Alternative Agriculture News
Volume 18, Number 7 (July 2000)
Henry A. Wallace Center for Agricultural & Environmental Policy at Winrock
International
1621 North Kent Street, Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22209-2134 USA
Phone (703) 525-9430, Fax (703) 525-1744
E-mail: wallacecenter@winrock.org
Web site: www.hawiaa.org
* * *
If You Are Interested in Sustainable Agriculture...
In addition to this monthly newsletter, the Henry A. Wallace Center for
Agricultural & Environmental Policy at Winrock International (formerly the
Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture) publishes the
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture, a quarterly, peer-reviewed
journal of research on alternative agriculture. It is a scientific forum
for disseminating technical, economic, and social research findings about
the character and requirements of alternative/sustainable agricultural
systems.
Purslane as a living mulch in broccoli production is the lead article in
the current issue (Volume 15, Number 2, 2000) of AJAA. Other articles cover
the following topics: an assessment of reduced herbicide and fertilizer
inputs on cereal grain yield and weed growth; studies of the preceding crop
effect of ley in ecological agriculture; performance of reduced-tillage
cropping systems for sustainable grain production in Maryland; and factors
influencing resident attitudes regarding land application of biosolids.
For U.S. subscribers, one volume (four issues) costs US$44 for libraries,
US$24 for individuals, and US$12 for students; foreign rates are also
available. For more information, contact the Wallace Center/Winrock
International, 1621 North Kent Street, Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22209-2134
USA; (703) 525-9430 ext. 675; wallacecenter@winrock.org.
* * *
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEWS BRIEFS
Pesticide Use Would Increase with Warmer Weather, Says Global Warming Report
British Supermarket Chain Switches to Organic Vegetables
German Chancellor Asks Agri-Business to Stall on GM Crops Until 2003
GM Crops Are So "Pervasive," They Are Hard to Avoid, Say Companies
New Study Finds GM Corn Doesn't Hurt Black Swallowtail Butterflies
Oregon Company Turns Fish Waste into Organic Fertilizer
WALLACE CENTER/WINROCK NEWS
Wallace Center Has New Address, Phone Number with Move to Winrock's
Virginia Office
Historic USDA Research Center Named for Henry A. Wallace
POSITIONS
RESOURCES
UPCOMING EVENTS
* * *
NEWS BRIEFS
PESTICIDE USE WOULD INCREASE WITH WARMER WEATHER, SAYS GLOBAL WARMING REPORT
Greenhouse gas emissions are likely to increase average temperatures
across the United States by 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, causing
pesticide use to increase for most crops and in most states, according to a
draft government report released last month. Climate Change Impacts on the
United States. "The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and
Change," released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, projects that
"increased need for pesticide application on corn was generally in the
range of 10-20%, on potatoes 5-15%, and on soybeans and cotton, 2-5%." In
addition, "this assessment did not consider the environmental consequences
of increased pesticide use, and it is possible that these would be
substantial. In a complete economic analysis, the costs of negative impacts
of pesticides on the environment would be considered."
The key agricultural issues identified and discussed in the draft report
are crop yield changes and associated economic consequences, changing water
demands for irrigation, surface water quality, pesticide use, and climate
variability. "Issues of concern include regulatory actions that might
increase costs, such as efforts to control the off-site consequences of
soil erosion, agricultural chemicals, and livestock wastes; growing
resistance to and restrictions on the use of genetically modified crops;
extreme weather or climate events such as droughts and floods; new pests;
and the development of pest resistance to existing pest control strategies.
Future changes in climate will interact with all of these factors."
The draft report is available on the Internet at
www.gcrio.org/NationalAssessment/.
BRITISH SUPERMARKET CHAIN SWITCHES TO ORGANIC VEGETABLES
The British supermarket chain Iceland is switching its entire store brand
of frozen vegetables to organic, at no cost to consumers, according to an
article in The London Guardian (June 15, 2000). "The company claimed to
have bought up nearly 40% of the world's organic vegetable supplies to meet
the growing demand from customers," the article said. "It is paying farmers
around the world between 10% and 25% more over three-year contracts, and
will cut . . . from its profit margins to avoid charging higher prices. The
aggressive marketing move follows the company's non-GM policy and decision
to remove artificial coloring and flavoring from own-brand products."
