Letter to the Editor
In Wednesday Food Section of the LA Times Entitled "Organic" isn't the be all by Russ Parsons, he basically states that " But more important, I've tasted the fruit that comes from them. Because if there's one thing I've learned in more then 20 years of covering farming, it's that you cant fake flavor. You can fudge on almost everything else, but really delicious fruits and vegetables come only from talented, careful farmers doing their best work. And thats true regardless of the label thats attached."well I have a few things to say about that.
You mention a local farmer that doesn't grow organically and states why in his info sheet he passes out to his customers. I wonder a few things out loud: I wonder if he states on his "info" sheet what chemicals he does use? What pesticides and what fertilizers he uses? Let his customers know that and let them decide. The farmer mentions his reasons why he is not organic; poor soil (gee, maybe I should tell him about compost) and that he requires help from fertilizers (organic fertilizers are just as good if not better because they dont pollute the environment). He also states that "he has a preference for minimal sprayings of chemical pesticides rather then what he believes would be more frequent use of weaker(?) organically approved pesticides?"
Before I go any further, I would like to state a few things... IF you do not take proper care of the soil, ie amend the soil with rock dust for minerals, with compost for the bacteria, then no amount of organic pesticides or organic fertilizers will work.. simple really.
I believe the real problem here is the cost of being certified organic and this farmer doesn't want to pay that. I can understand that and that is why many farmers are opting to not being certified but they are still growing 100% organically, just calling themselves natural instead. This farmer is using that as an excuse to stay with his pesticides and chemical fertilizers which is very obvious to me.
In reference to the writers assertion that taste is the most important (?) is missing a few things..
a. yes taste can be done by both types of farming but usually the organic tastes better 9 out of 10 times. Try this for yourself.. ask a group of folks to do the blindfold taste test. between organically grown and regular chemically grown produce (fruits and vegetables) and you will see the results. Try it. (p.s this works assuming your taste buds are still working)
b. to me what chemicals such as what pesticides are being used is very important not only to myself but to the children that are eating it. I wonder what that farmers doctor what have to say about his health and his families health as well as the animals that live there (animals are effected too) and I would love to test his soil and the environment for these chemicals.
c. the writer states that being environmentally responsible doesn't require one to be completely organic". Please explain how using chemicals that are known to pollute everything it touches as being environmentally responsible?
d. the writer states "certainly, there is a problem with chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers when they are used incorrectly. But it's quite a leap to suggest that because something is harmful when misused, it mustn't be used at all". Ok I'm leaping... True I would hope that farmers know how to use these things but the truth be told is that they have abused and have shown over and over again that they will continue doing so to make a profit and that no pesticide, etc even in some amounts is safe if used over long periods of time. I am tired of chemical companies saying something is safe only to find out later that it is not and has to be banned (DDT anyone?). I choose to grow naturally rather then to make a buck now and let my children work it out later.
e. why are you saying that "you can be a bad farrmer growing organically and be a good farmer and still use chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers". I'd rather be a bad farmer and grow orgaincaly (I can learn to do better) then a good(?) famer using the chemicals. A good farmer does not pollute the earth.
Heres the bottom line.
Sir please stop insulting me by saying that everything is fine and that it doesn't make any difference how my food is grown as long as it tastes good? I hope that you do not get sick later on in life from the tasty food you love so much. I also wonder which chemical company is paying you to confuse the public?
Andrew Lopez
Invisible Gardener
P.S. I too have written many books (over 10), I have been an organic professional since 1972. If taste is what trumps everything for you, then you would go nuts over my fruits and vegetables!
