This last week, the organic growers and would-be growers made their annual migration to gather at Asilomar (near Monterey). We discussed everything from compost and organic best practices to humane animal husbandry and social networking.  There was a session on women writing about farming that was so packed full, we opened windows for the folks outside to listen in. The mood is always festive and warm, wisdom is shared and the best meals imaginable are served.

 However.....News that the USDA had approved the planting of genetically engineered alfalfa was greeted with a collective dismay and condemnation by the more than 1,000 attendees from 34 states at the Ecological Farming Association Conference, the largest organic farming conference on the West Coast. "We are appalled by this decision," said pioneering organic farmer Larry Jacobs, President of Jacobs Farm-Del Cabo. "This is a sad day for the future of sustainable agriculture."

 "Alfalfa is an essential feed for our dairy cows and provides the essential forage in the diet of organic cows," said Albert Strauss of Straus Family Creamery. "With the potential contamination of organic alfalfa, this could significantly harm the organic dairy industry."

Sustainable food systems advocate Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, agreed with farmers' concerns. "It's hard to understand why the Obama Administration would put the organic industry at risk for the sake of an unnecessary and soon-to-be obsolete product like Round-up Ready alfalfa. This is a bad solution to a problem that doesn't exist, since 93 percent of alfalfa hay is grown without any herbicide at all."

How does this happen? Well, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a former Monsanto attorney. And who is in charge of U.S. Food Safety?  Why by golly, it's Michael Taylor, former Monsanto attorney and Vice President.  It started with Bush, it's continuing with Obama. WRITE LETTERS, CALL THE WHITE HOUSE, SIGN PETITIONS - DO NOT GIVE UP.  Why not give up?  Well, how about these latest findings: 

• GM 2nd generation soy-fed hamsters had a 5-fold higher infant mortality rate
• GM soy-fed hamsters, by third generation had 100% sterile pups
• 800 GM food apps are in the works with even one EIR report!
• Pesticide use has doubled since 2005 on GM crops  
• Glyphosate (Round Up) may be killing the soil itself (see report in Grist.com) killing beneficial microbes, reducing nutrient uptake, & overall lower-than-expected plant productivity.

Join the movement to take back our food system from corporate interests: 

  

Millions Against Monsanto bumper stickers are available from

coordinator@ojaivalleygreencoalition.com. 

 Food Democracy Now is leading a campaign against this action.
 http://action.fooddemocracynow.org.  Please add a comment to petition.

 

Organic Consumers Association is another champion to support.