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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: Miranda Smith <Miranda.Smith AT creativehomeowner.com>
- To: 'market farming' <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
- Subject: RE: Organic
- Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 12:16:38 -0500
I couldn't agree more about keeping it positive and fun. I've given lots of
these talks and think I have a better response when I present it as
something positive and achievable. I do not say, but I do mentally assume,
that the people in the audience are there because they want to take care of
their soil. So I approach it with as much humor as possible. I also say that
you can't just go cold turkey without having some losses--generally I give
some examples of people who have tried to do that and what happened to them.
Emphasize building soils over time in order to minimize problems. It also
helps to have some "quick fix" answers for some of the problems in your
area. --Planting habitats for beneficials comes to mind as an example.
But mostly, have fun and give these folks respect. They work hard too and,
in most cases, are just doing what they've been told to do. If you have a
good time with it, they will too.
Good luck
Miranda Smith
> ----------
> From: Wiediger, Alison
> Reply To: market farming
> Sent: Wednesday, February 7, 2001 11:40 AM
> To: market farming
> Subject: RE: Organic
>
> Marie,
> We had the same opportunity last year. Because we had so little time (2
> hours) and it is impossible to teach the system of organic growing in 2
> hours - especially to people that are 'chemically challenged', we chose to
> go the route of inspiration. We gave an inspirational talk on why growing
> organically is important, and how easy it is to do. Don't know if we made
> any converts, but we had lots of good questions, picked up several new
> customers at the market, and they sat enrapt for the whole two hours.
> Best
> to keep it upbeat, with the possibilities for themselves and their
> environment, rather than try to fight. Also, be ready with 'solutions'
> for
> common problems - we got a lot of questions about roses. most of all, have
> fun - people respond to that more than anything.
>
> Alison Wiediger
> Au Naturel Farm
>
>
> > ----------
> > From: Marie Kamphefner[SMTP:kampy AT grm.net]
> > Reply To: market farming
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 10:42 AM
> > To: market farming
> > Subject: Organic
> >
> > Regards to the list:
> >
> >
> > I have been asked to present a program about organic gardening to the
> > local Master Gardeners in March. Many of these people are Roundup users
> > and make no apologies for doing so. Sometimes I feel like an organic
> > guerilla when it comes to the subject of chemicals and GMO's and I just
> > want to lash out and name-call. Somehow, my gut tells me, I must find a
> > way to resist my guerilla tendencies and present to these people a
> > positive look at the present and future of organic growing. Do you
> think
> > that is enough to get across the virtues of organics or do I need to
> talk
> > about the horrors and evils of chemicals?
> >
> > We have all heard about the song birds being killed off and the
> "studies"
> > that show organic food is healthier. In our farm brochure it says,
> > "Studies have linked certain diseases to the ingestion of or exposure to
> > chemicals used in non-organic food production." It has occurred to me
> > that these things are vague and I could not show any black and white
> > evidence to back it up if asked. Do any of you know where I could find
> > documentation for support?
> >
> > How can I tell them they are fouling (I wouldn't ordinarily use that
> word)
> > their own nests without bruising their egos or appearing crude? How can
> I
> > encourage them to question what they're doing and to at least think
> about
> > gardening organically? Is it a good idea to present the program calmly
> > and let them come to their own conclusions, or should I just tell them
> if
> > they want to use chemicals to just go ahead and put it in the baby
> bottles
> > and get it over with?
> >
> > I have been given a soap box and I don't want to blow it.
> >
> > Marie in Missouri
> >
> >
> >
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>
-
Organic,
Marie Kamphefner, 02/07/2001
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- RE: Organic, Wiediger, Alison, 02/07/2001
- RE: Organic, Miranda Smith, 02/07/2001
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