Sanitation Argument Quote by Wendell Berry
““the greatest destroyer of the small economies of small farms has been the doctrine of sanitation. I have no argument against cleanliness and healthfulness; I am for them as much as anyone. I do, however, question the validity and honesty of the sanitation laws that have come to rule over farm production in the last thirty or forty years. Why have new sanitation laws always required more, and more expensive, equipment? Why have they always worked against the survival of the small producer? Is it impossible to be inexpensively healthful and clean?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unsettling of America, 1970
Berry argues that modern sanitation regulations, while well‑intentioned, impose costly burdens that threaten small farms' viability.
In simple terms: Sanitation rules can hurt small farms.
Key Takeaway
Advocate smarter, proportional standards.
Themes
agriculture
regulation
small business
health
environment
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- farm management
- policy advocacy
- community planning
- cost‑benefit analysis
Key Concepts
public policy
economic sustainability
rural livelihoods
Questions to Reflect On
- How can sanitation be both effective and affordable?
- What alternatives exist for small farms?
A Different Perspective
Costs may outweigh health benefits for small producers.
