Greetings all,
It pleases me to continue to see such thoughtful discussions of the issues
facing organic agriculture, American culture, and the world food supply.
Although I'm involved with the organic industry, I haven't forgotten the
reason why I support organic agriculture. I'm still a consumer, and an
environmentalist (many want to burn me at the stake for that, too). I know
organic farmers are working for food without synthetic chemical tool use.
Whether that food is scientifically, quantitatively more nutritious - to me,
this is besides the point. The environment is not getting further poisoned,
and that's what I want to support. I know the "Big Guys" are largely in it
for the money. I may bemoan their motivations, but on one level at least, I
still support their end result - less pollutants in the environment and in
the food I eat.
Our culture has accepted science as the only definitive path to "truth."
Throw me all the scientific reasons why "there is no difference from a
health standpoint between organic and conventional," and I would still feel
the same way - organic is helping the environment, not hurting it.
Friends in Minnesota, Iowa, and Florida tell me that drinking from the local
city systems is no longer an option, due to the top water aquifers'
pesticide pollution. IMHO, that in itself is enough reason to support
organic.
Diane Cooner, editor
The Inspectors' Report
Independent Organic Inspectors Association
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-sanet-mg@cals.ncsu.edu
[mailto:owner-sanet-mg@cals.ncsu.edu]On Behalf Of Ronald Nigh
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2000 4:52 AM
To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu
Subject: Science and the Organic Cosnumer
Dale, Bart and Grace,
I think you are dead wrong on this.
Grace wrote:
>It
>is still a damn shame to have to accept that what consumers want in this
>case is at odds with scientific (or philosophic) defensibility. Once upon
>a time we thought we could have both.
>
>
The American consumer is sensible enough to know that industrialized
agriculture has produced quantity and sacrificed quality. Anyone who
thinks the average American diet based on processed food, fast food and the
like is remotely "healthy" just because modern food science refuses to
really address the issues is involved in a colossal self-delusion.
Consumers are concerned with the environmental effects of agriculture as
well as the health effects. They buy organics becasue they believe most
organic farmers are struggling to build an alternative, healthy agriculture
and they want to support them. This is no "science' that contradicts them,
although of course the "solid science" in the service of the food industry
a la Avery uses millions of dollars to create smoke screens.
Organic agriculture is the agriculture of the future. Academics have just
never been able to swallow that; as the organic commerce grew to over 5
billion dollars they continue to huff and grump and say there's 'no
scientific evidence'. Only on this list, at the ag colleges and at the
Hudson Institute et al do you find this attitude.
If 'science' can't or won't show the differences between responsible
organic agriculture and factory farming then it's science that's off base,
simply refusing to look at the issues.
Ronald Nigh
Dana, A.C.
Mexico, D.F. & San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Tel. y FAX 525-666-73-66 (DF)
529-678-72-15 (Chiapas)
danamex@mail.internet.com.mx
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