tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post5999266402964991734..comments2023-10-17T04:51:08.765-10:00Comments on KauaiEclectic: Musings: On Water, Egos and FoodJoan Conrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-40837994189971577882016-07-20T10:12:16.678-10:002016-07-20T10:12:16.678-10:00http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/09/no...http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/09/no-gmos-didnt-create-indias-farmer-suicide-problem<br />When you rely on Bt, ole Mother Nature will catch up pretty quickly with resistance. Mono-cropping makes for much greater pest numbers. <br /><br />Farmers that rely on these "marketing programs" have forgotten how to manage and work with nature. See a weed..blast it, see a bug...kill da buggah. Patented seeds that come with patented poisons. It's all a marketing strategy by our good friends Ole Farmers Dupont, Dow, Syngenta, BASF (the Chemical Company), and Monsanto. <br /><br />"Feed the world - let 'em eat Corn" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-73789082974660051682016-07-20T07:03:32.755-10:002016-07-20T07:03:32.755-10:00Dear 6:28,
I'm glad you love farmers, and you...Dear 6:28,<br /><br />I'm glad you love farmers, and you obviously have your own point of view. I agree that cotton is a chemical-intensive crop. But I beg to differ with some of your assertions. Also, your link doesn't speak at all to rates of pesticide use. It merely identifies pest control products.<br /><br />I conducted numerous interviews with GM cotton farmers in India, and they all reported that they have been able to significantly reduce their use of pesticides by growing GM cotton. Note I said REDUCE and not eliminate. The same is true of farmers growing Bt corn and Bt eggplant. <br /><br />Why do you think farmers are adopting these crops if there's no advantage? Over and over farmers told me they are spending less on pesticides and achieving more yield due to less pest damage, all of which translates into better profits. <br /><br />The issue of herbicide-tolerant weeds predates GM crops, so you can't blame it all on Roundup Ready. But even so, farmers have told me that they're applying fewer products with the RR and Bt crops. I recently printed information about how farmers growing RR sugar beets use fewer pesticides and herbicides.<br /><br />Overall, federal studies show that while the use of herbicides has increased with the use of GM commodity crops, the use of insecticides has gone down. And in the overall scheme of things, herbicides tend to be less harmful than insecticides.Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-5187700421896993242016-07-20T06:28:20.076-10:002016-07-20T06:28:20.076-10:00My family comes from cotton farming. My dad, grand...My family comes from cotton farming. My dad, grandad, and uncles operated cotton gins. Still have one cousin that farms cotton. Those who stuck with it generally have a host of health issues. <br /><br />Joan, you could not be more incorrect about cotton farming if you think that GMO cotton has helped reduce the use of herbicides and pesticides. GMO Cotton is one of THE MOST chemically bombarded crops on the planet. RoundUP Ready crops require more applications of stronger herbicides due to acquired resistance in most weed species. Pre-emergent, post-emergent, and growing season herbicides, fungicides, pesticides are applied liberally. Then it is blasted with "harvest aids" aka defoliants to drop the leaves. Crop dusters are the favored method of application for some of these products.<br /><br />Joan, here is a link that may wither your rosy misconception and repeated ignorance about GMO using less pesticides. http://www.fmccrop.com/grower/Crops/Cotton.aspx<br /><br />I am a farmer and I love all farmers. Period. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-11138896612867024542016-07-19T23:20:52.164-10:002016-07-19T23:20:52.164-10:005:06's comment was as cool as the moon tonight...<br />5:06's comment was as cool as the moon tonight. And it was red when it rose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-78940705586213083122016-07-19T19:45:48.405-10:002016-07-19T19:45:48.405-10:00It took longer for us to get electricity and runni...It took longer for us to get electricity and running water.<br /><br />MRE's was nasty and Red Cross would come around and provide 1 hot meal for about a month. <br /><br />Yukimura screwed the people over big time and regressed the island of Kauai with her ill advised decisions or lack there of.<br /><br />Plenty babies were made and a lot of people sold their houses and left.<br /><br />Over 6-8 hours to go to town and back. Food, water, ice, gas and other things were rationed.