Most of the organic produce will come from Europe, the United States, and
Central America, according to the story. In announcing the policy,
Iceland's chairman Malcolm Walker said, "Ethically and morally we are happy
to be fighting for better food. Commercially it makes sense as well. The
market is expected to grow at 40% over the next five years. We are giving
the customers a choice of buying natural organic food at affordable prices."
GERMAN CHANCELLOR ASKS AGRI-BUSINESS TO STALL ON GM CROPS UNTIL 2003
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has called on agri-businesses not to
grow genetically modified plants until 2003 so the government can
investigate their effect on the environment, according to Reuters (June 21,
2000). He called for a voluntary pause to increase scientific awareness and
public acceptance of genetically modified crops. In a paper proposing the
three-year delay, Schroeder wrote, "In this time frame, the environmental
effect of commercial application and extensive cultivation of GM plants
should be determined." The delay would also "create the basis for the
responsible use of the innovation potential of GM plants."
According to Reuters, "the German proposal follows a scandal [in May] in
which farmers in Germany, Britain, Sweden, France and Luxembourg
unknowingly grew some GM modified crops after importing seeds from Canada.
France ordered its farmers to destroy the crops."
GM CROPS ARE SO "PERVASIVE," THEY ARE HARD TO AVOID, SAY COMPANIES
Many big food producers say that genetically modified crops "are so
pervasive that it would be prohibitively expensive, and in some cases,
nearly impossible, to eliminate them entirely," according to an article in
The New York Times (June 4, 2000). "The industry says that ridding the
nation of biotechnology-based ingredients would require a huge and costly
reform of the agriculture system." Despite announcements made by several
food companies that they would not use genetically modified products, "none
of these companies is actually abandoning biotechnology," the story said.
For example, although Frito-Lay said it would stop using genetically
modified corn in its chips, it continues to use corn syrup made from
genetically modified crops in its soft drinks, according to the article.
Mark Dollins of Quaker Oats points to the fact that "there is no system in
the U.S. to segregate GM from non-GM. Any company that says it can
segregate, we'd like to know how they do it."
While "many big food producers are betting heavily on the success and
future profitability of genetically modified corn and soybeans," others are
"dropping genetically modified foods from their products, trying to avoid
what could be a public relations disaster." At the same time, the article
says, "some food giants are investing in organic or natural food units.
Last year, Kellogg bought Worthington Foods, which makes vegetarian dishes.
Earlier this year, Kraft Foods bought companies that make nutrition bars
and soy burgers, while General Mills, the cereal maker, and Mars, the candy
maker, now offer organic foods."
NEW STUDY FINDS GM CORN DOESN'T HURT BLACK SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES
A strain of genetically modified corn that produces Bt does not harm black
swallowtail butterflies in the wild, according to a study by a research
team at the University of Illinois. The study, reported in the Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences, was the first of a series of field
studies being conducted to determine whether the crop is a danger to the
environment, according to the Associated Press (June 6, 2000). Bt corn,
which produces an insecticide that is toxic to the European corn borer, had
killed the larvae of monarch butterflies that ingested its pollen,
according to a laboratory study at Cornell University last year.
The swallowtail is considered to be less sensitive to the corn toxin than
the monarch, but the swallowtail is much more likely to be exposed to the
pollen, according to the AP. Farmers were expected to plant about 14
million acres of Bt corn this year, 18 percent of the total corn acreage.
OREGON COMPANY TURNS FISH WASTE INTO ORGANIC FERTILIZER
An Oregon company is converting fish waste into organic fertilizer which
is used on farm fields in the Willamette Valley, as well as home gardens
and commercial nurseries, according to The Portland Oregonian (June 9,
2000). In addition, Oregon's wine producers are turning to fish-based
fertilizer to increase productivity and safeguard the environment, the
story said. The company, Bio-Oregon, processes about 75 million pounds of
seafood waste from fish processors in Oregon and southwest Washington each
year. About 60 million pounds end up in salmon feed used by fish
hatcheries; the rest goes into the company's line of fertilizers. To
receive the organic label in Oregon, fish fertilizers must meet standards
set by Oregon Tilth.
