Industrial Agriculture’s Influence on Recreation: The Need for a Relational Approach

Recent reviews of leisure and recreation literature have asserted a need to con-sider the relationship between ecosystem function and recreation at multiple spatial scales. One way socio-ecological interactions across a regional landscape impact recreation are through the industrialization of agricultural practices. Little research has examined how the industrialization of agriculture, mainly through confined animal feeding and the intensification of monocultural row crop farming, has impacted recreational opportunities in locations such as the Upper Midwest of the United States. While beach closures and fish kills attributed to non-point source pollution are glaring examples, it is likely that the relationship between industrialized agriculture and recreational opportunities is not fully understood. It is increasingly evident that a fundamental transformation of socio-ecological systems will be necessary to adapt to our changing climate and community needs. Recreation and leisure studies could play a critical role in shaping the conversation and assessing the impacts of these socio-ecological transitions.