Apparently the prochemical lobby sees their work as conventional. In a letter to Michelle Obama about her organic garden, industry folks, operating under the acronym MACA (Mid America CropLife Association), complained that this ignores the role of ‘conventional agriculture’ in our daily lives.  They implied that a small garden is unrealistic, etc, etc.  In short:

“As you go about planning and planting the White House garden, we respectfully encourage you to recognize the role conventional agriculture plays in the U.S. in feeding the ever-increasing population, contributing to the U.S. economy and providing a safe and economical food supply.”

There is nothing conventional about it. It is industrial agribusiness that is at stake in the buy local, grow your own effort that the White House is modeling.