Environmentalists and Agriculturalists

mrayburn@chowan.ces.ncsu.edu
Thu, 30 Dec 93 10:15:34 EST

As one who tries to walk the Sustainable Ag tightrope, I'd
like to make a few comments on the E's vs. A's discussion. I am
associated with Land Grant Institutions (I am an Ag Agent with the
NC Cooperative Extension Service) and work in what I consider a
sustainable ag field - Integrated Pest Management. I work with
both A's (farmers) and E's (environmental groups as well as the
general public).
It is possible to get these seemingly diverse groups to work
together. Much of what I do involves "educating" the
"environmentalists" about what agriculturalists (in the best sense
of the word - farmers who do care about the environment) really are
doing. There is a great deal of ignorance out there about what
farming involves on the part of the non-farming public including
those who sometimes wear the label "environmentalist." A few
points (from my experience):
1. Farmers are not in business just to "enjoy" farming the
land and a rural lifestyle. They have to make a profit to be
sustainable. They have families to feed and clothe, bills to pay,
and kids to send to college. Sustainable ag has be profitable in
the short and long term. Could you afford to give up this year's
income so that future income could be "more environmentally sound?"
2. Farmers are very much in tune to natural systems
(although, perhaps modified). Their living depends on it. They
are very much aware of the consequences of farming practices. They
do care about protecting the environment for themselves, their
families, their neighbors (including the urban ones), and future
generations.
3. Farmers do make responsible choices to protect the
environment in their farming practices - when economically feasible
(see point number 1). An example is IPM - Farmer saves money by
using a variety of pest management strategies and applying
pesticides (including biological ones) only when necessary and
economically justified. Environment benefits by reduced use of
pesticides and fertilizers. A win-win situation!
4. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has a
committment to Sustainable Ag. (I don't know about other states).
There are ongoing educational programs in sustainable ag -
conferences; workshops; training; funding of positions in
integrated pest management, public policy education; etc. We are
reaching people. There are successes. Cotton farmers don't treat
for aphids to protect beneficials. Soybeans are not routinely
treated with insecticides to control corn earworms. Peanut growers
use weather information to help determine the need for fungicide
applications. Fields are scouted. Treatment is based on
thresholds. Soil samples are taken and relied on for fertilizer
applications.

The A's and E's do need to work together and educate each
other about what is really going on. I see IGNORANCE as the big
enemy to progress in sustainable ag.

(By the way, these disappearing Midwest pheasants that Bob
Wilson is talking about - are they native, or the introduced Ring-
necked variety?)

Thanks for letting me have my say. Happy New Year.

--Marjorie

-- 
Marjorie Rayburn
E-Mail  : mrayburn@chowan
Internet: mrayburn@chowan.ces.ncsu.edu
Phone   : (919) 482-8431