Regenerative Renegades Alan Lewis: How We Lost Our Agrarian Way of Life
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Jun 10, 2025 Alan Lewis, an expert in food, agriculture, and organic certification, discusses the decline of traditional agriculture and its impact on rural communities. He shares personal ties to the organic movement and critiques the consolidation of agriculture that harms small farmers. The conversation dives into the challenges faced by grass-fed ranchers, such as pricing issues driven by corporate collusion. Lewis emphasizes the need for local food systems and small packing plants to create a more sustainable and equitable agricultural landscape.
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Alan's Grandparents' Farming Loss
- Alan Lewis recounts his grandparents' experience losing their hog farm livelihood due to market consolidation.
- Their transformation from farmers to meatpacking plant workers highlights systemic rural economic collapse.
Union Breaking Impact on Towns
- Breaking unions and replacing well-paid families with lower-paid immigrant workers hollowed out towns.
- This economic shift decimated local businesses and social services, causing population decline.
Rural Decline Signal and Cause
- Youth not returning to their hometowns signals town death.
- Consolidated corporate farming exploits communities, stripping them of wealth and opportunity.