As with other areas of human industry, it has been assumed that
technological progress would improve all aspects of agriculture.
Technology would increase both efficiency and yield, or so we thought.
The directions taken by technology may have worked for a while, but the
same technologies that give us an advantage also create disadvantages.
It's now a common story in rural America: pesticides, fertilizers, "big
iron" combines, and other costly advancements may increase speed but
also reduce effi