Organic Pineapple Working Group

[Organic Pineapple Working Group <opwg AT lists.ibiblio.org>]

Dear Douglas,

I read your comments below.  Can I assume from this that you are interested
in Biodynamic agriculture?

Rob Moss

-----Original Message-----
From: opwg-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:opwg-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org]
On Behalf Of Organic Pineapple Working Group
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 2:47 PM
To: Organic Pineapple Working Group
Subject: [OP] Organic: The Concept


Organic Agriculture as an explicit field of endeavor arose
originally from a dual motivation fusing a reaction against the need
to consume toxic pesticide residues contained in food derived from
plants fed incomplete synthetic fertilizers (on the one hand), based
in part on an instinctive belief that this need doesn't faithfully
reflect the kind of world we live in and form part of (on the other).

Built on that foundation, the "Organic Concept" represented a series of
practices and principles that conceived of agriculture as a naturally
occurring phenomena derived from multiple biological processes
created by many living organisms sharing a common environment.

This fundamental concept differs greatly from the assumptions
conventional, chemically based agriculture uses to envision
agriculture as an activity that involves principally farmers,
crops, pests, pesticide manufacturers and consumers; a concept
that emphasizes the existence of a hostile environment filled
with creatures that pose a threat to humanity's needs and goals.

Adherents of Organic Agriculture understand that the vast majority
of of the non-human elements present in our shared environment
constitute resources that provide farmers with their most valuable
patrimony, if we bother to study, identify beneficial organisms,
comprehend the nature of the substances they produce and the
conditions they require to do so, then work with them (by providing
those conditions) rather than work against them.

Unfortunately, this general orientation underlying the rise of
Organic Farming and the Demand for the Organic Food it produced,
became subservient to Organic Marketing (Commerce) when the Organic
Food Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) was finally approved by the
United States Congress in 2002. By requiring Third Party
Certification in order to market Organically Produced Food as
Organic, OFPA (and similar legislatives initiatives in other
countries) created a different meaning of "Organic Food", legally.

Not withstanding, the biological foundations that Organic
Agriculture is built on haven't changed one bit, and Agriculture
(particularly Organic Agriculture) continues to be the result of a
Collaborative, Cooperative Effort in which myriad living organisms
participate and coordinate those efforts within the biosphere in
which they occur.

I assume all of you joined the Organic Pineapple Working Group
motivated by a desire to be aware of the methods available for
Organic Pineapple Production, methods successfully employed in the
diverse Pineapple Growing locations of the planet.

But in order for that information to be available from OPWG, we (the
44 pineapple growers, researchers and specialists in sustainable
development currently subscribed), must agree to collaborate (like
the rest of the beneficial organisms do in organic agriculture),
then reach an understand regarding how the various research areas
will be divided among us.

To date, only Rob Moss, Duane Bartholomew and myself (Douglas Hinds)
have responded to the Invitation that was posted recently to OPWG
for that effect. While I don't mean to nag (or perhaps I do, although
not excessively), unless additional participants volunteer, OPWG
will not be likely to fulfill the expectations of those than joined.

(Anyone reserving judgement due to his/her hesitation to share
information with potential competitors is welcome to communicate
with me by private mail so we can discuss ways to assure that no
one's legitimate interests become abused in the process).

Thanks in advance for your attention and understanding.

Douglas Hinds <opwg-owner AT lists.ibiblio.org> (OPWG Chair)
Mexico <cedecor AT gmx.net>





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