Classics in human geography revisited: Julie Guthman's Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California.

Julie Guthman's book, "Agrarian Dreams: The Paradox of Organic Farming in California," challenges the idealized perception of organic farming and exposes its flaws. The book argues that the commercialization and pursuit of higher prices in the organic industry have compromised its original values. Guthman also critiques the notion that small farms can address the environmental and social issues associated with conventional agriculture, emphasizing the importance of land and labor conditions. This influential book has had a significant impact on critical agri-environmental scholarship and broader critiques of neoliberal governance. The text also discusses Guthman's other works, "Weighing In" and "Wilted," which respectively criticize dietary fads and the industrial food system, and examine the strawberry production system's reliance on harmful chemicals and genetic manipulation. While the text acknowledges Guthman's contributions to geography and her dedication to research, it questions her use of assemblage theory in her analysis. [Extracted from the article]