Hal Hamilton wrote:
> Avery doesn't just get into Readers Digest, he also helps shape the
> curriculum for Ag in the Classroom.
>
Now, this is a worthwhile point. I am wholly in sympathy with Misha's earlier
rejoinder, stating "why give Avery yet another platform" in the form of a
debate with Salatin or someone else. If you are going to play this kind of
game, you need to be clear that he is a master at using such fora to achieve
his own ends and has vastly deeper pockets than we do. The issues are not
objectively framed or discussed, making it impossible to "win" on any logical
or clear-headed or factual basis - even by someone has articulate and
knowledgeable as Misha. It is an unwinnable debate, if "winning" is actually
the goal.
I was willing to leave it at that, until I thought some about Hal's comment
above. So, if we withdraw from exploring the possibility of a direct
confrontation/debate/dialogue/whatever with people like Avery - because of the
reasoning outlined above - how can we best address the issue of what goes into
Readers Digestion (guess I'd better clarify, "that is a joke"), and worse,
into school curricula? I am still unconvinced that public debates are an
effective approach, but then, what is?
Conventional ag has lobbied quite effectively to introduce their position,
values, and practices into elementary school and up, at least in Canada and I
would expect here as well. My son would bring home coupons for subsidized
milk, fridge magnets, pencils, etc. and brochures - all courtesy of the Dairy
Farmers of Ontario. There is an entire, institutional program for 5th or 6th
grade kids to go "to the country" and learn about (conventional) agriculture
in Ontario - crafted with the active involvement of mainstream ag
organizations.
I don't think that this is a bad idea, exposing urban kids to farm realities,
but it is certainly one-sided - and we have been left out. Is there scope for
adding our contribution to such programs? Should a separate initiative be
undertaken? Should we be making and providing videos, interactive CD games,
booklets, farm tours, or what - to schools regarding organic, ecological
and/or sustainable farming? Other ideas? Ann
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