Re: Avery

Victoria Mundy (toria@pop.uky.edu)
Thu, 20 May 1999 10:55:59 -0400

Hello everyone,
In an article published in _Choices_ magazine (First Quarter 1997, p.
10-13), Mr. Avery brought up a point that I'd appreciate some research
direction on...it appeared to be a point that does need addressing instead
of dismissing.

He says that we do not have enough organic nitrogen to support organic
production. He suggests that the only way to get the necessary N is to
clear forests to plant more legumes.

Of course his suggestion is narrow-minded and he ignores a whole raft of
issues such as conservation of N and sensible usage, but the question of
N-sufficiency did give me pause. I especially had to stop to think because
most of the organic farmers I talk to *do* tend to import N in the form of
off-farm compost, off-farm manure, etc. Their goal is always not to have
to do so, but this goal seems difficult to achieve.

I'd welcome ideas, especially those that lead me to the library.

Thanks,
Victoria
*************************************
Victoria Mundy
Dept. of Agronomy
N106R Ag. Sci. North, UK
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
606/257-2103
*************************************

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