First of all, my message was not an accusation nor was it a request for
citations of the reams of pesticide publications that are seen in
journals each issue. My question about pesticide research was the
result of the following...
About 7 weeks ago I listened to a presentation by university researchers
who had performed some rather empirical analyses to determine the most
likely effects of pesticide reductions on crop yields. They chose the
reduction levels of 50% and 100%. T They did not
analyze data that included IPM nor other SARE research. I posted a
request to these lists (above) for pesticide reduction research that
might have been published in the more old-line journals. I do admit
that I should have availed myself of the National Agriculture Library;
however I was due to be out for several weeks and I felt that my request
was no more or less out of line than most of the other requests I
have seen posted to these lists.
Upon my return to my office I was surprised to find no response. With
the exception of materials graciously sent to me by the Northeast
SARE folks. Hence my second posting...the one to which many of you have
reacted. My question there was basically to determine whether or not
researchers were finding acceptance in journals of all stripes. I
realize there are journals that are specifically for alternative and
sustainable ag research. However, one of the situations sustainable ag
finds itself in is that it is not breaking into the conventional ranks
with great speed. I did not phrase my queries well, but then sometimes
that is a problem too with this electronic blackboard.
If I have offended anyone, I regret it. Again, to those of you
who have sent me messages via the Net...thank you.
Marc Safley
a16msafley@attmail.com