I used to be a carpenter. When I became a farmer, I started learning what
prejudice is.The presumption that people's environmental and
social/community performance can be measured by their intent, is wrong.There
are "organic" land users out there who naively make mistakes with the
soil.The peristent negative presumptions about "conventional agriculture" ,
the constant repetition of half truths and outright lies about particular
issues have taught me about the mindset that allows a Holocaust to happen.
Farmers have much in common, whatever their personal version of a
production system is. One of the things they have in common is that
environmental exploitation starts with consumers who buy on price and
superficial appearance.When organic producers can let go of wanting to raise
their inequitable returns by contrasting their produce with conventional
produce on the basis of taste and nutrition, there is some hope that all
food producers can communicate to the broader community the need for higher
returns at the grower level.That would help make a sustaainable , non
exploitive foood(and fibre) producing system.
David Hine
David, Heather, and Matthew Hine
Atkins Rd, Cawongla
via Kyogle, NSW, Australia 2474
ph/fax: 61 066 337162.