Rural Sociologists at Work: Candid Accounts of Theory, Method, and Practice PDF
Preview Rural Sociologists at Work: Candid Accounts of Theory, Method, and Practice
RURAL SOCIOLOGISTS AT WORK This collection of original chapters, written by prominent social scientists, elucidates the theory and practice of contemporary rural sociology. The book applies lessons from the careers of sociologists and their field research endeavors, covering a wide range of topics: agri - cultural production, processing, and marketing; international food security and rural development; degradation of the biophysical environ - ment across borders; and the study of community, family, health, and many other issues in an increasingly globalized world. The authors’ candid accounts provide insight into possibilities for enhancing opportunity and equality and serving basic human needs. Johannes I. (“Hans”) Bakker is the Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professor at Brandon University, Manitoba, Canada Emeritus lifetime member of the Rural Sociological Society, and Chair of the Senior Rural Sociologists Research Interest Group. This page intentionally left blank RURAL SOCIOLOGISTS AT WORK CANDID ACCOUNTS OF THEORY, METHOD, AND PRACTICE Edited by Johannes I. (“Hans”) Bakker First published 2016 by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 and by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2016 Taylor & Francis The right of the editor to be identified as the author of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Rural sociologists at work: candid accounts of theory, method, and practice/Johannes I. (“Hans”) Bakker, editor. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. 1.Sociology, Rural—Study and teaching. 2.Sociology, Rural—Methodology. 3.Sociologists.I. Bakker, J. I. HT411.R866 2016 307.72071—dc23 2015013084 ISBN: 978-1-61205-867-2 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-61205-868-9 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-315-67576-3 (ebk) Typeset in A Caslon and Copperplate by Florence Production Ltd, Stoodleigh, Devon, UK This book is dedicated to the memories of two rural sociologists, William (Bill) Freudenberg (1951–2010) and Ralph B. Brown (1960–2014), both of whom have made important contributions to the discipline and inspired many others not only in rural sociology but in many other ways. Of particular relevance to the chapters in this book are the following quotations: “The most that any of us can hope for is to make a difference with others and possibly leave the world a bit better than we found it” (William Freudenberg). “What is important is the search for truth—not the defense of it. . . . What draws people to academia and research is a love of learning. . . . Our job is to search for truth not defend it” (Ralph B. Brown). This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents Acknowledgments ix Candid Accounts by Rural Sociologists: Editor’s Introduction xi JOHANNES I. (“HANS”) BAKKER Part I: Background Accounts 1 Chapter 1 General Introduction 3 LAWRENCE BUSCH Chapter 2 Rural Sociology: A Slightly Personal History 9 STEPHEN TURNER Chapter 3 “I Could Tell Stories ’Til the Cows Come Home”: Personal Biography Meets Collective Biography 35 JULIE N. ZIMMERMAN vii viii CONTENTS PART II: Candid Accounts 63 Chapter 4 An Accidental Rural Sociologist 65 MICHAEL D. SCHULMAN Chapter 5 From Estate Agriculture to the Industrial Diet: The Trajectory of a Canadian Rural Sociologist 81 ANTHONY WINSON Chapter 6 The Intersection of Biography and Work as a Rural Sociologist 105 LINDA LOBAO Chapter 7 Rural Sociologists at Work: Dual Careers, Single Focus 117 CORNELIA BUTLER FLORA AND JAN L. FLORA Part III: Theory and Method 141 Chapter 8 Rural Sociology: An Intellectual Crescent Wrench 143 RALPH B. BROWN Chapter 9 Avoiding Burnout: All Who Wander Are Not Lost 155 CONNER BAILEY Chapter 10 The Accidental Rural Sociologist 171 BILL REIMER List of Contributors 193 Index 197 A CKNOWLEDGMENTS The Editor would like to acknowledge the Rural Sociological Society (RSS), especially William (Bill) Lacy. This book has benefited from the support of the Senior Rural Sociologists’ Research Interest Group (RIG) of the RSS and from the RSS executive. The Rural Development Institute (RDI) at Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada also has provided direct financial and artistic assistance with many drafts of the book cover. This includes its Director, William (Bill) Ashton and freelance designer Alida Grelowski. Special thanks are also extended to the President, and Faculty Senate of Brandon University whose support of the Editor as the Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professor provided the academic context in which to complete this work. Professor Scott Grills has been a valuable colleague at Brandon. In turn, personal help and capable academic leadership of Professor Wayne Thompson, when he was Chair of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph, played a significant role in the Editor’s entry into the field of rural sociology. Professor J. Heidi Gralinski-Bakker provided significant assistance during the final stage of the editing process. ix
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