Bluestem Associates wrote:
> 1) There is nothing that prohibits a conventional grower from using
> some or all of the techniques commonly attributed to (but rarely
> employed by) "organic" farmers. Such as good rotations, green manures,
> compost, refugia for beneficial insects, etc, etc.
>
> 2) There is nothing that prohibits a conventional grower from using
> some or all of the slowly available mineral nutrients commonly
> attributed to (but rarely employed in) "organic" production. Such as
> rock phosphate, sul-po-mag, gypsum, etc. etc.
>
> 3) Combine 1 and 2 with judicious use of carefully selected chemical
> fertilisers (such as ammonium sulphate, mono-ammonium phosphate,
> potassium chloride and micronutrients) along with judicious use of
> carefully selected chemical pesticides (such as Imidan, Roundup, and
> assorted fungicides).
>
> I would say that with such a system the conventional grower will
> harvest a better *quality* product than the vast majority of organic
> growers who, in their stubborn infatuation with materials issues, may
> get it right about not using "chemicals" but generally miss the boat on
> soil building, mineral nutrients, organic matter management, nitrogen
> fixation, understanding the weed community .... and on and on.
Bart's comments are right on the money. The quest for healthy food, higher
nutrition, and environmental responsibility does not end with adopting organic
practices. The recipe is found somewhere in points 1,2, and 3 above.
-- Steve Groff"Enhancing the Environment" http://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com/ Cedar Meadow Farm 679 Hilldale Road Holtwood, PA 17532 USA
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