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  • From: Janet Bachmann <janetb AT ncat.org>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] flea beetles vs. eggplants
  • Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 15:39:54 -0600



Alex McGregor wrote:
>
> I gave up on growing eggplant some years ago because the flea beetles
> always turned the
> young plants to lace. But then Ryan Cohen (Gaia Gardens in Atlanta) gave
> me a flat of
> Orient Charm from Johnny's that he had left over. I told him it would be a
> good trap
> crop- keep the flea beetles off the arugula. I had no hopes it would
> survive.
>
> But it did. The flea beetles hit it, ate a bunch of holes and stopped.
> there was
> plenty of leaf surface left and we got lots of eggplant through the season.
> And as a
> professor once said to me, "OK, that's one in a row." So I planted 2 beds
> last year
> (about 250 plants) and the same thing happened- plenty of eggplant.
>
> And this type is easy to sell, especially these days when no one wants to
> spend more
> than 1/2 hour preparing a meal. I explain to customers that all they have
> to do is
> slice and cook. No peeling, salting, rinsing & drying.
I've been informed that the ATTRA publication, Flea Beetles: Organic
Control Options, specifically mentions WHITE sticky traps for flea
beetles.
--
Janet Bachmann
Agriculture Specialist
National Center for Appropriate Technology
P.O. Box 3657
Fayetteville, AR 72702
(479)442-9824
(479)442-9842 fax
janetb AT ncat.org
www.attra.ncat.org
>From thiessenfarms AT sprint.ca Tue Mar 18 16:46:48 2003
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From: "Ron Thiessen" <thiessenfarms AT sprint.ca>
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Subject: [Market-farming] Re: Spanish speaking workers
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Emily,
We have employed Mexican workers on our farm for many years - few have
spoken any English. I took a night school conversational Spanish course at a
local high school to get the basics - that really helped. (The textbook used
was "Spanish Made Simple" by Eugene Jackson & Antonio Rubio (ISBN
0-385-18818-8) published by Doubleday & Co. It is a very useful book) A
Spanish/English dictionary is also valuable - I constantly carry one with
me.
Much of the work on a farm is perhaps better taught through demonstration
rather than explanation anyway, so our men have usually caught on quickly.
Be generous with the complements and affirmations when the work is done
correctly so they know they have understood. When I need to correct
something or give further instructions I have been known to practise ahead
what I will say or show to them - it can be frustrating for all of us if
they know something isn't right yet I can't communicate it clearly. What I
really miss is being able to give a reason for what we are doing, or some
background to whatever chore is being done. It can be frustrating for them
and me!
The real problems for us have occurred on the rare occasion that one of the
guys gets sick and requires medical attention, or has a personal problem
that affects his work. It is extremely useful if there are Spanish/English
speaking neighbours or people you know and can call on for translating in
these situations.( we employ our Mexican workers through a government
program here in Canada and can also call the Mexican Consulate in Toronto
for assistance)
However for us, their excellent work and attitude more than compensates for
the language difficulties.
Good luck!!
Ron Thiessen






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