Allan wrote: As heard on morning edition this a.m. (worth a listen!) -Allan
http://search.npr.org/cf/cmn/cmnpd01fm.cfm?PrgDate=01/03/2002&PrgID=3
I am not able to listen to the item, but going by John Ikerd spelt out the
dilemma very clearly at the National Organics Conference in Sydney.
I am seriously worried that without government intervention that makes the food
prices of conventional farms reflect the environmental and diminishing spiritual
quality of costs the organic movement won't be able to withstand the pull
towards becoming an organic 'industry', industry understood in its original
manufacturing sense.
I hear the arguments in the department that it is better for the environment to
make conventional growers using more organic methods than helping committed
existing organic and bd growers, i.e. those growers who are mostly part of the
organic movement. Because of our education having been focused on the
intellect, the people arguing the above are unable to perceive, let alone
understand, that thespiritual dimension of the organic movement will be lacking
in an organic industry and that an organic industry instead of conventional
industry might buy us environmentally more time, but in the long run won't make
a difference, because people's attitudes/world views haven't changed.
I think, I have met organic growers who are convinced and committed 'movement'
growers, growers who are confused about which way to go, because of the
financial pressures, and organic growers who have become 'industrialised'.
Perhaps it is a refelction of our psychological and consciousness differences.
... I stop here.
Christiane Jaeger
