The quick answer is that yes they do use pesticides....just different ones. This, of course is obvious to the readers of this listserv, not so to your average consumer that believe organic=no spray. More needs to be done to reveal the realities of modern, corporatized, organic agriculture. In the latest issue of Slow Food there is an article on global organics and fair trade from a non-US perspective. It is a good article that I am (ahem) still digesting.
On a related note, there is great new blog I'd like to alert you to called (self-promotional drum roll, please) Organic Schmorganic: debunking the myth of organic in favor of local, ecological agriculture. www.organicschmorganic.blogspot.com. On the issue of what's local, John Mackey was quoted as saying local is 200 miles. I have, however, heard that others in the Whole Foods world are defining it as 700 miles (from NYC that extends to the tip of Maine, central Georgia, Chicago, or halfway across the Atlantic Ocean). I have not yet seen an actual printed policy by Whole Foods stating what their actual definition is. Mike Biltonen president, farmer, pomologist Blue Marble Farms, LLC Stone Ridge Orchard TM [845] 687-2587 (Office) [866] 288-2805 (FAX) http://organicschmorganic.blogspot.com/ -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Andre Tougas Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:46 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Apple-Crop: Re: Time article Great article, definitely worth reading, I'm happy with the author's conclusions, but I am still left with a lingering question, do organic producers use pesticides? According to the article "locally grown" is specifically defined (produced within 150-200 miles) but organic is not, even slanted to no pesticides used, "the California one had petroleum miles on it while the nonorganic one was grown with pesticides." I would like to hear peoples' opinions on this, does organic marketing and/or the media mislead consumers into thinking that organic means no pesticides ("its organic, so there are no bug sprays" according to a recent McDonalds radio spot unveiling their Newman's Own Organic Coffee)? I think that if consumers knew more about organic production than the point of this article would be tipped even more towards local grown. But don't get me wrong, as a U-Pick farm in Massachusetts, I think the article was great! Andre Tougas Tougas Farm Northboro, MA _________________________________________________________________ Find what you need at prices you’ll love. Compare products and save at MSN® Shopping. http://shopping.msn.com/default/shp/?ptnrid=37,ptnrdata=24102&tcode=T001MSN2 0A0701 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.8/716 - Release Date: 3/9/2007 6:53 PM -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.8/716 - Release Date: 3/9/2007 6:53 PM --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
