Market Farming

[Aaron Silverman <cgrowers AT pond.net>]

I did not see the "article" last night. However, after cruising through 
the list's venting and checking out abc's discussion site, several themes 
are apparent:

1) Use of either raw manure or bio-sludge on Organic crops was mentioned. 
As WE all know, not only is this either regulated by certifiers or 
outright disallowed, but use of bio-sludge was one of the points 
generating the huge outcry to the preliminary Standards published by the 
USDA last year. Rebuttals to the show will be more effective if focused 
on points such as this.

2) Dennis Avery: While I did not see the show, I am very familiar with 
this unsavory character. Unfortunately, he is not a crackpot, is VERY 
intelligent and has a wonderful command of his statistics. In fact, much 
of what he says makes sense - regardless of whether you support his 
conclusion. His latest book is "Saving the World through Pesticides & 
Plastics," a well written treatise on the savior of agricultural 
technology. While his research is blind to the workings of Organics and 
the faults of Conventional ag, some of what he writes has truth. How many 
of the commercial growers on the list utilize plastic mulches of one sort 
or another? In western Oregon, where summer temps regularly dip to the 
high 40s at night, many of our crops wouldn't be worth growing without 
IRT film, or assisted by tunnels or floating row covers. We irrigate with 
T-tape - 100% plastic product that ends up in the landfill eventually. 
Current organics is just as high-tech as conventionals, even while many 
of the smaller producers practice "exclusion" methods (just not doing 
anything). The Hudson Institute is a Conservative think tank based in 
Indiana, focused on agricultural issues. Yes, much of their funding comes 
from the big ag companies. Many of their statements and published 
treatises have unsubstantiated statements and conclusions. Their 
effectiveness is in their ability to publish, and have media connections 
that allow them to have their positions distributed to mass audiences.

3) This show illustrates the impetus for the current formulation of 
National Organic Standards. Remember that the legislation calling for the 
USDA to oversee these standards was brought about by FARMERS. They 
recognized that the acceptance of Organics by the larger marketplace 
would be stymied if certification never developed beyond the current 
quilt structure. Regardless of my personal feelings towards 
certification, Avery's effectiveness and the apparent bias of the show 
demonstrate the vulnerability the Organic industry faces without USDA 
sanctioned standards.

Aaron

Creative Growers
Aaron Silverman
88741 Torrence Rd.
Noti, Or. 97461
cgrowers AT pond.net
Quality Produce & Pastured Poultry