to any scientific work proving this claim and many others throughout the book. The book is based on the opinion that farmers should farm the way our parents did in the 50`s. Pollan claims we are dependent on chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, carcinogens, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial waste. Obviously this is not true. He is very skillful with words and some of our fellow farmers may think this book isn't so bad but if we let the thoughts prevail, and seep into the mainstream without telling our stories he has the
chance to sway many readers against all the things that we as farmers have spent a lifetime doing right. I farm together with four of my children, all in their 20's, I worry about Pollan's writing because he leaves out the story of family farms like ours where we use science and technology to do a better job of caring for our animals and land each day. Pollan`s ideas cause non-farmers to believe regulations are the only way to have healthy food."

Thoughts from Sue Crane, Dairy Farmer for 24 years, Registered Nurse for 15 years from Burlington, WI

"For 20 years I have been involved in Dairy Promotion, most people do not know what modern Agriculture is. Most have never been on a farm and their opinions come from TV or what they read. It is so important that farmers and others involved in Agriculture provide an accurate picture of how we carefully care for animals, and that we are good stewards of the land. Our good care is why our crops are large and yields are high. My son who is a large crop farmer worries and tends his corn crops in the same way that a gardener tends their garden. They both preserve the soil so that it will continue to be fertile and productive. The high quality milk produced on our dairy farm is a testament to our commitment to the care and nurturing of our cattle. I am so proud that my family is part of Wisconsin's greatest industry - Agriculture. My dedication to both Agriculture and U of W Madison runs deep, six of my children attended and graduated from CALS and continue to be involved in farmi
ng, and my father was proud of his 1935 Short Course diploma. Please come and share your stories about Agriculture. We do such a good job of feeding the world, now we must also do a good job of telling people how we feed them."

For More Info
An e-mail address has been created to help answer questions: indefenseoffarmers@gmail.com

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While In Defense of Farmers claims no affiliations with other organizations, Jim Mlsna is apparently the vice president of the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association. This position, of course, doesn't nullify or preclude his testimony as a small dairy farmer.

What do y'all think of the group's take down of Pollan?