-----Original Message-----
From: Wiediger, Alison <awiediger@Hart.k12.ky.us>
To: sanet <sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu>
Date: Wednesday, August 04, 1999 3:58 PM
Subject: RE: Whole Foods buying local?
>
>Here in KY, 4-5 years ago, we had an organic producers' cooperative called
>Kentucky Organic Growers. It was sponsored in part by the Burley
>Cooperative. I participated in it both seasons it was active, was steering
>committee chair the second season. If anyone is interested in how that
>worked, and didn't work, the successes and pitfalls, let me know. I learned
>a lot. Our market was restaurants and subscriptions in our two large metro
>areas. Our three largest problems were growers not understanding standards
>and wanting a premium 'because it's organic' regardless of quality,
>consistent production, and growers too widespread for efficient movement of
>product. Growing and selling locally is a great idea, but you must have a
>good market within a reasonable driving distance, and here in KY, that
>doesn't always happen. I'll be glad to share.
>
>Alison Wiediger
>Au Naturel Farm
>Smiths Grove, KY
>
>
>> ----------
>> From: Lawrence F. London, Jr.[SMTP:london@metalab.unc.edu]
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 1999 12:59 PM
>> To: sanet
>> Subject: Re: Whole Foods buying local?
>>
>>
>> Lawrence F. London, Jr. -+|+- Venaura Farm
>> london@metalab.unc.edu lflondon@worldnet.att.net
>> http://metalab.unc.edu/london, /permaculture, /ecolandtech
>> EcoLandTech -+|+- InterGarden -+|+- Permaculture
>>
>> Offshoot of the WF thread:
>>
>> > Ditto - same thing in Austin during the Texas Organic Growers annual
>> meeting.
>>
>> Why isn't there a North Carolina Natural Growers .....
>>
>> instead of a proliferation of "non-profits" :-) :-) :-)
>> claiming to support the market grower and small farmer, that rely on
>> grants, donations and membership fees for survival, and, of course, money
>> from the few "organic" farmers in the state willing to shell out a chunk
>> of their hard earned income to pay for the 3rd party certification - in
>> the face of loss of market share, lowered prices, increased competition
>> from out-of-area companies.
>>
>>
>> We have needed this for a long time and need it even more now. I wish a
>> few of us could figure out a way to get a real organization for North
>> Carolina natural growers started. This would accomodate the organic but
>> non-certified grower who would rely on building credibility and faith
>> amongst consumers who buy from him through csa, local green market,
>> farmers market, direct sales, coop or even brokerage service. Those
>> wanting organic certification would be accomodated as well.
>> Grow locally - sell locally. We are losing growers, farmland and market
>> share here in NC and We need to do something real to shore up small
>> farming as a lifestyle and way of making a living here and all over the
>> US.
>>
>> Eric Kindberg came to NC a few years ago and outlined a very effective
>> plan for accomplishing much of the above. We need to followup on this
>> now.
>>
>> Why are there so few posts originating from North Carolina in this forum?
>>
>> Eric:
>> -----
>> Ascend the stage. Give us an update on your ideas, a plan for the next
>> millenium for small growers in NC ....and elsewhere.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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