SEON | I suppose you are asking me to look in the mirror, Paul? I really don't get the problem you have with me or anything I wrote. I personally think your frustration toward organic farmers is misdirected. I think you are upset at various activists and government entities like Greenpeace, and PETA and the DNR etc etc and you are lumping the organic farmer in with that crowd.
There seems to be a perception in this thread that "Organic Folks" (whoever they are) are pulling the wool over people's eyes. Let me assure you that Japanese organic soy bean buyers are sophisticated enough to know what they want. They want what they want and that is that. There is no sales pitch and certainly no pulling wool over anyone's eyes. To suggest otherwise is amusing. The buyers are responding to a demand from the end user. It's called capitalism. Get over it.
But then, the actual differences between conventional farming and organic farming become pretty fuzzy, don't they?
The big difference, if I may be permitted to generalize (yet again, see above) is that organics does not allow the use of GMO seed or synthetic chemicals (whatever that means). Certainly there are some other details in there like living conditions for animals, drugs for animals land stewardship and stuff, but by an large, if we are talking crops, the only difference is no synthetic chemicals.
Is it really sustainable to be importing manure from other farms to 'sustain' yours? And claim that the organic way is sustainable?
Well I guess it depends on what you compare it to but I have never said organic was more sustainable. Not sure where you get that. I did ask Ben to consider a few points after HE brought up sustainability, but I did not cast the first stone.
Again, that gets to the marketing of organics, but that is what is out their in the public discussion, how organic production is pure and uses not fertilizers and so on....
But it's not, is it?
And there is the rub.
Maybe you and the public don't understand. Please show me where any organic authority says fertilizers are prohibited?
But in order to get premium prices for organic crops. It would not be good marketing to admit that.....
Nobody of any authority is hiding the use of manure, cover crops or the use of non synthetic fertilizers. Can you rove me wrong on this? Show me.
And then we get to the real deal - its all about money.
Of course it's all about money. What else would it be about. Do you think I am doing this for free?
The organic folks say Monsanto and any farmer using such is the root of all evil for their love of money.......
Show me an organic authority that says that. Of course there is marketing material out there that knocks big M, but these aren't organic farmers....they are activists.
While the organic folk themselves are promoting ther way as better to gain an ecconomic advantage.
Hum.
I realize you would need to look deeply in a mirror to see or admit that, and it is a difficult thing to do. Maybe some baby steps can be made.
Paul
I really don't know what to say except maybe you should educate yourself a little more. But then if you knew what you were talking about there wouldn't be anything to talk about would there?
Edited by rank 7/24/2013 21:42
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Forbes article on the "Organic Religion".