<br /><br />They opened some haul cane roads to travel on so we could get into town and back home because all the telephone poles fell on the highways.<br /><br />Ron Wiley was the voice everyone listened to and Joann would try to temper people's frustrations over the radio.<br /><br />Plenty mosquitoes and a lot of cleaning and rebuilding. Sanchez and Keapana pig farms gave away a lot of free pigs.<br /><br />Neighbors worked and helped each other and people showed their true aloha by selling $100 cases of juice that was bought for $8 prior to being hit by the hurricane.<br /><br />It was a learning experience and I hope our dept heads are better prepared than they were when iniki hit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-90898605775277617642016-07-19T13:15:46.120-10:002016-07-19T13:15:46.120-10:005:13 p.m. July 18th. Congratulations to being an ...5:13 p.m. July 18th. Congratulations to being an OG, it's not easy dealing with the documentation. <br /><br />Here's some food for thought to you and the general public. when you go to the farmers' market, just show everyone your USDA organic label. that should prove you're doing it right (in your own market's eyes). <br /><br />if you can't place this label on your product, then you're not totally organic certified / totally organic. Organic certification is as you said, documentation / documentation.<br /><br />when the general public goes to the farmer's market, and the vendor / farmer tells the buyer "this is organic," (buyer) ask the farmer / vendor to see their circle usda seal. <br /><br />If you're organic, show the seal. if no seal, you not totally organic. so don't promote yourself as such. <br /><br />So, here's my concern of all this labeling BS. Organic products have a "LABEL" on their product. why does the other industry have to label their product. that means both conventional crops and organic crops are labeled. <br /><br />My opinion is; usda has a label for one product which is / was the industry with less producers (organic). this thought process should have been ok. no circle, means it's the conventional crop. <br /><br />Congratulations 5:13 p.m.! Wear your label proud. Get the price to maximize your output. But don't bad mouth the other industry just to promote yours. <br /><br />This BS is what Joan's trying to tell all of us. there's conventional and organic. pick what ever products you want. that's your choice. BUT! Respect the other person's choice.<br /><br />Good information on the pride you take in raising your crop / soil caring, remember the statistical data. Nationally, organic crops / products had XXX amount of the total market share. Conventional crops / products has XXX amount of the total market shares. <br /><br />Majority of the population really don't care about the grower's farming practices are. After all 1% - 2% of the population feeds 98% - 99% of the population. All they (99%ers) know is when it's time to eat. <br /><br />What's my point! I'm kind of echoing 10:19, 11:27 and Joan's 5:15 post in my own way, with my own spin on what data I know and what logic I use in life. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-30079242205839472852016-07-19T12:34:43.464-10:002016-07-19T12:34:43.464-10:00loved the song, 4:17. thanks for the link. And wit...loved the song, 4:17. thanks for the link. And with the GMO cotton, farmers can control the boll weevil and increase yields while reducing pesticide use. Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-65242486357625432912016-07-19T12:22:04.399-10:002016-07-19T12:22:04.399-10:00oh, I see what happened. 10:31 was a reply to my c...oh, I see what happened. 10:31 was a reply to my comment this morning so it shows up there in the mobile feed, not in chronological order. Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-9422822073422023802016-07-19T12:17:34.820-10:002016-07-19T12:17:34.820-10:00Guess old 11:27 hasn't been around that long a...Guess old 11:27 hasn't been around that long and has missed out on the shipping strikes that have disrupted food supplies to Hawaii. <br /><br />Of course, not shopping locally hurts the local economy. that is unless you would like to see ZERO farms here. Just keep browsing your way through Safeway and Foodland...you know, those big square energy sucking caves where food comes from...and relish in your choice of personal preferences.<br /><br />As to the hurricanes, it took Kaua'i almost two months to fully restore electricity after Iniki. Iwa less than a month. Food storage was in itself a problem due to lack of refrigeration. Local livestock producers and some crop farmers filled in important gaps in our food supply. Neighbor island growers also were an important source of fresh food during the hurricanes. It takes about 50-60 days to grow most vegetable crops, longer for roots and starches. Most of us survived on REM's. Remember it quite well. YUCK.