Cotton chemicals and environmental impact

Elgin Freeman (efreeman@surfsouth.com)
Fri, 13 Dec 1996 23:20:31 -0500

About ten years ago we rented our farm to this guy who planted cotton on
every acre. We unmindfully did it again the second year. Then after
realizing we no longer had any butterflies and fewer birds we stopped the
cotton planting. The chemicals even killed the spanish moss that had hung
in our trees forever. It has taken about ten years for things to return to
normal again. Or maybe only perceived normality.

The purpose of this post is to locate facts regarding the environmental
effects of cotton production. The impact on whole local ecosystem is what
I'm interested in.
How do the chemicals used in cotton production impact wildlife and our
water? What effect do these chemicals have on people living near cotton
fields.

Any suggestions, ideas, advice, comments, whatever will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Elgin Freeman