| The purpose of this study is to analyze the conflicting realities surrounding the pesticide industry's history of dominance in American agriculture. This was accomplished through studying historical accounts, corporate reports, advertisements, books, speeches, videos, government publications, and agricultural magazines.; A review of related research indicates how perceptions of reality are created by individuals and institutions. The research demonstrates how the reality that surrounds the pesticide controversy is manipulated by the agricultural chemical industry, social commentators, and other parties.; Chapter two describes how influential organizations and individuals constructed goals and purposes for the early American farmer. This chapter also traces the evolution of the American farm from a small self sufficient family business into the present ideal of a large and efficient collective enterprise. An abridged history of pesticide regulation concluded the chapter.; Chapter three examines the realities promoted by the chemical pesticide industry through the media. It also elucidates the obstacles that pesticide producers must overcome in their efforts to present a coherent and taken-for-granted reality on the American farm.; Chapter four details arguments that the chemical pesticide industry uses in defense of itself. Chapter five continues by detailing the criticisms of the pesticide industry from the perspective of social commentators, environmental groups, and alternative food organizations.; Chapter six provides a case study of the United Farm Workers of America and addresses how workers have been trying to make their voice heard in the war against pesticides. Chapter seven presents several alternative methods of farming that are being explored and promoted by sustainable agriculture groups.; In chapter eight the future of American farming and the possibility of contributions of biotechnology are considered. This chapter takes a critical look at biotechnology and the alliance between the pesticide industry and companies involved in genetic engineering research. |
