Bishop's Homegrown Produce/Face Of The Earth Seed: Organic Seeds in the Era of Transgenes

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Organic Seeds in the Era of Transgenes

Came accross a fantastic site tonight with some wonderful audio including one by the name listed above and featuring none other than my friend Dr. Alan Kapuler as well as JJ Haapala, former Director of Research and Education for Oregon Tilth and former Project Administrator for the Farmer Cooperative Geneome Project.

If you want to understand the difficulties amateur plant breeders face in today's climate as well as the dillema between the "Green Revolution" mindset, PVP and breeders rights and the way agriculture has been taken over by big industry then this is for you. Luther Burbank is mentioned as well. Dig around the site, theres a lot more interesting and useful links to audio worth exploring, I just haven't made it that far yet.

http://www.tilthproducers.org/tilthaudio.htm

2 comments:

Patrick said...: I just listened to the recording of Dr. Kapuler. I've never heard his voice before, and was really impressed. He's a very dynamic speaker, with lots of interesting things to say.

Thanks for posting the link!; February 6, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Ottawa Gardener said...: Thanks for the link. I know someone whose just started a research project which takes into account these issues. I'll forward this to him.; February 8, 2010 at 9:48 AM

Things you should be aware of if visiting or touring Bishop's Homegrown.

As with any business property there are certain legal restrictions we must abide by to protect ourselves and you. This is for your information and is very important for you to read before visiting our farm.

1. Under Indiana law, an agritourism provider is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in agritourism activities at this location if the death or injury results from the inherent risks of agritourism activity.
Inherent risks of agritourism activities include risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death, or for other participants to act in a manner that may cause you injury or cause your death.
You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity.

2. We love children and understand the excitement children experience when exposed to open spaces and farm animals and we encourage visitors to bring their children. That said, please be a responsible parent and keep a close eye on your children and keep your children at your side at all time. There is to be absolutely no chasing of my animals (regardless of bare hands or baring sticks, stones, or any other instrument of livestock death and despair). Do not enter my enclosures without my express permission and accompanyment. While my animals are mostly calm and tame, go ahead and presume they are the meanest animals on the face of the earth and do not approach them without my consent.

3. Use your brain and dress and prepare appropriately for a farm tour. No open toed shoes

4. I love giving tours and talking and would never charge for information and often times I even give away products for people to try. That said, my time is important, if you feel it is appropriate and warranted I am not opposed to or above the charity of a donation for my time and knowledge, every bit of which you can guarantee will go back into the black hole that is agriculture on this farm. I generally tend to think of my time as being worth $10.00-20.00 an hour. It is not necessary to recompensate me for information gladly shared, but the sentiment is appreciated. This of course does not apply to customers who are purchasing from me or even just checking things out.

The Safe Seed Pledge.

We at Bishop's Homegrown/Face Of The Earth Seed have signed the Safe Seed Pledge which states the following:

"Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe
and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who
want an alternative,
We pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants.
The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families
or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that
genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is
necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support
agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately healthy
people and communities."

Alfred Reed Bishop and Doris William Butler

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Organic Seeds in the Era of Transgenes

2 comments: