Amid the rejoicing across the country about Michelle Obama going forward and breaking ground on an organic garden at the White House to feed the First Family and their guests, one group has been, shall we say, less than pleased. Mid America CropLife Association, whose mission is: "To identify business issues relating to food production and to take action to address those issues identified as important to our membership," recently sent a letter to Mrs. Obama stating their concerns over an organic garden at the White House.
In part, the letter states that:
"As you go about planning and planting the White House garden, we respectfully encourage you to recognize the role conventional agriculture plays in the U.S in feeding the ever-increasing population, contributing to the U.S. economy and providing a safe and economical food supply. America's farmers understand crop protection technologies are supported by sound scientific research and innovation."
Despite that obvious fact that a small garden plot is not a huge, industrial farm (and definitely doesn't require the "crop protection technologies" with which Big Ag is so synonymous), what got me was the overall tone of the letter. It was very much a tone of "we're the experts here. Let us handle this whole growing food thing and you go off and do something else." I have a feeling it wouldn't sit well with most people, but as an organic gardener I find it both insulting and ridiculous.
But it gets better. Mid America CropLife didn't just send the letter to Mrs. Obama. No, they sent it to hundreds of people who they thought would be sympathetic to their views. Except that to these people, they included an additional note:
"Did you hear the news? The White House is planning to have an "organic" garden on the grounds to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the Obama's and their guests. While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made Janet Braun, CropLife Ambassador Coordinator and I shudder. As a result, we sent a letter encouraging them to consider using crop protection products and to recognize the importance of agriculture to the entire U.S. economy. Read below for the entire letter." {Emphasis mine.}
So, organic gardens make them shudder. I have the feeling they'll be shuddering a lot during the next few years. Organic gardening has reached a level of acceptance and, dare I say it, popularity, that it so wholeheartedly deserves. The First Lady taking the step of putting in an organic garden at what is not only the White House, but the people's house, rings not of some empty symbolic gesture, but of a sign that the tides are turning. Maybe if I were in the "crop protection technologies" business, I'd be shuddering, too.
You can see the full text of the letter at La Vida Locavore. I'd love to hear your opinions on this one!
Comments
I love seeing the big guys “shudder”. The thought that the Obama family should consider conventional crop protection is ludicrous.
I am especially insulted how the language of the letter seems to imply some sort of slight toward the American farmer by growing organically.
Great blog post.
“crop protection products”, you mean poisons? no, sorry, I am not using any crop protection on my home grown veggies. And the idea! to blame the tastlessness of store bought fruits and vegs on the consumers method of preparation! How insulting. Just makes me want to go out and make my garden even bigger.
You go Michele!!
Kelly— I like seeing the big guys shudder, too
I was very annoyed by that, too—it seemed like they were trying to manufacture an insult to farmers where there obviously was none. Thanks for commenting!
Terry—You and me both. I was amazed to read that part as well—blaming the consumer for the inherent tastelessness of what’s available in the market was definitely insulting. It does make one want to go out and do what you can to make them shudder a bit more, doesn’t it? Thanks for dropping by!
Great post and good sleuthing for finding it! DIdja see my Rant post today about the White House? I’d be honored if you participated in the campaign on Earth Day.
I shudder too at the implication that a “home” garden should use pesticides with small children running around, or anyone for that matter. Are they crazy? Since home gardeners can easily manage pests organically in their small gardens, there is no need for artificial crop assistance. While I agree that some larger farms are needed to support local communities, I wish Big Ag would get on board and spend those big bucks finding a way to transition into organic food production for the local masses instead of artificial means.
I’m tickled that the Obama’s are going organic for the whole country/world to see. We (the nation) will be privvy to the White House methods for organic weed and pest control. What better way to get the word out! I love that they are bucking BigAg and showing their care for people and our planet. Hooray for us all!! Peace, Donna
Susan–I saw it, and I’m with you, my friend! I’ll do whatever I can.
Cynthia–Wouldn’t that be nice. I don’t think it will happen, because they’re so entrenched in their current ideology, but it would be a beautiful thing. Thank you for commenting.
dvabulas–You and me both! It’s going to be fun to watch how this whole thing plays out. Thanks for stopping by!
“crop protection” now there’s a fancy word for spraying your food with things that can kill you. Thanks for posting.
HR875 and S425 are a BIG threat to organic growers of all sizes! In the guise of “protecting” our food supply, BigAg would have the power to force organic growers to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, going against everything that organic gardening stand for.This would even extend to “backyard organic growers! Please write your representatives!
HR 875 is a problem. It won’t likely go anywhere in its current state–too much ambiguity in the language. We definitely need to be contacting our Reps to ensure that small/organic farms are protected.
Ignorance is bliss I guess. I read where a lady who is a US Representative and also a wife of some high muckly duck with a Monsanto chemical giant wanted to introduce legislation that would outlaw organically grown garden products. (Maybe this is what you all are already talking about and I am late comeing to the table). How insulting it is to the American people that for hundreds of years Americans have been grownig organic gardens WITHOUT the help of the chemical giants. Just another case that if passed, the nanny-government taking over our daily lives. UGH! Can you think of nothing worse than some US Senator or Congressman(woman) coming into your garden with all their knowledge about raising taters!! Makes me sick again.
There has never been an intention to shut down organic farms, they fill a niche. But, organic farming could hardly feed an ever increasing population, family farms must use the most cost effective methods to keep their farms even when confronted with dropping prices for their commodities. Get real, on what an organic farm can feed.
@Pro Ag I hate to break it to you but it can feed an increasing population. Chemical pesticides and genetically engineered crops are not necessary. The earth provides everything we need as long as the land is respected. There is a cycle in agriculture which is no longer respected. These things led to the dust bowl and the extinction of species. When was the last time you respected the earth? The earth that sustains our life. Sustainable agriculture requires a little more effort but it is beyond worth it.