Empty Fields, Empty Promises

“[Empty Fields, Empty Promises] offers a compelling case to revisit or even abolish RTF laws in favor of policies empirically shown to support the reversal of consolidation in farming and strengthen rural community power over local environments and health. The introduction and conclusion chapters are particularly appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in Rural Sociology, Sociology of Food and Agriculture, and Rural Studies. In comparison, the remaining chapters focused on state-specific RTF details are useful for practitioners engaging with issues related to land and farming.”—Contemporary Sociology

“A valuable contribution to the field of agricultural law and policy . . . [that] challenges us to rethink our approach to agriculture, rural development, and environmental justice. Through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and a commitment to community-centered solutions, the authors offer a compelling blueprint for reforming RTF laws and building a more equitable and sustainable food system.”—H-Environment

“Empty Fields, Empty Promises challenges the popular notion that right-to-farm' laws benefit family-sized farming operations and protect their livelihoods. This innovative and thoughtful book makes an important contribution to the ongoing debate surrounding the efficacy of these laws and the impact they have on rural communities and family-sized farming operations.”—Susan Schneider, University of Arkansas

“While there is a dearth of material on agricultural law in general, no book tackles the complexities of right-to-farm laws in as much detail as this book. The authors provide a thorough analysis of the laws themselves and the intent behind them, as well as how these laws contribute to a variety of larger political projects. An essential contribution.”—Rick Welsh, Syracuse University