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agriculture
October 2009 
How would you continue the first post you made in your blog?
Posted on Dec 29th, 2007
by 
Heartseed
Heartseed
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for December 29, 2007:
My first blog was the CEO of Walmart question, and re-reading it now, I have to say I still think it's a good answer. I was fairly thorough in addressing the issues, so I can say "no regrets, that's my answer".
One of my points, the need for more infrastructure to support organic production is being played out right now in the dairy farming arena, where the folks seeking organic feed are up against the biofuel trend that doesn't care about organic and is shifting prices in the corn/grain markets.
Legislation that affects agriculture, needs to be revisited for its current day relevancy, with an eye to better supporting the small to medium enterprises. As best I understand it, much of it is 50-100 years old and there still is a case on the books that could prevent folks from growing food for themselves because of its effect on interstate commerce. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickard_v._Filburn
I prefer an approach that would reverse the trend to homogenization and support the growing of diverse local heirloom varieties. The broader the native variety, the less risk from agricultural diseases, etc. More local self-suffiency may slow down - but won't stop- the trading which is fuel-dependant.
There'll always be a taste for someone else's version of stuff. France has over 200 locally made cheeses and probably even more wines - folks continue to trade and export.
In another related direction, I really want people to consider why do they have a lawn?, what does it do?, do they need pasture land for sheep, goats, or cattle in the suburbs?, why aren't they growing something more supportive there?, why are they spending money to pollute the waters with fertilizers just to have a green lawn? Why isn't there more attention to the use of (filtered?) grey water for home plant irrigation?
I have nothing against natural flower gardens or xeriscaped plantings, but this pervasive lawn culture to the best of my understanding, is more destructive than constructive.
Well, that's my continuation- looking for a more sustainable world in general.
One of my points, the need for more infrastructure to support organic production is being played out right now in the dairy farming arena, where the folks seeking organic feed are up against the biofuel trend that doesn't care about organic and is shifting prices in the corn/grain markets.
Legislation that affects agriculture, needs to be revisited for its current day relevancy, with an eye to better supporting the small to medium enterprises. As best I understand it, much of it is 50-100 years old and there still is a case on the books that could prevent folks from growing food for themselves because of its effect on interstate commerce. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickard_v._Filburn
I prefer an approach that would reverse the trend to homogenization and support the growing of diverse local heirloom varieties. The broader the native variety, the less risk from agricultural diseases, etc. More local self-suffiency may slow down - but won't stop- the trading which is fuel-dependant.
There'll always be a taste for someone else's version of stuff. France has over 200 locally made cheeses and probably even more wines - folks continue to trade and export.
In another related direction, I really want people to consider why do they have a lawn?, what does it do?, do they need pasture land for sheep, goats, or cattle in the suburbs?, why aren't they growing something more supportive there?, why are they spending money to pollute the waters with fertilizers just to have a green lawn? Why isn't there more attention to the use of (filtered?) grey water for home plant irrigation?
I have nothing against natural flower gardens or xeriscaped plantings, but this pervasive lawn culture to the best of my understanding, is more destructive than constructive.
Well, that's my continuation- looking for a more sustainable world in general.
Access: PublicTagged with: QaR, blogging, writing, posting, community, organic, xeriscape, Wickard v Filburn, agriculture, dairy feed, biofuel
