We've farmed both conventionally and organically. Both systems own folly.
1. Re nutrients: As I stated previously:
"ALL farming takes nutrients from the land. The nutrients end up in your body" And yes, organics dedicates particular time, a lot of it, to soil building.
2. Re sustainability: I also said:
I agree with your statement:"organic farming has always been more of a food safety marketing strategy than a sustainability tool"
No argument from me.
But the deciding factor was prob the same thought Cott expressed:
"The manipulation of science by governments and corporations is very scary..."
Some farmers appear to be 100% confident in scientists and governments. Your choice.
Of course, every time farmers parallel farming systems, farmers become defensive of their own, and that's a natural reaction. I have said in the past, that very limited spot spraying could serve organics well. I've supported biotech research, as long as our food supplies do not reflect research-experimentation.
The good thing for an organic farmer, is we can actually become a conventional farmer overnight. One spray pass on the field is all it takes. We have an immediate option. And I know what I'm getting because I've been there and done that.
Organics also deal with different consumers. They are high income and educated. So I will concede I'm not particularly up to date informed about third world buyers.
For example I just checked on the Sask website, and the major world importing countries of world conventional lentils are: Spain, Colombia, Egypt,
Algeria, and Sri Lanka, France,
Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Yes, well. Pars
1. Re nutrients: As I stated previously:
"ALL farming takes nutrients from the land. The nutrients end up in your body" And yes, organics dedicates particular time, a lot of it, to soil building.
2. Re sustainability: I also said:
I agree with your statement:"organic farming has always been more of a food safety marketing strategy than a sustainability tool"
No argument from me.
But the deciding factor was prob the same thought Cott expressed:
"The manipulation of science by governments and corporations is very scary..."
Some farmers appear to be 100% confident in scientists and governments. Your choice.
Of course, every time farmers parallel farming systems, farmers become defensive of their own, and that's a natural reaction. I have said in the past, that very limited spot spraying could serve organics well. I've supported biotech research, as long as our food supplies do not reflect research-experimentation.
The good thing for an organic farmer, is we can actually become a conventional farmer overnight. One spray pass on the field is all it takes. We have an immediate option. And I know what I'm getting because I've been there and done that.
Organics also deal with different consumers. They are high income and educated. So I will concede I'm not particularly up to date informed about third world buyers.
For example I just checked on the Sask website, and the major world importing countries of world conventional lentils are: Spain, Colombia, Egypt,
Algeria, and Sri Lanka, France,
Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Yes, well. Pars
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