• Sharon Astyk and Aaron Newton’s book, “A Nation of Farmers,” advocates for a return to small-scale, sustainable agriculture as a solution to global food insecurity, climate change and economic instability. They argue that this shift could foster a more democratic, resilient and equitable society.
• The authors challenge the belief that radical societal change is impossible, citing historical examples of transformative movements, such as early Christian communal living and Gandhi’s nonviolent revolution, to inspire action and reject defeatism.
• The book highlights the 2008 global food crisis, driven by biofuels, rising meat consumption and speculative trading, as evidence of the fragility of industrial agriculture. It underscores the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and industrial systems to prevent future crises.
• Astyk and Newton point to Cuba’s agricultural transformation after the Soviet Union’s collapse as proof that nations can achieve food self-sufficiency through urban gardening and reduced dependence on industrial inputs, offering a blueprint for sustainable farming.
• The authors propose practical steps, such as home gardening, supporting local food systems and policy reforms like land redistribution and subsidies for organic farming. They frame their vision as both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for creating a sustainable, connected and equitable future.

In a world grappling with climate change, economic instability and food insecurity, authors Sharon Astyk and Aaron Newton present a bold vision for the future in their book, “A Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis on American Soil.”

Published in 2009, the book challenges the pervasive myth that radical societal change is impossible, arguing instead that a return to small-scale, sustainable agriculture could not only address the global food crisis but also foster a more democratic and resilient society. Drawing on historical precedents and contemporary examples, Astyk and Newton call for a new agrarian revolution, one that empowers individuals and communities to take control of their food systems.

The book opens with a powerful critique of what the authors term “the Big Lie” – the notion that humanity is incapable of making profound, necessary changes to its way of life.

“This lie narrows our perspective and makes our failures seem inevitable,” they write. But history, they argue, is replete with examples of ordinary people achieving extraordinary transformations, from the early Christians sharing communal resources to Gandhi’s nonviolent revolution in India.

“We are not cowards, and we are not weak,” the authors assert. “We are the inheritors of a revolutionary past, and we have the moral integrity to change our world.”

The urgency of this call to action is underscored by the global food crisis of 2008, which serves as a central case study in the book. That year, skyrocketing food prices, driven by biofuels, rising meat consumption and speculative trading, plunged millions into hunger. In Haiti, desperate families resorted to eating “cookies” made of dirt, vegetable shortening and salt. Women begged passersby to take their children, pleading, “Please, take one and feed them.” Food riots erupted across the globe, from Bangladesh to Mexico, as the crisis exposed the fragility of the industrialized food system.

Astyk and Newton argue that the crisis was not merely a shortage of food but a systemic failure rooted in the reliance on fossil fuels and industrial agriculture. As oil prices soared, so did the cost of fertilizers and transportation, pushing farmers to the brink. The authors contend that this vulnerability underscores the need for a fundamental shift toward small-scale, sustainable farming.

The book’s central thesis is that the United States must embrace an “agrarian dream,” transforming itself into a nation of 100 million farmers and 200 million cooks. This vision is not a nostalgic retreat to peasant labor but a forward-looking model of democracy and self-sufficiency.

To illustrate the feasibility of this vision, Astyk and Newton point to Cuba’s agricultural transformation following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Faced with a sudden loss of fossil fuels, Cubans turned urban spaces into gardens and farms, proving that a nation could feed itself with less reliance on industrial inputs.

The authors also emphasize the importance of rethinking our relationship with food. They advocate for a return to cooking from scratch, using fresh, locally grown ingredients. By embracing this mindset, individuals can begin to reclaim control over their diets and reduce their dependence on processed corporate-produced foods. Practical steps toward this agrarian future include planting home gardens, joining community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and supporting local farmers’ markets.

The authors also call for policy changes, such as land reform, subsidies for organic farming and protections for local food systems. “We need to challenge the dominance of industrial agriculture and the corporations that control our food supply,” they write.

In their concluding remarks, Astyk and Newton frame their call to action as both a moral imperative and a practical necessity. “We have the power to change the world, one garden, one meal, one community at a time,” they assert. Their vision is not merely about survival but about creating a society that is more connected, equitable and sustainable.

“A Nation of Farmers” is both a warning and a roadmap, urging readers to confront the challenges of the food crisis with courage and creativity. By rejecting the “Big Lie” and embracing the potential for radical change, Astyk and Newton argue, we can build a future that nourishes both people and the planet.

Learn more about the book “A Nation of Farmers” by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

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