Do you think the adaptation of rotational grazing and seasonal dairying by the amish is because of the philosophy of grass production being better for the environment or is it because they have a disadvantage because they aren't able to use as much mechanization. There are a lot of SGD in our area now too. I think it just plain makes more sense when most things they have to do is by hand to not make the hay in the first place or haul the manure after its fed.
Best wishes,
Greg
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Groff <sgroff@epix.net>
To: Greg & Lei Gunthorp <hey4hogs@kuntrynet.com>
Cc: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu <sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu>
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2000 1:13 PM
Subject: Re: Amish, sustainability, low input, and marketing
Greg & Lei Gunthorp wrote:
I see the subject of Amish has once again come up in the debates. Why is that most assume that Amish are organic, almost organic, or something along those lines? I live in a county with at least 15,000 amish. We have amish that are organic and sustainable. It might actually be a higher percentage than us "English" farmers. But lets not fool anyone! Most amish send the elevator out to spray each year. Most raise their animals in the same style confinement barns as conventional. Most plant gmos, etc.
Greg,
you are exactly right. I live in Lancaster County, PA and have Amish all around me. the ratio of organic and/or sustainable Amish to English farmers is nearly identicle around here. They really love the bt corn because they harvest it by hand for silage and the stalks don't break as much. I've also heard of horses being *yellow* from pulling a sprayer applying the herbicide prowl. There are some good organic/sustainable Amish farmers though. quite a few are going to rotational grazing.
--
Steve Groff
"Enhancing the Environment" http://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com/
Cedar Meadow Farm
679 Hilldale Road
Holtwood, PA 17532 USA
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