Large-Scale Agriculture and the Quality of the Social Fabric in Small, Rural Towns in Iowa
Large-scale farming takes advantage of economies of scale to produce safe, wholesome food at relatively low cost to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. At the same time, large-scale farming can present challenges to the long-term viability of social, agronomic, and environmental systems. Given these well-documented challenges, actively involved citizens discuss best approaches to ensuring future food security while protecting environmental, agronomic, and social systems. Such widespread participation and active debate is as it should be in a democratic society. Of interest to sociologists is the extent to which: 1) various agricultural systems affect social systems, and 2) communities maintain a sense of sound neighboring within the context of sometimes heated debates about best practices for the U.S. food system.
Dr. Stephen Sapp, Department of Sociology at Iowa State University, has conducted research on large-scale farming on small, rural towns in Iowa and the quality of neighboring in these towns. Professor Sapp came to Iowa State University in 1984. His research focuses upon the quality of the social fabric in rural communities and consumer trust in the U.S. food system. His teaching covers issues of social change, social problems, and methods and statistics in sociology.
Recent Publications Regarding the Effects of Large-Scale Farming on Small, Rural Towns
Sapp, Stephen G. 2010. Press Release Regarding Large Scale Farming and Small, Rural Towns.
Sapp, Stephen G. 2010. Presentation to the Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers.
Sundblad, Daniel R. 2008. Community well-being, individual responsibility, and agricultural change: an analysis of Iowa communities.
Sapp, Stephen G., Kathlene A. Larson, Daniel R. Sundblad, Cody S. Edwards, and Kerry A. Agnitch. 2006. Pork Production and the Quality of Neighboring in Rural Iowa: A Report to the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
