The Unsettling of America

US Secretary of Agriculture from 1971 to 1976 under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Earl L. Butz was known for his strong advocacy of industrial agriculture, Butz was a driving force behind the “get big or get out” (45) policy that encouraged the consolidation and mechanization of American farms. His policies promoted monoculture, reliance on chemical inputs, and large-scale industrial farming, aiming to boost production and efficiency in response to global food demands. Butz’s emphasis on maximizing yields and reducing costs fundamentally altered the structure of American agriculture, leading to the decline of small farms and the rise of agribusiness (KSU. “Earl L. Butz,” Landon Lecture, 1972).

In The Unsettling of America, Berry references Butz as a representative of the industrial agricultural model that he vehemently opposes. Butz’s policies are emblematic of what Berry critiques throughout the book: agriculture driven by profit and production at the expense of environmental sustainability, community health, and cultural values. Berry argues that Butz’s approach, which prioritized expansion and industrialization, exacerbated the ecological crisis and weakened communities led by pushing small farmers off the land, thematically illustrating The Disintegration of Rural Communities.

In the context of Berry’s arguments, Butz’s influence in shaping industrial agricultural policy highlights the profound impact of government-imposed regulations on the trajectory of American farming. His vision of agriculture as a purely economic enterprise, with little regard for the social or environmental consequences, is a stark contrast to Berry’s advocacy of a more holistic, community-focused approach.

One of the Founding Fathers of the US and the third president, Thomas Jefferson was a passionate advocate of agrarianism and the cultivation of land as a cornerstone of American democracy. Jefferson believed that the health of a republic depended on its citizens being connected to the land, emphasizing that independent, self-sufficient farmers were the most virtuous and valuable members of society. His vision of an agrarian society was deeply rooted in ideas of liberty, economic independence, and moral responsibility, making farming not just a means of subsistence but a foundation of civic life.

Drawing on Jefferson’s ideals to support his critique of modern industrial agriculture, Berry portrays Jefferson as an early advocate of sustainable, small-scale farming. This type of farming starkly opposes the industrial model that prioritizes profit over ecological health and community welfare. Jefferson’s concept of the “yeoman farmer”—a landowner dedicated to his family, his community, and his country—is a guiding principle of Berry’s arguments about the ethical responsibilities of farmers and the need for a deeper relationship between people and the land.

Berry critiques the erosion of Jefferson’s vision over time, particularly the ways in which land-grant colleges and industrial agricultural policies strayed from Jefferson’s ideals of promoting liberty and sustainability through independent farming. Berry argues that, instead of empowering small farmers and rural communities, industrial agricultural institutions facilitated the rise of agribusiness, resulting in the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few while economically and culturally impoverishing rural areas. By referencing Jefferson, Berry underscores the need for a return to an agricultural ethic that values stewardship, community, and the land itself, rather than reducing it to a mere resource for exploitation.

US Congressman and Senator Justin Morrill was best known for his work in establishing the Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862 and 1890. These acts granted federal land to states to fund the creation of colleges focused on agriculture and the mechanical arts, providing practical education for the working class. Morrill was originally a merchant, and his motivation was the desire to improve opportunities for ordinary citizens and to elevate their educational standards. His vision was to ensure that higher education was accessible to a broader segment of society rather than being reserved for the elite (“Justin S. Morrill.” United States Senate).

In The Unsettling of America, Berry discusses the significance of Morrill’s contribution to American agriculture through the establishment of land-grant colleges. Berry highlights Morrill’s intent to provide practical education that would support sustainable agriculture and rural communities. The Morrill Acts represented a progressive step toward empowering farmers by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve agricultural practices and promote rural stability. Morrill’s vision aimed to elevate the working class by providing an education that integrated both liberal and practical disciplines.

Berry critiques how over time the land-grant colleges deviated from Morrill’s original goals, largely abandoning their focus on supporting small farmers and rural communities. Instead, these institutions shifted their attention toward industrial agriculture, careerism, and research that benefits large agribusinesses rather than local farmers. Berry argues that this betrayal of Morrill’s vision contributed to the decline of small-scale farming and rural culture, favoring specialization and technological solutions that often lead to ecological and social harm. By examining Morrill’s contributions, Berry underscores the importance of reclaiming the original mission of land-grant colleges to serve the needs of small farmers and foster a healthier agricultural system.