Pablito~
WHAT TECHNOLOGY MEANS IN CONVENTIONAL FARMING…
In the near future, conventional agriculture will be starting a big PR campaign to redefine the term “sustainable agriculture” to mean, in essence, “agriculture”.  Having lost ten or so years opposing the concept, they may have a few hurdles to overcome to establish credibility.  But last week, North Dakota’s legislature established a certification system for “Sustainable Agriculture” that includes many if not most practices already used by conventional growers in that state.  Iowa will be next.
 One the one hand, I understand their frustration.  I feel that urban Americans (and environmentalists in particular) tend to believe that most farmers are damaging the environment, while a small number are ecological heros.  I think the reality is that most farmers are pretty good stewards of the environment.  Unfortunately, instead of telling the public their story, for years they have taken a confrontational approach to environmental issues.

 On the other hand, this new initiative is clearly a cynical attempt to redefine the concept of sustainable agriculture.  Most farmers have adopted or are in the process of adopting technologies that reduce soil erosion and water consumption.  Most use some form of Integrated Pest Management, which simply put means monitoring for insects, spraying only when necessary, and using appropriate chemicals.  As a result, pesticide use is down overall (although it depends on the year and the weather) and many of the most harmful pesticides have been heavily restricted.  But when it comes right down to it, the conventional agriculture industry still doesn’t believe in informed consent.

 This attitude is summed up beautifully in a new ad for a new farming “tool”, a trademarked insecticide that targets hard-to-control vegetable pests like aphids.  I can’t print the name here, but I can tell you that the active ingredient is cis-3-(dimethyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo—1-azaspiro[4.5]-dec-3-en-4-yl-ethyl carbonate.
The ad features a graphic of a plant, with arrows running through every part of it.  On the other side of the page is a root system, again with the arrows.  The message is clear:  this chemical is absorbed by every part of the plant, and kills any insect that attacks its roots, leaves, stems or fruit.
 Conventional agriculture calls this type of chemical a “soft” material because it is not acutely toxic to humans — although it is toxic to fish and other aquatic life.  But a consumer might get a different message:  they will be eating this chemical whether it’s used on a root vegetable, leafy green, fruit, or any other crop it is used on.  There’s no way to wash the insecticide off the plant.  When the EPA approved this new product, how did they know what the effects of long-term consumption by humans would be?  Is it really sustainable for people to be eating this stuff?

AND WHAT IT MEANS IN ORGANIC FARMING.
There’s also a new insecticide available to organic farmers.  It’s called CYD-X, and it was created specifically for use on a single pest:  Codling Moth.  This proverbial “worm in the apple” is extremely difficult to control using existing organic methods, and can result in total crop failures.  CYD-X is a mixture of several viruses that affect only codling moth, no other insect much less wildlife or humans.  These were isolated by DNA research and testing, and are reproduced by high-tech fermentation methods.  Unlike other methods of organic caterpillar control, which are highly biodegradable and thus must be frequently reapplied, the viruses in CYD-X are contagious.  They spread from one generation of codling moth to another — there can be as many as six generations in a single growing season.  Theoretically, we can get the virus established in our orchard early in the season, and then only have to reapply it that year if population levels start to go up again.

 Anyone who reads this newsletter frequently knows that I believe that biological solutions like CYD-X are the future of agriculture.  Whereas the conventional chemical I discussed earlier are 21st century improvements on 20th century technology.  I dare anyone who considers what they do “sustainable agriculture” to advertise their crops as grown using chemicals that are absorbed by every cell of the plant.  And I am 100% sure that if you asked an average consumer, say at Walmart or Costco, which of the two insecticides I discussed here they considered more “sustainable”, they would choose CYD-X.

To me, sustainable agriculture means farming using only use methods you are proud to tell your consumers about.  Unfortunately, most farmers still think that what people don’t know won’t hurt them.

IN YOUR BOXES
The weekend heatwave has ripened up a lot of crops on our farm, and there’s a lot of great stuff in your boxes this week.  It was touch and go with the strawberries — 105 degrees two days in a row cooked thousands of berries in the field.  But there was enough shade out there to protect a few berries, and those are the ones in your boxes today.  Thankfully, the heatwave has mellowed, and we are optimistic that we can keep the strawberry field going for a few more weeks.

 Meanwhile, the 2009 cherry harvest has begun in earnest.  Unlike the strawberries, cherries like it hot — but 95 is better than 105.  We have several varieties of cherries lined up in various stages of ripeness; this week we are harvesting Tulare and Brooks.  If we don’t get any freak rainstorms, we expect the season to continue at least until June 1st.

 Joining the other fruit in your boxes this week are the first Peaches of 2009.  These are not the sweetest or richest flavored peaches you will ever eat.  Mostly what they have going for them is that they ripen so early, and that they do have that juiciness and fragrance that one expects a real peach to have.  We hope you enjoy them.

 The other main component of today’s boxes is a bounty of spring greens, their growth accelerated by hot weather.  All the greens in your boxes this week are more delicate than usual as a result.  I would recommend re-rinsing and spinning the salad mix dry when you get it, and then using it within a day or two.  The spinach will hold up a bit better, but you may find the size and texture more conducive to quick-cooking than to making a salad.

 Snap Peas in your boxes this week are smaller than usual due to the heat, and they have a more pronounced “string”.  But we tasted tested plenty of them and they are still sweet and tender.

Thanks,
     Pablito