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  • From: pmottshaw AT verizon.net
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Cc: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] odd request for the list
  • Date: Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:14:39 -0600 (CST)


Kathryn,

My "day job" is in communications & print/web design, and I joined this list
to learn as much as I can about sustainable agriculture.
I did read the article (thanks for the link) and don't think you over
reacted. The author seems to have a basic knowledge about organics; as a
reporter he should have definitely dug deeper to get a thorough understanding.
I think the general public has this same very basic view and desperately need
to be educated.


Paula Mottshaw
URI Master Gardener
Foster, RI

Mar 4, 2011 08:14:46 PM, market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:

===========================================

Kathryn,

I think that the author of that article made some good points about organic
"technology".  A neighbor of mine slighted my organic farming methods as not
being very technological, but he is very naive about how I/we manage our
farms.  The author does talk about practices that I use, like spraying
Surround on my crops to repel insects.  I like the definition of technology
that he offered, being the practical application of knowledge, especially in
a particular area.  As far as I am concerned, those technological practices
that I use are much more sustainable than using chemical pesticides,
fertilizers and monocultures.  If you think he should dig deeper, then you
might want to go back and tell specifically what you mean.  I don't think it
is too late to do that.  That would be your opportunity to educate him.  We
are working with nature and technology in a symbiotic way.

Kurt Forman
Clearview Farm
Palmyra, NY 14522

--- KAKerby AT aol.com wrote:

From: KAKerby AT aol.com
To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [Market-farming] odd request for the list
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 15:20:00 -0500 (EST)



I was recently contacted by someone who had written an article about
organic farming, and he wanted my "take" on it.  I wasn't sure what to
expect, nor why he would ask my opinion (or even how he found me).  But I
said sure, I'll read it. You can read his article here.
 
When I did read it, I was rather irritated with the article - its premise,
its arguments and its conclusion all smacked of a profound lack of
understanding
about organic farming and what the issues are.  I wrote back what I thought
was a very gentle reply, encouraging this individual to "dig a little deeper"
if
he wanted to write about organic agriculture issues in any sort of competent
and
significant way.  His reply to that was "thanks anyway".  It felt
like a lost opportunity to educate one more person on the issues faced by
growers and livestock producers, whether organic or not.  On the other hand
I wondered if I was making a big deal out of nothing.  He's not a policy
maker, he's not even in the ag industry.  Just some guy who wanted to write
about organic farming.  But the whole experience gave me a sour "missed
opportunities" feeling.

I guess I'd be curious what y'all think of his article, and if I
over-reacted.  I'd also be curious if anyone on the list has successfully
"educated" someone who expressed a general interest in the topic, but came
into
it with what IMHO amounted to a junior high school level of knowledge about
the
subject matter.  I think education is so important if we are to protect and
promote the work that we do.  I shudder to think this article really
represents what the public thinks of our efforts (and our intelligence). 
Or maybe I'm just over-reacting.
Kathryn Kerby
frogchorusfarm.com
Snohomish, WA
Ruminations - essays on the farming life at
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