Table Of ContentRURAL
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.
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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).
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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.
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