Ann wrote:
>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
I've been involved with educating some of these kids at what was called
Slice of Huron. And what Ann says is correct, conventional agriculture is
presented as if there is no other way. I was involved with the pork
producer's part of the display, which included a farrowing crate with a
litter of pigs. Some of the kids would ask why the tails were cut off of
the piglets. The conventional ag answer would be "to prevent vices" or
something like that, but the actual fact is that pigs tails are cut off
because we do not provide the proper facilities to meet the welfare needs of
the pigs, and have to cut off their tails to prevent them from chewing on
each other's tails. Doesn't sound quite as nice as "to prevent vices" does
it? The leaders in the pork industry present it as if it is the only way to
raise hogs, rather than saying it is only one way, and that there are more
animal welfare friendly options out there. Many farmers are too quick to
spew out the corporate defense of certain systems, rather than actually
thinking about, and questioning ourselves on why we do things the way we do.
Dave
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