In modern agricultural politics, organic farming and genetic engineeringoccupy opposite ends of the spectrum. In the Ronald-Adamchak household, theworld is not so black and white. Ronald is a professor of plant pathology atthe University of California, Davis. Adamchak manages the student-run organicfarm on campus. Together, they're exploring the juncture where their methodscan (and they argue, should) meet to ensure environmentally sustainable foodproduction. Revealing common principles and "leveling the playing field," this book roughlychronicles one year in the lives of the Ronald-Adamchack family. Throughdialogue with friends and family, the authors thoughtfully explore the use of GEagriculture and the concerns expressed by consumers. They discuss the contentsof their own largely organic pantry, what they choose to feed their children,and how over the last ten years of their marriage, they have developed aspecific criteria for the use of GE in agriculture. From their personal vantagepoints, Ronald and Adamchack explain what geneticists and organic farmersactually do, and help readers distinguish between fact and fiction in the debateabout crop genetic engineering. Loosely organized by season, each section of the book addresses a differentissue related to the role of GE and organic farming in food production. Raoulprovides a farmer's view of the philosophy and practice of organic farming andhow it differs from conventional agriculture; Pam describes the tools andprocesses of genetic engineering, the potential ecological benefit of using GEtechnology to generate plants, and the associated risks. At the end of thebook, they describe one of their typical family dinners, explain their choice tobring both genetically engineered and organic food to their table, and sharesome of their family's best recipes.