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livingontheland - Re: [Livingontheland] Spoiled: Organic and Local Is So 2008

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  • From: Dan Conine <dconine@bertramwireless.com>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] Spoiled: Organic and Local Is So 2008
  • Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:00:25 -0600

Thanks, Paul. You saved me a lot of time on a busy day.

A couple of points before I forget: "Carbon Footprint" is a narrowly defined term, which typically only concerns the use of fossil fuels. Many of the farmers I have talked to are working toward electric or biodiesel vehicles that will run from products of the local farm. The economics of localization have little to do with carbon, and a lot to do with behaviors of communities and people. Seek local sources of food and energy, and you eliminate half of the problems of small towns and dependence on external entities for jobs.

Second: Farmer Fleming is suffering from the same disease that cripples communities. That disease is called "The Myth of Progress", which says that everyone must constantly strive to produce more and more from fewer people. Roundup is a symptom, not the problem. His conversion to no-till farming is based on an agribusiness model, rather than his own farm's needs. One can go no-till and have animals eat the weeds, or convert to trees or bushes that grow fruit and don't need tillage.

Dan Conine
Belgium, WI





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