Jack, good post! Those who indict corporate agriculture tend to be from the left politically, but their indictment of corporate agriculture is at the same time an indictment of their beloved government. In effect, they are saying that the millions of regulations and army of regulators overseeing food production in the US have failed miserably. But as Jack writes, they haven't failed at all. US food is good and safe and cheap as it should be.

I'd like to vent a bit. I would encourage the author to spend a little time with her local 'conventional' farmers. I also work with 'big ag' producers, who must comply with regulations to insure safe practices, and who want to produce a safe product for their own reputation and future business. The American farmer produces the safest food supply in the world, and the prevailing attitude that 'natural food' is safer is a myth. The control of plant disease, insects, and other pests have contributed to a dependable, safe food supply for a public that is largely ignorant of the processes, and is poorly served by the general media. For example, an organic method of production utilizes chicken manure that is a great host for e-coli. Also, most of the modern plant genetics that have been vilified by the media are not much removed from historical plant breeding and varietal developments that have gone on for centuries.

I am so grateful for such a thoughtful article on an important topic. The comments posted show that it is important that this dialogue be nurtured in our Christian lives. Food should not be its own religion, as Fields points out, but rather part of a life lived thoughtfully for God. Our country, and arguably Western society, has fallen so out of touch with processes that we have allowed gluttony to become a ruling force in our lives with food among other idols. Instead of filling ourselves with God, we stuff ourselves with food. I am glad that Fields challenges us to consider how it is we treat the temples of God, which are our bodies, and how it is that we steward Creation. Our challenges as a wealthy nation are no less difficult than the developing world; we have to fight against the materialism in which we live in every moment. As Christians, we are charged to live our lives mindfully. Thank you to Fields for helping us do that in an area we take for granted.

Let me restate due to my error, "Instead, we should thank the Lord that we live in a country WITH such an abundant food supply we can even entertain this ridiculous conversation." And to add one more point. The 'big ag' farmers I know (many of whom are strong Christians) are sick and tired of having to defend themselves from these attacks, particularly when the content of their character might be in question because of someone's perceived idea (aka ignorance) about what they do.

I think we can all agree that our salvation is not dependent on what we eat but rather what is in our hearts. What is unfortunate is that Leslie, as well as many other Christian women, have bought into the liberal propaganda that is the writing of authors such as Pollan. I have been on many 'big ag' livestock and grain farms. Yes, they may sell their animals to a large company, but the folks running the farms are real people with real families. The vast majority of these farmers go above and beyond their already highly regulated industries to protect the air and water and take the best care possible of their animals. I appreciate that Leslie can hunt and grow her own food in Alaska. That isn't so easy for someone living in a city. It's a nice thought that we can all join the 'slow food' movement, but it simply isn't realistic. Instead, we should thank the Lord that we live in a country which such an abundant food supply we can even entertain this ridiculous conversation.