Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
organic marketing specialist, explains, “In Mexico and other countries that
don't have an organic sticker community, they would be the most likely
to have fraud occurring because there is no one to be watching locally.
The common Mexican citizen couldn't care less whether the produce going
north of the border is really organic or not. Why should they? They are
looking at us as having way too much money and using way too many
resources. They just don't have incentives as far as I can tell, whereas in
the United States the local people are watching. There have been incidents
where organic growers have been turned in because somebody thought they
were spraying a prohibited material or that they were cultivating land that
was not properly certified.”On the other hand, in the United States, “I think
you are more likely to find minimal adherence to standards. The organic
movement originally started as something ideological where people were
always trying to improve and drive to a higher level. I think as it gets more
commercialized you will see the opposite happen. People are saying, 'What
can I get away with in terms of minimal adherence?What is the least amount
of compost I can put on? Or the least amount of cover crop I need to grow?' ”
[173],
(24)
Lines: 418 to 426
———
0.0pt PgVar
———
Normal Page
PgEnds: T
E
X
Government
In addition to specific organic policies, agricultural policies in general affect
organic farmers. Whether they participate in federal agricultural subsidy
programs or not, these organic farmers voice clear opinions about federal
agricultural policies. Cliff explains that “tax dollars go to agriculture, so food
prices stay low. If you stop subsidies, then you should provide a minimum
price per bushel so farmers can make a living. Everyone else in America has
a minimum wage. Farmers need a minimum wage or minimum price per
bushel. Farmers need that security.”
Joel calls it the “Farmer Welfare Program.” But he admits that he par-
ticipates with some crops to please his landlord: “Yes, but we won't change
our practices for the farm program. If the farm program will fit into what
we are doing, then fine. I am not going to put in all of these corn acres
just to get my money. We are still able to qualify the small grains, so that is
what we are doing.” But Joel realizes, “I am a hypocrite. I bad mouth it and
then stick my hand out for the check. None of my decisions are going to
be based on what farm programs there are. I look at it as a bonus, I guess.
So, if it is there, fine.” Joel continues to point out the irony: “I have done all
of this environmental stuff on my own without any government help. Like
putting buffer strips next to my creek. I put in an alfalfa and grass mix so
I can hay it a couple of times. I have done a contour and I have done strip
contouring and then I have done a Christmas tree creek bank stabilization
[173],
(24)
