TroyBogdan@aol.com writes:
>
>
>---------------------
>Forwarded message:
>Subj: electronic tour
>Date: 94-11-17 09:06:26 EST
>>From: CRye
>To: TroyBogdan
>
>Troy,
>I read your posting in Alt.sustainable.agriculture and this especially
caught
>my attention:
>
>>I too value all of those things, and that is why I decided to become >an
>organic farmer. I would gladly encourage a trip to my farm to >see for
>yourself the "non-economic" values of an organic farm.
>
>Would you be willing to answer a variety of questions in the forum since you
>are on the front line and doing it? Questions I have in mind are:
> 1) What is the difference between organic farming and sustainable
>agriculture? The farmers I know who are advocates of sustainable
agriculture
>say they are not organic farmers.
In my opinion there is a big difference between organic farming and
sustainable farming. While both methods are better than conventional
farming,
in regards to environmental protection, the sustainable method still uses
some
conventional techniques (such as spraying herbicides or applying synthetic
fertilizers).
The organic approach is a much more restrictive way of farming. Practically
everything that is incorporated into the soil of an organic farm is 100%
natural. No synthetics are allowed, and even some natural ingredients (such
as Rotenone/Pyrethrin) are on the restricted list.
Another difference between the two is the fact that organic farmers must have
their farms and methods inspected at least once each year (and possibly more,
since one must be ready for surprise inspections at any time also) by a panel
of inspectors who will decide if you are doing all that you can to promote
the
health of the soil and prevent harm to the ecosystem.
> 2) How long have you been an organic farmer?
I have been farming now for three years (going into my fourth growing season
in 1995) and although that may seem like a short time, I feel very strongly
about the future of organic farming. I have expanded every year and still
have trouble meeting consumer demand. This upcoming season I will be
expanding to a total of 10 acres (Not bad for a one person business) and will
then be at the limits of my available land. I will be moving to an 80 acre
farm in three years (When my wife finishes college, and also because the land
that we will be taking over has been sprayed and needs three years before it
can be certified).
I am a beginning farmer, and I am also very humble about it. I know that I
have much to learn, and I am constantly striving to educate myself as much as
possible. I do plan on farming for the rest of my life, because I enjoy it,
and because I value that way of life. To me farming is a noble and proud way
of life.
> 3) Are you 100% organic as opposed to gradually switching from another
>method and maybe you are 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 of the way there.
I have always been 100% organic (I started out that way). To me, that is the
only way to go. And I think that it will be a necessity in the future, since
the government is now looking towards that direction, and has already taken
measures to reduce the amount of chemicals being sprayed on farmland.
> 4) What crops and livestock do you raise?
Right now, I am stricly a vegetable farmer. Some of the things I grow are:
Lettuce, peas, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, corn, potatoes, carrots, beans,
bok choy, turnips, chard, arugula, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, onions,
leeks, spinach, beets, cucumbers, etc. I also grow decorative crops such as
pumpkins, gourds and sunflowers.
I have no animals at this time, but in the future, my wife may take up an
interest in goats and chickens.
> 5) It seems to me that organic farming lends itself to being located where
>there is a population center (major city) nearby because it gives access to
a
>large number of people who are willing to make the trip to buy organically
>grown products. Is this true?
In my observations, yes this is true. I am strategically located near the
city of Pittsburgh and there is an abundance of farmer's markets, as well as
organic grocery stores available to me and my fellow organic farmers. In our
chapter of O.C.I.A., I see that those farmers located nearest to cities have
the most opportunity to sell directly to the consumers. Those in more rural
areas usually have to go through a wholesaler at a lower profit margin.
>
>My concerns with the discussion in the alt.sustainable.agriculture group was
>that it was talking philosophy and principles when I work on profit or loss.
> If someone wants to tell me how to farm then come on out here and take part
>of the debt load with me assume the same risks I do.
>
>Clayton Rye
>Hanlontown, IA
>
--- ******************************************************************** * Troy Bogdan - Bridgeville, PA * * tbogdan@envirolink.org * troybogdan@aol.com * ******************************************************************** * "Never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most * * important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts follow. * * The farmers therefore, are the founders of civilization." * * -David Webster- * ********************************************************************