<br /><br />Man does not live (well) by rice and canned foods alone. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-10745233074685812202016-07-19T12:15:19.400-10:002016-07-19T12:15:19.400-10:00There was no 10:31 comment. I can only assume 11:3...There was no 10:31 comment. I can only assume 11:35 made a -- gasp -- error, 11:54. Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-74913800970115901102016-07-19T11:54:43.620-10:002016-07-19T11:54:43.620-10:00Joan you have to approve 10:31 before 11:35 'a...Joan you have to approve 10:31 before 11:35 'anonymous' can reply ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-72140146888373597922016-07-19T11:35:53.251-10:002016-07-19T11:35:53.251-10:00Perhaps the willingness to pay more for for Lindt ...Perhaps the willingness to pay more for for Lindt chocolate centers on conspicuous consumption, 10:31? There's more than enough of that in many product categories from food to homes flooding in to these islands in the last two decades. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-4124828040645240802016-07-19T11:27:54.301-10:002016-07-19T11:27:54.301-10:00@10:18 AM
I read no material reasons from you why...@10:18 AM<br /><br />I read no material reasons from you why I should buy locally at higher expense all for this vague unfounded ideal of food sustainability. <br /><br />The few, not "many", times hurricanes have hit us only stopped shipping for a couples days at most and food was easily air-freighted in for that short period. Plus, the hurricanes devastated local crops. You'd know that if you were here during them. And after the devastation, it took a long time to grow things again from scratch. Thanks to imported mainland food we didn't starve.<br /><br />Buying imported food takes no money from the pocket of a local farmer as that money never was in their pocket to begin with. DUH! And what the heck has any local farmer done for me anyway...ever? Just because they grow food doesn't mean I need to financially support them; directly or by way of my taxes.<br /><br />The fact that we're thousands of miles away from the mainland was only valid during the days of sailing ships and horse carts. Ever heard of modern transportation?<br /><br />All of your reasons are false, 10:18 AM, and only serve your feel-good emotions; not logic or fact. <br /><br />Imported foods have less nutrition because they're picked early? All foods? Bullshit! Some maybe but that certainly hasn't effected anyone's health and is probably offset by the large size of imported fruit and vegetables. Another personal preference you wish to sell as a societal necessity. Crap!<br /><br />I could care less how you wish to spend your money, but don't make up false or immaterial reasons to try and force me into buying local produce. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-39813714026652199362016-07-19T10:31:12.135-10:002016-07-19T10:31:12.135-10:00To some the difference between a Hershey's cho...To some the difference between a Hershey's chocolate bar and Lindt chocolate may be negligible but for some reason people are still willing to pay more for Lindt chocolate despite Hershey's marketing hypeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-72255530789746719932016-07-19T10:19:41.737-10:002016-07-19T10:19:41.737-10:00https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-office...https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program<br />“The National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. We are responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards. Our regulations do not address food safety or nutrition.”<br /><br />No farming system is superior. All farming systems share the same science and many of the same practices, only some tools are different. The USDA Organic program is not scientifically based, but is part of the USDA Agricultural Marketing System. We are fortunate to have choices, but don’t turn your choice into a false sense of superiority due to it being fashionable. Let’s make it fashionable to respect all farmers for what they do for us every day and understand the similarities instead of creating false divides based on ignorance and mis-information. