Monsanto

[Hopperbin]

Have to agree with ado, lets take a look at the organic industry and if it is what is is. I say look at Hanmers organic facility in Nokomis they now farm well over 200 quarter sections and its just not enough they have to travel 100 miles to farm now, lets see if that came from selling conventional as organic. Testing testing and fine them if cause no one is looking. A local organic grower recently sold his farm at auction. All the land was certified organic and there was no organic growers present to bid or maybe they got outbid at 10 percent of land value which was well under opening bid. There is no value in organic small grains. Still need to be shown how.

[Hopperbin]

As far as I know Hanmers don't have any organic land yet they have an organic facility. Gotta connect a few dots here.

[Hopperbin]

Strange thing is Hanmers are paying 60 dollar rent next door to the organic land that sold for under 50,000 for a full quarter section. Dots dots.

[Hopperbin]

So if the organic industry is based on peoples perception and the fact that the 10,000 bushels come off of just 10 acres of organic land then some questions need to be asked. I don't think I am out of line by questioning the organic industry. Ask parsley is Hanmers outfit legit? Or are you staying out of it?

[Hopperbin]

I know parsley likes a good fight and she is honest and she likes a good fight and she is honest did I mention she likes a good fight :-)

[hedgehog]

i used to farm organically for 14 years, but i gave it up because i didnt have security of tenure to invest in fertlity crops, and the market collapsed after the 2008 crash.
Roundup has killed off the family farmer in the UK, as his husbandry skills have been replaced by min till guys hoovering up all the acres, who dont really understand the soil.

[grefer]

Hopper. I'm not familiar with the operation you are
questioning and I'm not sure if I totally understand
your posts but yes organic operations and
facilities do need to be and are questioned if
numbers don't add up. If this operation is cleaning
certified organic grain then it also has to be
certified as well. This means an inspection at least
once a year by an inspector who would check
their paper trail and plant to see if they were
complying to organic standards. Is there the
possibility of cheating in the system by a producer
or processor, IMHO yes, but what sector of ag or
business in general doesn't have those types. I
had a brother in law in commercial crime
department of RCMP and there are those types
everywhere. Also, being inspected does not
guarantee total compliance either but the
inspectors I have met ask lots of questions and do
as good of job as reasonably possible. The
organic industry doesn't live in a bubble so
consequently has to deal with the realalities of
chemical drift, cheaters in the system etc as best
as possible but at the same time trying to provide
an alternative to those farmers and consumers
who think there must be a better way to feed
ourselves.

[parsley]

Haven't checked this thread before this morning.
LOL.

[parsley]

There are a few things I like to address, hopper;
pettiness, and unfairness, first.

I find your accusatory comments, singling out the
Hamner family, as uncommonly discourteous,
blatantly unfair, and as gossipy as an old woman
who lacks teeth in both her mouth and
arguments.

I guest-lectured ag classes at the U of S in the
80's when Brad Hamner was a student. I only
know this b/c he sent me an email years later,
saying he had enjoyed my comments. That is the
fullness of my personal association with him. I
am not familiar with his farming practices.

Neither Brad, not his family deserve to be
derided publicly, by way if innuendo. No fatmer
does. Farming is much too difficlt to have other
farmers keen to grind you down. Competition is
good, but a continual viable supply of grain is
crucial field good export opportunities. Your grain
growing neighboring an essential part of your
bigger plan. You dont have to like him, but treat
him with respect

I really don't know if Brad, or the Hamner family
is/are an organic farmer, or whether their
operation is a combined wholeness, or each
family member maintains their own portion, nor
will I speculate, but I would suggest, hopper, if
you really want to know, or have concerns, first,
call Brad. That is what decency requires. I
understand, and am intimalely familiar with the
organic certification process and its' required
stringency, so I wIll not be doing so. Call him.
Parsley.

[parsley]

The other issue is about choice.

My choice is my choice. You may not like organic
farms. You may dislike eating the crops I grow.
You may have zero concern about pesticides. I
may choose to not buy apples sprayed with
insecticide. Choice spills into out personal lives,
as well. While you'd never buy the ugly blue
dress I wear, I wonder why you married the wife
you chose.

Organic farming, and organic crops are my
choice, and fill a market you absolutely cannot
service. Get over it.