Recounting stories from the early twentieth century and across generations to the present, the recent book In the Struggle: Scholars and the Fight Against Industrial Agribusiness in California (2021, NYU Press) by Daniel O’Connell and Scott Peters brings together the experiences of eight politically engaged scholars, documenting their opposition to industrial-scale agribusiness in California. As the narrative unfolds, these eight scholars’ previously censored and suppressed research, together with personal accounts of intimidation and subterfuge, is introduced into the public arena for the first time. This event, a part of the Fall 2021 “Food and the Public” series, will begin with these narratives as grounding for a discussion and public discourse on timely agricultural justice and policy issues in New York City and State.

In the Struggle lays out historic, subterranean confrontations over water rights, labor organizing, and the corruption of democratic principles and public institutions. As California’s rural economy increasingly consolidates into the hands of land barons and corporations, the scholars’ work shifts from analyzing problems and formulating research methods to organizing resistance and building community power. Throughout their engagement, they face intense political blowback as powerful economic interests work to pollute and undermine scientific inquiry and the civic purposes of public universities. After almost a century of empirical evidence and published research, a definitive finding becomes clear: land consolidation and economic monopoly are fundamentally detrimental to democracy and the well-being of rural societies.

Following an overview by the authors of the book’s central elements and findings, panelists from academia, community-based organizations, and government will share their perspectives, aspirations and experiences on activist scholarship and political engagement, particularly as it relates to food systems, agriculture, economic, and social justice in New York City and State. The panel will be followed by audience Q&A.  The event will be moderated by Dr. Kristin Reynolds, Chair of Food Studies at The New School.

Speakers

Dr. Daniel O’Connell, Central Valley Partnership

Dr. Scott Peters, Department of Global Development, Cornell University

Christa Nunez, The Learning Farm, Khuba International and CAN Cooperative Media

Onika Abraham, Farm School NYC; and Black Farmers United of New York State

New York State Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on Agriculture

New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Agriculture

This event is part of the Fall 2021 Food Studies event series “Food and the Public” at The New School.