"I have had the good fortune to see how my articles have directly benefited some farmers and helped build markets for their products in a way that preserves land from development. That makes me a hopeless optimist"

This quote by Michael Pollan speaks to the power of his work as a reporter and the positive effect it has actually had on the lives of farmers. He is revealing his gratitude for the chance to see how his articles have actually helped farmers by creating markets for their products and protecting land from development. This has offered him a sense of optimism, as he has seen firsthand the favorable impacts of his work. He is confident that his work will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of farmers and the environment. His optimism is a testament to the power of journalism and the possible it needs to make a difference worldwide.