Families socialize their youngest members to understand how the world works. Think about who taught you right from wrong, how to act when at the grocery store, or what to say when you meet someone new ...

Russ Parsons is the food editor at the Los Angeles Times. He recently wrote about the national conversation about food and farming.

My farm is near one of Sweden’s largest producers of neurotoxin. It’s also one of the world’s most familiar brands: Absolut Vodka. I have nothing against alcohol. In fact, I’m quite fond of it.