Farmscape

de Mary Swander

Farmscape is a community play which documents the contemporary Midwest farmscape. Mary Swander's Iowa State University English class students interviewed farmers around their state and compiled their stories in the farmers' own words. Savor the taste of organic vegetables on a truck on its way to the local farmer's market, suit up in protective clothing and a mask before you enter a hog confinement operation. Experience the David and Goliath story of an organic farmer up against the economic forces of the 3500 acre agri-business operation next door. In the end, you'll understand that during the pioneer days, farming completely changed the ecosystem of the prairie. A hundred and fifty years later, this landscape is dramatically changing again. This book contains the full readers' theater script as well as commentary on both Farmscape and the changing rural environment it documents.