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market-farming - Re: Peddlers at Markets (eco-ag extension agents)

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Subject: Market Farming

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: "R. Harrill" <brixman AT erols.com>
  • To: market farming <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Peddlers at Markets (eco-ag extension agents)
  • Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 12:40:04 -0800


Bill Shoemaker wrote:

> but there are many, many more I respect, who believe in the mission of
> outreach to the public with research-based information. There are some who
> enthusiastically represent sustainable ag, organic ag, eco-ag.

Bill, is there some way an eco-ag agent could be identified? Could they form
a sub-set
in the extension service, or would being identified as such be the kiss of
death,
promotion wise? Clearly that agent in VA was summarily canned for espousing
decent
agriculture.

Experience has taught me that if I call an agent in my county, or another,
and present a
problem I'll be told to use XYZ toxic-chemical to "solve" it. I also have
found the
Master Gardeners to be rather useless as they are forbidden to suggest
home-style
remedies that have worked well for generations.

About all my agent is useful to me for is to help identify weeds. I'd sure
like to be
able to talk to an eco-ag agent even if it meant I had to call long distance.
Can you,
or anyone, publish a list of right-thinking agents? If you do, give their
email
addresses and phone numbers.


> As educated professionals they
> all have a right to represent their professional views, just as I do when I
> write to this forum.

It's not that easy. I want their *non-toxic* advice and not some parroting
of chem-talk
they learned at a chem-grant supported ag college. I also resent that they
first read,
and then leave lying around their office, the "free" magazines put out by chem
companies.


> But I think it's unfair to call them all idiots.

What's your estimate of [toxic mind-set] idoicy percentage? And do you think
the
organic standards debacle could have been avoided if a large number of eco-ag
agents
(yes, that does sound like an oxymoron) had spoken up and placed their input
right at
the beginning?

Thanks for your help,
Rex Harrill






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