How do we explain to people that dairy farmers would generally prefer not to dump their milk, but they’re left without much choice when no one will take it, process it, and distribute it?

Or that if they just gave it away as is, they’d likely be breaking a slew of laws?

How do we adequately explain that we can’t just hit the brakes on production? That milk and beef and pork and eggs are produced with limited resources? That cattle and hogs and poultry still need feed and water when we can’t sell anything?

How do we explain to people that agriculture is dragged along by the same forces that drive everything else? Or that if they really want to change the way food is produced and distributed, they’d better be prepared to change the ways the rest of society is organized too?

Because I’m getting tired of people endlessly sharing articles and think pieces about what’s wrong with the food system and agriculture and farmers. I really am.

Want to know one of my great fears about this COVID-19 thing?

Aside from obvious worry for who will be harmed by this virus, I’m worried that we’ll keep having the same conversations we’ve been having all along.

I’m tired of just walking in place. Aren’t you?