Today was the embodiment of any and all definitions of “information overload.”  We began the day by traveling to Des Moines to meet with representatives from the Iowa Pork Producers Association.  They basically told us anything and everything one would want to know about raising and selling pigs in Iowa and the state and federal regulations governing the pork industry.  This was our first interaction with a large scale industry, and I definitely got that business vibe from them.  They weren’t as anti-activist as they were more dismissive of their claims.  Indeed, one of the facets of their mission was to help farmers counter activist claims and improve the public image of the pork industry.  The main issue is that normal, unsuspecting farmers without direct interaction with nationally-based activist groups will find themselves unprepared should an activist group or invested members of the public confront the farmer.  Additionally, the problem is worsened if these interactions disrupt the normal functioning of the farm.

That seemed to be a them for the day because we had a conversation about a similar subject over dinner.  According to Dr. HN, we will be having many conversations with both representatives of “big-ag” and farmers who share similar views.  Many believe (and I somewhat share some of this viewpoint) that organic and/or local farming for mass consumption idealized by advocates is not practical or efficient with today’s technology and practices.  It is a very niche market, and mostly for those with the capital to afford to produce or purchase those end products.

Next, we went to the Cargill soybean processing and biodiesel plant.  I won’t even begin to try to explain it, other than by this way: soybeans–>magic–>biodiesel.  If I had had some preparation before it, including diagrams and other visuals, I probably would have been able to understand more and be more involved in the process.  But that didn’t happen, so I was stuck staring at all this machinery, pipes, and nooks and crannies and thinking how awesome it would be to have a paintball battle in this plant.  (My engineer parents would be very disappointed).

Then, we finally made it home.  Two other students and I went to the Friest farm.  If they only had chickens and goats, they would essentially be the Old McDonald Farm.  They had horses, cows, pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats, and children (not for eating).  Mr. Friest only gave us a very brief rundown of his farm and opinions about things (literally, “about things.” He was all over the place), but we will luckily be going back soon for a more in-depth showing.