Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1942. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 27-28).

Issued also as Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University. / Bibliography: p. 91-100.

Issued also as Thesis (Ph. D.) Columbia University. / Bibliography: p. 91-100.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine through the lenses of an environmental historian the myths and the realities of soil exhaustion as this ecological process relates to the developing environmental ethics of tobacco farmers of Prince Edward County, Virginia, from 1850 to 1880. During the nineteenth century the tobacco farms of Southside Virginia experienced three phases in a century long process of ecological change that both influenced and were influenced by events that occurred in human history. The first phase coincides with the agricultural reform movements led by the planters of the late antebellum period. The second phase spans the Civil War years. The third phase begins with emancipation and Reconstruction and lasts until the end of the century when the cause of scientific agriculture was taken up by the agricultural reformers of the Progressive era. With each phase of ecological transition in conjunction with the transition from slave labor to wage labor, the relationship of white men and women and African American men and women to the rural landscape changed, thus creating a diverse, dynamic environmental ethic among the tobacco farmers of Prince Edward County, Virginia.

The discipline of Sociology has been quiet regarding the production of food by industrial agriculture. However, there are issues that potentially undermine the ability of industrial agriculture to continue to produce food at the same rate. These issues include: global climate change, aquifer depletion, soil erosion and exhaustion, the increase in global production of meat, the ever expanding global population and peak oil. This thesis considers how these issues will affect Manitoba’s agriculture, Manitoba’s ability to adapt to a period of change and its ability to continue to feed its population. Unstructured interviews with expert informants allowed for the collection of data that are not readily available. These data are combined with pre-existing data to assemble an agricultural profile. There are two competing theories within the current dialogue: limits-to-growth and ecological modernization. Ultimately, the food procurement practices will be assessed with reference to the limits-to-growth theory and recommendations will be made.

The discipline of Sociology has been quiet regarding the production of food by industrial agriculture. However, there are issues that potentially undermine the ability of industrial agriculture to continue to produce food at the same rate. These issues include: global climate change, aquifer depletion, soil erosion and exhaustion, the increase in global production of meat, the ever expanding global population and peak oil. This thesis considers how these issues will affect Manitoba’s agriculture, Manitoba’s ability to adapt to a period of change and its ability to continue to feed its population. Unstructured interviews with expert informants allowed for the collection of data that are not readily available. These data are combined with pre-existing data to assemble an agricultural profile. There are two competing theories within the current dialogue: limits-to-growth and ecological modernization. Ultimately, the food procurement practices will be assessed with reference to the limits-to-growth theory and recommendations will be made.