[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << Many longtime organics advocates ... imagine massive mono-cropped fields with their own environmental problems, and fear being driven out of business because larger producers will be able to offer organic food at lower prices. ... However, Warren Weber, a pioneer of organic farming in California, says the latest developments are a sign that the movement has succeeded "beyond its wildest dreams." >>
I am inclined to agree with both Mr. Weber and the longtime advocates: there is the very real fear of being out-competed; however, at the same time, we are witnessing the "acknowledgment" by agribusiness of the "organic" model of production. Let's face it, the entire corporate/agribusiness food production system, as we know it, is being held aloft by a magic carpet of cheap petroleum. Corporate Farmer Brown climbs upon his fuel sucking steed to apply his fuel-dependent, oil-derived petro-pharmaceutical chemistry; the food is then shipped an average of 1200-1500 miles from field to table by way of clattering petroleum-driven pistons; and simultaneously the corporate factories churn out "semi-edible recreational fodder" on the backs of dinosaurs; and so on ... Turn the valve closed on the oil barrel and watch the entire contemporary complex start to crumble. The bigger they are ... While there is cheap petroleum available, local grown produce (BD, organic, or otherwise) cannot compete on a playing field dictated exclusively by PRICE. There are varying opinions, but the cheap stuff is anticipated to be history in about 10-20 years. Big Petrol, Big Auto, Big Biz, AgriBiz, etc., all will most certainly run the show until then. How do you compete? With their access to relatively "free" petroleum energy, years of market share and staggering profits, government bedfellows, and a firm grip on the media and advertising, we 'localists' are but a mere fly on the bull's arse! HOWEVER, when the oil well runs dry, ladies and gentlemen of farm and field (and if we humans are still around in an organized society of some sort), get your sunscreen 'cause with a little luck, it just might be your day in the sun. Maybe. At least we can hope for some kind of significant change ... But I don't see "The Have's" willingly giving up control of anything if it can be avoided. In my feeble estimation, without cheap energy, you can no longer ship product thousands of miles to consumers or operate from centralized production "hubs" profitably. Green peppers in the USA from Holland? You are joking, right? Without profit, can you say -- once again -- virtually everything "locally grown" (circa dawn-of-man to post industrial revolution). There may be new technology or perhaps a step back to something like coal and steam power, however, that may allow the powers-that-be to persist for another hundred years for all I know. Pure speculation. Until the Jolly Green Giant falls, stay the course. Keep up the BD, organic, and specialty direct marketing. We'll take the fight to 'em, one health-promoting dinner plate at a time. In other news ... It is not perfect, but grasp the reality of a recognized national organic standard -- by the USDA no less!! Just a few years ago, growing clean food was looked upon by some as a joke ... a passing elitist fad ... a waste of valuable soil resources ... a practice condemned due to alleged poor production -- a sure way to starve the masses! It is now recognized and is being implemented by the very agribiz industry that for years tried to kill it. In the immortal words of Dr. Frankenstein, "IT'S ALIVE!" Biodude