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-91845792697712126142016-07-19T10:18:59.366-10:002016-07-19T10:18:59.366-10:00Because every banana, avocado, mango, etc. importe...Because every banana, avocado, mango, etc. imported into Hawaii where we grow the same crops and even better varieties, takes a coin out of the pocket of our farmers, our neighbors. Some day, that ship will not come in (as has happened many times in our not too distant past), and we will all regret that we did not support the local grower. Peak oil? How about food security on an island that is extremely isolated by thousands of miles of ocean? Not to mention the loss of nutrition and viability of a fruit that is picked too green to develop full nutrient value and then shipped in refrigerated containers to further lose storage value and food value. <br />As to any reference to a smug self-righteous farmer, that definition is as oxy-moronic as they come. Any farmer who makes a living from the land, doesn't have time to be self-righteous or smug. All the farmers I have ever met or been akin to were humble, pono, and salt-of-the earth. Farming is hard work, whether conventional or organic, and lucky you, who does not want to eat organic. You have that choice because organic is labeled!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-61873620273120096112016-07-19T10:15:56.473-10:002016-07-19T10:15:56.473-10:00I did not post that comment though I agree when po...I did not post that comment though I agree when possible we should buy local for many reasons including having that money circulate a little more here on Kauai doing good things like maybe supporting Hawaii Children's Theater for example<br />Also we are on the most isolated islands in the world so self-sustainability is a good thing Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-1161184189252597372016-07-19T08:46:40.933-10:002016-07-19T08:46:40.933-10:00@ 5:13 PM who said, "What is not sustainable ...@ 5:13 PM who said, "What is not sustainable on this island is buying bananas - organic or conventional- that were grown in Ecuador and shipped in...even though the price tag may be cheaper?"<br /><br />Why is it not sustainable? Are you still basing that on the old and outdated "peak oil" model? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-34638798272175305202016-07-19T07:29:29.485-10:002016-07-19T07:29:29.485-10:00I echo Joan's thoughtful and valid response ab...I echo Joan's thoughtful and valid response above to the out-of-context question from 6:25 PM.<br /><br />After working hard for decades to support myself and my family, and get myself educated, I am finally financially stable enough to afford to choose whatever foods I want to eat .....and "organic" is not on my list of criteria, for those reasons.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-76791031091199360802016-07-19T05:15:18.279-10:002016-07-19T05:15:18.279-10:00@6:25 Given the definition of negligible — "s...@6:25 Given the definition of negligible — "so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering; insignificant" — my answer is no. Furthermore, many organic foods also contain negligible amounts of pesticides. So it's not like you're getting zero, anyway.<br /><br />I used to buy everything organic, except John Wooten's veggies, which aren't certified organic. I ate that way for about 20 years. But once I started learning about the marketing tactics and political actions of the organics/anti-GMO industry, I grew weary of the smug self-righteousness. Nowadays I buy whatever looks freshest and tastiest, at the best price. And for whatever reason, I've never been healthier.<br /><br />I support all farming. Farmers, like consumers, should have a choice. But I don't like tactics that try to portray organic as holy and conventional as evil. Organic has its own environmental harms and human health risks. And as it becomes more popular and lucrative, it's being produced on the same "industrial" scale that many of its supporters decry in conventional ag.<br /><br />To me, the issue isn't organics vs conventional, it's healthy, fresh, whole food vs highly processed food. There's a lot of organic junk food out there that's no better than its conventional counterpart. It's also about ensuring that food remains affordable so the world's expanding population can eat. Organic will never be efficient enough to meet that demand.Joan Conrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-36415936075352340102016-07-18T18:25:41.101-10:002016-07-18T18:25:41.101-10:00Joan, given the choice, wouldn't you prefer to...Joan, given the choice, wouldn't you prefer to ingest zero versus 'negligible amounts' of pesticides each meal you consume?