For Love of the Land, by Wendell Berry, really struck a cord with me. It was very different from most of the other readings we have read as a class. The other readings we have read are almost romantic in the way the authors discuss nature. Contrastingly, Berry’s essay was very pragmatic. He discussed the issues concerning him and the solutions to those matters. He approached environmental issues from environmental, economic and social views. His use of these various arguments strengthened his claims regarding land use and environmental protection.

            Furthermore, I appreciated his ideas regarding nature and how to protect it. As a farmer, his point of view was very different from most environmentalists. Rather than focusing specifically on the dangers facing the wilderness he wove environmental problems regarding domesticated land into his essay. I agreed wholeheartedly with Berry’s ideas. Berry suggested that land users such as farmers greatly impact the environment. Farming affects soil, water and wildlife conservation. Converting land to farmland reduces the amount of land allowed to remain wild. Thus, Berry advises conservationists and farmers to join forces in order to protect their own interests. Sustainable farming will allow for better production of food and allow the land to remain profitable. It would also help protect the environment. If farms were smaller and people bought food locally, it would help reduce the negative impacts of transporting food long distances and the environmental degradation produced by large factory farms.

            I really enjoyed reading Berry’s essay because of the realism of his arguments and the overarching message of the paper. In For Love of the Land, he preaches unity. He firmly believes no change can be made until various interest groups are able to unify for a common cause. I agree in many ways with this position. Until everyone (or at least the vast majority) sees nature as a priority, major steps will not be made in the environmental movement.