According to Bruce Buckmaster, co-owner of Bio-Oregon, "We are seeing the
need grow. The majority of the growth has been on organic agriculture.
Organic fertilizers are fully utilized by the plant over a period of 80 to
100 days, so people don't have to fertilize as often, and they don't have
to get a more costly product." Bio-Oregon's customers like the fish
fertilizer products, according to the article. "They are ever-increasing in
popularity," said a purchasing manager at Portland Nursery. "We see the
sales growing every year. People are happy with the results."
WALLACE CENTER/WINROCK NEWS
WALLACE CENTER HAS NEW ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER WITH MOVE TO WINROCK'S
VIRGINIA OFFICE
Effective July 10, 2000, the Wallace Center will be located in the
Virginia office of Winrock International in Arlington. The new address is
the Henry A. Wallace Center for Agricultural & Environmental Policy,
Winrock International, 1621 N. Kent St., Ste. 1200, Arlington, VA
22209-2134; phone (703) 525-9430; fax (703) 525-1744. The staff's e-mail
addresses will remain the same.
HISTORIC USDA RESEARCH CENTER NAMED FOR HENRY A. WALLACE
A major historic USDA research center in Maryland was named last month for
Henry A. Wallace, former U.S. Vice President and Secretary of Agriculture.
The Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, part of the
Agricultural Research Service, is a 6,500-acre scientific facility that is
one of the largest agricultural research centers in the world. Speaking at
the ceremony were U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland; former Senator Dale
Bumpers of Arkansas; former Senator John Culver of Iowa; USDA Secretary Dan
Glickman; and Jean Wallace Douglas, Henry A. Wallace's daughter, Honorary
President of the former Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative
Agriculture, and long-time supporter of the Wallace Institute's work.
"Henry A. Wallace changed the face of American agriculture during his
career as a scientist and as Secretary of Agriculture," Secretary Glickman
said. "Wallace was committed to the idea that science is our best hope for
sustaining agriculture and preserving the environment."
The USDA , in its press release, described Wallace as "a corn geneticist,
an agricultural economist, and a vigorous advocate of soil conservation and
ecology. Considered by many one of the country's greatest Secretaries of
Agriculture, Wallace framed the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which
stabilized farm prices and promoted soil conservation, helping America's
farmers survive the Great Depression. Wallace believed scientific research
was the best way to advance agriculture and maintain the quality of soil
and the environment as a whole."
POSITIONS
The University of Saskatchewan seeks a Research Chair for Sustainable
Agriculture; inquiries should be directed to Prof. Richard Gray, Director,
Centre for Studies in Agriculture Law and the Environment, 51 Campus Dr.,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5A8; (306) 966-4026; grayr@duke.usask.ca.
Lincoln County Cooperative Extension/Washington State University Center
for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources seek a Dryland Farming
Systems Specialist; contact Dr. Edward B. Adams, Agriculture and Natural
Resources Program Leader, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Box B, Spokane, WA
99202-1662; (509) 358-7960; adamse@wsu.edu; on the Internet,
www.wsu.ed8080/~chr/2396.html.
Three Springs Gardens CSA seeks a gardener/member; contact Three Springs
Gardens, c/o Michelle Vesser, 59820 Italian Bar Rd., North Fork, CA 93643;
(559) 877-4845.
RESOURCES
"Soil Management Series" has five titles: Soil Management, Compaction,
Manure Management, Organic Matter, and Soil Biology and Soil Management, at
$3 each, $13 for full set, plus shipping; "Collaborative Marketing: A
Roadmap and Resource Guide for Farmers" is $4.75 plus shipping; order all
from University of Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center, 405
Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108; (800) 876-8636.
"LocalHarvest.com" is a Web site for farmers to connect with consumers
about farmers' markets and small farms in the United States; the site is
www.LocalHarvest.com; or contact Erin Barnett, Ocean Group, (831) 466-0700;
erinb@oceangroup.com.
