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De Omnibus Dubitandum - Lux Veritas

Monday, March 23, 2015

Beyond ‘romance’ of organics: 6 ignored sustainable practices organic proponents should embrace

Steve Savage | March 16, 2015 | Genetic Literacy Project


Based on CalPIP Top 100 Acre and Pound Listings for 2012. Options approved for organic tend to be high use rate materials like sulfur, copper salts or parffinic oils – hence they represent 73% of total use based on pounds but only 17.8%of treated area. Those materials are used by both organic and conventional farmers.  We don't have good data on exactly how much is being applied in each system.Almost any farmer or consumer could agree on the following ideals for our agricultural system: “Farming in ways that are best for us, best for the environment, and best for providing an adequate food supply.”  I believe that these are the goals and ideals of organic customers and organic farmers, and I share them. If organic could deliver on these “triple best” goals, I would be among its strongest supporters, but I don’t believe that it can. The organic rules are based on the assumption that “natural” is always best. That assumption originated in a pre-scientific era, and it does not hold up to what we have learned over the last century. The “natural” definition is great for marketing purposes, but often not the optimal criterion to guide farming practices.....To Read More.....

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