I think SANET needs to change. A couple of ideas -- create two or
maybe three lightly moderated lists, one limited to posts with substantive
farming systems, research results, production problem content that have
little or no philosphoical or idealogical content (this is what most people
who leve SANET say they miss, or never found on the list). Another list
would be for philosphical ramblings, opinions, blowing of steam and the
like. Possibly a third list could be for announcements -- meetings, jobs,
newsletters, etc.
People could then choose to subscribe to one or all three; another
approach other lists have done is to put out a daily or weekly digest of
postings, which people could scan, and if something seems of interest, they
could go get it.
In the ramblings category would be this personal observation --
today, there is tremendous progress and activity across America in the
design and refinement of sustainable systems and an explosion in the
scientific exploration of what makes biologically based production systems
work, but increasingly little of that progress seems to be making it onto
this list. At the same time, social tensions and disenfrancisement in rural
communites, the farming sector and in the food industry in general seems to
be growing more acute, and SANET does seem to be picking up its fair share
of discussion on some of these developments. And a last obsevration, in the
fascinating chat rooms on crop production and scouting on @gOnline
(Successul Farming's web site, the most heavily used ag web site,
www.agriculture.com), the average posting from farmers on production issues
is about 3 to 5 lines, and most deal with seed/chemical inputs, and related
management issues/challenges.
If the SANET membership agree change is needed, and Andy and NAL
agree to take it on, I will help in any way I can.
Charles Benbrook 202-546-5089 (voice)
Benbrook Consulting Services 202-546-5028 (fax)
409 First Street S.E. benbrook@hillnet.com [e-mail]
Washington, D.C. 20003