North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["tanis cuff" <tanistanis@hotmail.com>]

One thing not mentioned in the string so far is the loss of the 
ag-supporting sector of the economy, as farm numbers reduce and rural areas 
depopulate.   I don't have immediate access to the latest figures on this, 
but those who tend to suffer winter depression this time of year don't want 
to know this right now anyway !

Again I'll use the seed testing industry to illustrate :  my eyes popped at 
the earlier quote of 70k income for refinery workers.  This to do a job 
which in the long run is probably doing civilization more harm than good 
(RHETORICAL STATEMENT-- I know this bit alone could start a whole new 
string).  While someone who works in a seed lab, which, overall, STABILIZES 
THE FOOD SUPPLY, can dream of making half that much.  If, that is, this lab 
worker has enough college education, years of experience, and enough 
accreditation level.  And it's REAL accrediation, not "just a piece of 
paper."

No, I would never talk anyone out of learning to grow as much of their own 
food as possible !

tc

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