apology to Ronald Nigh

Guy Ames (guya@ncatfyv.uark.edu)
Fri, 9 Feb 1996 15:54:23 -0600 (CST)

In the ongoing discussion on sustainable and organic ag, I wrongly
attributed the notion that ALL agriculture should meet NOSB standards
to Mr. Nigh. In reality this dubious distinction belongs to Anthony
Signorelli, who puts forth this idea in an essay, "Organic
Agriculture: Next Steps and New Concerns," published in the Winter
'96 Small Farmers' Journal. I was reading this essay at the same
that the SANET discussion was evolving, and made the mistake of
lumping Mr. Signorelli together with Mr. Nigh in my mind. I am very
sorry.

By the by, the precise quote (since I've been so guilty of
imprecision in my previous attribution) from Mr. Signorelli is:
"Here are some of the new directions in which we should be moving.
1. Push for *all* [ital.] agriculture to meet NOSB standards." Of
course, I find the notion that one set of standards be applied to all
farmers in all farming situations preposterous and frightening. I
need to remind the Californians and others in Mediterranean type
climates, that the pest and disease situation is radically different
in the East. Honestly, folks, it's really a lot easier to farm
organically in Californy. And just because it's easier to farm
organically out there doesn't mean that we should abandon food
production here.