Thinking Critically About Agricultural Issues

The agricultural sector of the United States provides an enormous number of issues that require critical thought and evaluation, such as low farm prices, soil depletion, free trade agreements, food safety, rural depopulation, water quality, and farm subsidies. Individuals addressing these issues bring with them different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Often, these differences result in divergent and conflicting opinions on agricultural issues. The objective of this paper is to describe how critical evaluation of agricultural issues in the classroom can lead to greater comprehension, refinement of opinions and ideas, and a passion for lifelong learning. Class discussions and weekly writing assignments on agricultural issues can be used effectively to increase awareness and knowledge of the many perspectives that exist on agricultural issues. Challenging students to write an essay from a perspective different than their own, reading and evaluating a book that provides an "urban" perspective on agriculture, or interacting with an expert on sustainable agriculture can provide an exhilarating experience for many students. Knowledge concerning opposing sides of an issue provides a solid foundation for the development, reevaluation, and refinement of their own values and beliefs. The process of critical thinking about agricultural issues challenges students to become actively involved in lifelong learning. The challenge of understanding why individuals and groups have such widely divergent opinions on the same issue can provide a stimulating intellectual environment that students carry into their career and life. Ideas from and past experiences with a senior-level discussion course on critical thinking about agricultural issues are summarized and evaluated in this paper.