The Unsettling of America

In the first Preface, Berry reflects on the nature of his work, which he originally intended as a criticism of “orthodox agriculture.” He acknowledges that his book is more of a “review” since agriculture is ongoing and cannot be fully “finished” for complete critique.

Berry discusses the challenges of writing about such a topical issue, noting that while the policies of former Secretary of Agriculture Earl L. Butz are outdated, the deeper values and powers that shaped those policies remain relevant. He argues that his book is not out-of-date because it addresses cultural issues with deep roots in American history—issues that will persist into the future.

Berry’s inspiration for the book was a 1967 news story about a report from President Johnson’s special commission on federal food and fiber policies. The report revealed that technological advances in agriculture had displaced many farmers, creating a labor surplus. The proposed solutions focused on retraining farmers and offering government programs rather than preserving the value of small farmers’ lives and communities. Berry realized that his values, rooted in the defense of small farming and its way of life, were under threat and out of fashion, spurring him to start the book.