permaculture

[mIEKAL aND <dtv@mwt.net>]

(if this is true this is really bad news for a lot of organic  
farmers..... can anyone verify this?)

The Senate slaps sustainable ag
Posted by Tom Philpott at 10:04 AM on 21 Feb 2007

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/2/21/81432/2286

Ask small-scale, sustainable-minded farmers where they go for tips,  
and invariably they'll mention ATTRA, an information clearinghouse  
funded by the USDA.

Just this morning, I went to attra.org to get information on how to  
make organic potting-soil mix for starting seeds. Like many farmers,  
I've printed out copies of ATTRA's indispensable guides to cover  
crops and soil management and keep them in a prominent place in the  
farm office.

As a new farmer, I can't imagine a world without ATTRA, which stands  
for Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas. That's why my  
blood began to boil this morning when I found out that the Senate had  
voted to defund ATTRA's ultra-modest $2.5 million annual budget.