"Grape ExpectationsA Food System Perspective on Redeveloping the Iowa
Grape Industry" is available from the Leopold Center for Sustainable
Agriculture, 209 Curtiss Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1050;
(515) 294-3711; or on the Internet at www.leopold.edu/grapes2000.html.
"Who Will Pay for Environmental Improvements in the 21st Century?" is
available from Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National
Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Blvd., Beltsville, MD 20705; (301)
504-6422; afsic@nal.usda.gov; or on the Internet,
www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/ResourceGuide.html.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 10-11, Second Annual National Symposium on the Future of American
Agriculture, sponsored by the University of Georgia, College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will be held in Athens, GA;
contact Georgia Center for Continuing Education, University of Georgia,
Athens, GA 30602-3603; (800) 884-1381 or (706) 542-2134; on the Internet,
www.gactr.uga.edu/conferences/index.html.
October 9-11, three separate conferences with crossover privileges will be
held in Des Moines, IA: First International Swine Housing Conference and
Exhibition, Second International Conference and Exhibition on Air Pollution
from Agricultural Operations, and Eighth International Symposium and
Exhibition on Animal, Agricultural and Food Processing Waste; contact
American Association of Agricultural Engineers/Society for Engineering
Professionals in Agricultural, Food and Biological Systems, 2950 Niles Rd.,
St. Joseph, MI 49085; (616) 429-0300.
October 19-20, "Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities for
Eco-labels and Eco-brands" will be held in Portland, OR; contact Theresa
Steig, The Food Alliance, (206) 524-5302; on the Internet,
www.thefoodalliance.org.
October 29-November 2, "Partnerships Among Land Grants and Nonprofits"
will be held in Glynwood Center, NY; contact Hal Hamilton, Taproot,
Learning Communities Project, P.O. Box 342, Hartland, VT 05048; (802)
436-2333; hhamilton@centerss.org; or Vicki Van Zee, (413) 587-9302;
vanzee@javanet.com; on the Internet, www.centerss.org.
November 9-10, "Land, People and Profits: Integrating Agriculture,
Communities and Economic Development," sponsored by the Northeast Training
and Support Network for Agricultural Development, will be held in Albany,
NY; contact Kathy Ruhf, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group,
(413) 323-4531; nesawg@smallfarm.org; or Roger Clapp, rclapp@together.net.
November 27-29, 16th Symposium of the International Farming Systems
Association and 4th Latin American Farming Systems Research and Extension
Symposium will be held in Santiago, Chile; contact IFSA/IESA, Casilla 228
Correo 22, Santiago, Chile; IFSA@rimisp2.cl; on the Internet,
www.rimisp.cl/ifsa_iesa2000.html.
November 30-December 1, "The Future of Our Food and Farms," a regional
summit for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware, will be held
in Philadelphia, PA; contact Meredith Stone, Farmers' Market Trust, 1201
Chestnut St., 4th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19107; (215) 568-0830;
fmtrust@libertynet.org.
December 5-8, First National Conference on Grazing Lands will be held in
Las Vegas, NV; contact John Peterson, NCGL Program Manager, 9304 Lundy Ct.,
Burke, VA 22015-3431; (703) 455-4387/6886; jwpeterson@erols.com; or Monti
Golla, NCGL Administrative Assistant, 101 S. Main St., Temple, TX 76501;
(254) 742-9947; Monti.Golla@tx.usda.gov.
* * *
Back issues of Alternative Agriculture News are archived at Sustainable
Farming Connection's Web site,
http//metalab.unc.edu/farming-connection/news/aanews/backmenu.htm. For
information on subscribing to the hardcopy version of this newsletter,
contact the Wallace Center, wallacecenter@winrock.org (full contact
information above), or visit our Web site, http://www.hawiaa.org/aanews.htm.
* * *
Henry A. Wallace Center for Agricultural & Environmental Policy at Winrock
International (formerly Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture)
9200 Edmonston Rd Ste 117
Greenbelt MD 20770-1551
E-mail: wallacecenter@winrock.org (for general inquiries)
Phone: 301-441-8777
Fax: 301-220-0164
Web site: www.hawiaa.org
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