I echo Beth. Maybe one prong of the approach is to creatively imbue largely lost agricultural skills/know-how to more latent (part-time, small-scale, no-spray) farmers/gardeners. I'm no expert (on anything) but I've heard in many different forums that the U.S. and the broader world are populated less and less by people who consider themselves farmers, while overall population goes up.
I don't know how many agricultural ecologists/economists are on this listserv, but I'd be very interested to hear more opinions on our food future (present and past), especially with regards to how our production and distribution systems currently, and heavily, rely on petroleum-based transportation (and chemicals?) to achieve the astounding abundances we've achieved, and how that might go down the road. With skeptical respect - - Brian Chalfant -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:ecolo...@listserv.umd.edu] On Behalf Of Beth Buczynski Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 4:51 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] worlds authorities in sustainable ag/meat/ag ecology I would have to strongly disagree with the opinon that Monsanto or any biotech company cares at all about sustainable agriculture (meaning good for people, and able to be replicated again and again without harm to the environment). Those who are championing the return of small, local, organic farmers (think Michael Pollan, Joel Salatin, and others) are the true leaders when it comes to creating a sustainable food supply for future generations. Food for thought: "Biotechnology Will Feed the World" and Other Myths<http://www.vegsource.com/articles/gmo_feed_myth.htm> On Thu, Jun 24, 2010 at 4:24 PM, Paul Cherubini <mona...@saber.net> wrote: > I would say the big biotech companies are the world's leading > authorities with regard to the issue of how we can feed the world in > the coming decades. > > Example: > http://www.monsanto.com/responsibility/sustainable-ag/default.asp > > Excerpts: > > "By 2050, say United Nations' experts, our planet must double food > production to feed an anticipated population of 9.3 billion people." > > "By 2030, Monsanto commits to help farmers produce more and conserve > more by: Developing improved seeds that help farmers double yields > from 2000 levels for corn, soybeans, cotton, and spring-planted > canola, with a $10 million grant pledged to improve wheat and rice > yields." > > Paul Cherubini > El Dorado, Calif. > -- Beth Buczynski, M.S. Copywriter/Environmental Blogger www.seebethwrite.com www.ecosphericblog.com @ecosphericblog
