I believe it was 18 years ago now that the first Agricultural
Alternatives conference was held, sponsored by a student group of the
same name. This group of undergrads was outraged at the biased
education they perceived they were receiving, but rather than just
take it, they got organized and started educating themselves. They
would meet regularly, invite speakers, take field trips, and hold an
annual conference. I have been to most of them, and for the last few
years, have been on the organizing committee myself.
The original cadre of dedicated students has long since graduated,
and the process of holding the annual conference is now the
responsibility of a consortium of various parties, under the very
able guidance of a consultant, Tomas Nimmo. Last January, attendence
topped 800, with a trade show of about 60 booths (if memory serves),
a slate of about 20+ separate invited speakers, and Charles Benbrook
as the keynote speaker. Joel Salatin will be the keynote for next
January's conference, which is already well along in planning, thanks
to Tomas.
At any rate, I thought I'd comment on a positive initiative by an
enterprising group of independent-minded undergrads. The caliber of
exposure in our regular courses is marginally better now, I think,
although not much if I am to believe what I hear from most students.
There is still quite a polarity between the "environmental" courses
and the "agriculture" courses, although in my own courses, I try to
bridge the gap. I know some faculty are trying, although it must be
admitted, such a liason runs counter to the prevailing stream which
issues from higher administrative levels. Ann
ACLARK@plant.uoguelph.ca
Dr. E. Ann Clark
Associate Professor
Crop Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Phone: 519-824-4120 Ext. 2508
FAX: 519 763-8933
http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/www/CRSC/faculty/eac.htm
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