Farming for sociologists: A new key text for rural sociologists

Abstract

First paragraphs: What is farming for? What are the objectives? How should it relate to nature and wider society?” (p. 121) asks Jan Douwe van der Ploeg in his new book, The Sociology of Farming: Concepts and Methods. As an accomplished interdisciplinary scholar making significant contributions to the fields of rural sociology, agroecology, and peasant studies, van der Ploeg offers emerging and sea­soned scholars alike an overview of the wide array of challenges and opportunities in contemporary agrifood systems research. Examples of applied, interdisciplinary, and creative methodological approaches make for an accessible, structured reading experience that thoughtfully guides the reader through rich and substantial content. Chapter by chapter, readers are routinely asked to orient themselves to questions of power, particularly when presented with what is “right” in agriculture. Through discussions of rural development, market dominance, and peasant struggles, the text provides a critical foundation for future study directions.…