permaculture

[Douglas Hinds <cedecor@gmx.net>]

Farmers, Academics and Rural Development Specialists:

The Alliance for Social and Environmental Responsibility in Development 
(formed by the State Biological and Agricultural Science Faculty, the 
two major Collective, Independent and Indigenous Farm Organizations and 
the Center for Community and Rural Development), have decided to 
collaborate and reopen lab facilities closed a few years ago by Mexico's 
worst ex-Secretary of Agriculture and increase the services offered, to 
support the needs of Permaculture, Organic and Fair Trade Farmers.

To that end, I am soliciting opinions regarding the Tests and Equipment 
required to perform an optimally useful and comprehensive service in 
support of a Sustainable, Equitable and Integral Society, in which both 
farmers and consumers have access to the information they need to be 
aware of what the food they consume actually contains.

Identifying the variables present in the Environment food is grown in 
(soil, water, beneficial and pathogenic organisms present, the 
substances those organisms produce and the conditions they require to do 
their work) are valuable adjuncts to farming and help assure desireable 
results.

The studies performed should also be able to determine whether 
transgenic genes and / or toxic chemicals are present in tissue, soil or 
water samples, as well as appraise the soils fertility and determine 
which (if any) nutritional elements are lacking for optimal as well as 
any other factors relevant to granting or denying organic certification.

In conclusion:

Which kinds of analsysis should be offerred by a competent Agricultural 
Laboratory in support of Organic, Biologically Integrated, and / or 
Sustainable Farming Systems?

And

What equipment is best suited for carrying out that purpose?

Thanks in advance for your creative and / or constructive suggestions.

Douglas Hinds