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-85590463873489391662016-07-18T17:13:21.481-10:002016-07-18T17:13:21.481-10:00As an organic farmer here on Kaua'i for over 3...As an organic farmer here on Kaua'i for over 30 years, I can tell you that the price of certified organic produce from local Kaua'i farms is NOT 10% to 40% higher than conventional. We compete with conventional Kaua'i farmers in our marketing every day. As to Costco offering more organic options, the Kirkland OG corn chips are amazing and LESS EXPENSIVE than most of their non-OG options. The organic coffee and other goods also compete. <br />Across the mainland, farmers are being paid to convert to OG due to demand. (07/14/2016 NY Times by Stephanie Strom) Guess what? People want Organic and it is quickly becoming mainstream and is quickly becoming more affordable. <br />What is not sustainable on this island is buying bananas - organic or conventional- that were grown in Ecuador and shipped in...even though the price tag may be cheaper? <br />There is a lot of ragging about organics in this blog by people who have very little to zero knowledge of the USDA National Organic Program. As to organic pesticides being toxic or more toxic, the use of the majority of OG-approved pesticides is only allowed after management practices are unsuccessful. This must be documented prior to the use of inputs for weed, disease, and insect control. Comparing mono-crop farming to bio-diverse farming will always see biodiversity and agro-ecology come out on top in terms of health of the soil, waterways, wildlife, farmworkers, and ecosystems. There was a recent reference to the use of manure in OG farming (which, by the way, is a common practice in conventional systems that may raise livestock). For OG, manure must be composted and temperatures recorded prior to application to food crops UNLESS there is a 120 day withhold for crops where the edible portion is in contact with the ground and 90 days for orchard or similar crops where the the crop does not touch the ground. The vast majority of OG farmers prefer to compost manure because this process produces a product that is biologically alive with beneficial microorganisms that fight diseases as well as nutrients that are long-lasting and complete. Disease pathogens in composted manure have been destroyed due to the high temperatures in the composting process (131 - 160 degrees F).<br />Our family manages 10 acres organically and our main methods of maintaining crop health and plant nutrition are based on essential microbials (EM), indigenous microorganisms (IM), composting according to NOP standards, mulching for weeds, crop rotation, inter-cropping, and planting companion plants that attract pollinators and insects that prey on pest insects. OG farmers are extremely scientific in their methods and certified organic farmers are some of the best record keepers in agriculture. They are inspected annually. In addition, each certifying entity must have an expert staff of reviewers and inspectors that also must be trained annually. Each certifier is extensively audited annually by the USDA. 7CFR Part 205 is a labeling law that is consumer driven to make the OG label conform to standards set by USDA. The whole process ain't run by uneducated hippies or yuppies or any such.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-19315917734542044432016-07-18T17:06:05.205-10:002016-07-18T17:06:05.205-10:00Civil beat, shriveled meat.It's an organ waiti...Civil beat, shriveled meat.It's an organ waiting to be dispatched to the electron vacuum of vaporous reporting. A place for Hooserian proctological proclamations and CFS rants and grunts engineered by the Kimbrell gnomes. All we want is a selection of good people to guide the Department of Water. No one is trying to impanel a College of Cardinals here, so (using the favorite word of JY) Sainthood is not a required attribute- a smart, hard working, cooperative and knowledgeable person is needed. Beth is all of that. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-21195979407114006622016-07-18T16:17:43.277-10:002016-07-18T16:17:43.277-10:00In the olden days. The days of idyllic little farm...In the olden days. The days of idyllic little farms, gardens, a few cows and chickens when the kids helped with the milking and y'all worked till the hay was in were great.<br />Except most of these farms were sandwiched between little towns and they sprayed great gobs of horrendous poisons. Herbicdes that were part of every farm town in the country. Poisons have been used for centuries.<br />Now that the the small farms are gone there are less herbicides being applied. <br />Just like the old days on Kauai, many Camps spread out over the fields.<br />Better living thru Chemistry. <br />Maybe the most destructive pest in all of Ag's history was the Boll Weevel. Destroyed thousands of lives...maybe millions. <br />That ol' Boll Weevel just gotta have a home.<br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5H6iwQGWl4Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-65874070262307965912016-07-18T14:50:30.520-10:002016-07-18T14:50:30.520-10:00Reminder to all:
As verified by the State Departm...Reminder to all:<br />As verified by the State Department of Health, Kauai has no drinking water or surface water quality problems related to pesticides.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com