Lester Loam wrote:
> Dale Wilson wrote:
>
> >This list is filled with negative people, apparently worshipping >the
> >coming apocalypse.
>
> Dale:
>
> I beg to differ. Most of the people on sanet and most in the sustainable ag
> community are among the most positive people I know. They don't worship the
> apocalypse. They're doing all they can to make sure that it doesn't happen
> in their lifetime or anytime in the near future.
>
> I'm not trying to speak for all, but I think most in the sustainable ag
> community have a strong, clear and positive vision of the world as it could
> be. They see the small percentage of farmers who have broken from the
> conventional paradigm (or never embraced it) and are forging sustainable
> operations that are economically and environmentally sustainable -- or at
> least closer to it than the run-of-the-mill farm. They envision what the
> world would look like if this were the rule, rather than the exception, and
> they like what they see.
>
> They see thriving rural communities. They see humane livestock systems.
> They see a global food system that is just and provides everyone with
> sufficient, secure and healthful food supplies.
>
> This is not an apocalyptic vision. Utopian, maybe. But not doom and gloom.
>
> If you sense negativity from this group, it is possibly because they are
> negative about business as usual. It might be that they are negative about
> the tactics you embrace to reach your somewhat different vision of a
> sustainable future.
>
> Are sustainable ag people defensive? You bet. I think that perhaps a
> decade ago, they were encouraged that there appeared to be bridges to their
> sustainable vision. But lately, very powerful forces appear to be trying to
> slam the door shut on their vision. It's easy to get defensive when you see
> the window of opportunity shrinking on your vision.
>
> Consequently, you hear a lot more criticism of what's happening today than
> you hear about the positive vision of the future. Is that what you
> interpret as negativity?
>
> Lester
>
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