Comments on: organic farming versus climate change?

By: paula

paula — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:47:49 +0000

This debate is beginning to cause concern within the organic movement too. But it’s not just the UK that has to be willing to change, it’s the European Union. Interestingly I was talking to Keith Datchler, winner of the 2007 Future of Farming Award, on Friday, who experienced the same difficulty with rhododendron invasion. To get round the problem he re-drew his woodlands organic boundary - omitting all areas needing treatment - treated and put them back into organic conversion. Not, unfortunately, something I can do with rush infestation on grazing and cutting meadows.

Meanwhile I’ll keep on lobbying, maybe with effect. If not I’ll most probably come out of organic registration and see if there’s another way forward.

I like the concept of your firm’s appliances though!

By: Stefan

Stefan — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:01:37 +0000

Right up front let me state that I work for Logic - a firm that makes weed wipers. We developed our weed wiper to be towed by an ATV - it’s light over the land and causes a tiny fraction of the collateral damage that a tractor does. It’s very gratifying that people are realising that technologies such as this have a great part to play in managing our land in a responsible way. I can also understand that the Soil Association can not easily be seen to let the flood gates open by approving herbicidal use ‘in some cases’. I’m just glad it’s not me who has to try and square that particular circle, but I’m all for widening the debate so that UK agriculture is eventually able to produce high quality, nutritious food in a way that is sustainable. I really sympathise with your position of not being able to farm in a way that you see as being responsible and sustainable - I’m just not sure that there’s anything anyone can do with the rules as they are!

By: paula

paula — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:30:14 +0000

Don’t get many ‘anonymouses’ - would you be tempted to reveal yourself?

But hey, yes, why ever didn’t I think of it before. Need some new ones myself! Excellent…

By: Anonymous Dude

Anonymous Dude — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:20:42 +0000

You can always make Tatami Mats (wikipedia)

By: paula

paula — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:33:09 +0000

Thank you galieshinie, I really appreciate your comment and your grasp of the issues.

By: Galieshinie

Galieshinie — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:21:38 +0000

I really enjoy your use of the term carbon-friendly farming. Farming practices should focus on the goal of their implementation, and I believe that carbon-friendly farming is much more focused on making an environmentally beneficial impact that organic farming (I just didn’t have a word for it). The practice of organic farming I believe is very diffuse in its primary goals, but I believe that everything we do should put a potential carbon footprint at the upmost of consideration. Therefore, we should be more concerned with the carbon footprint of a practice much more that if they practice is “organic” or not. Nice post, thank you for that.

By: paula

paula — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:17:32 +0000

I know, Amy. It’s a frustrating reality as you so rightly point out! But goal posts are moving all the time. Fingers crossed…

By: amy hannington

amy hannington — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:11:50 +0000

its quite difficult to consider every individual situation but then it should be possible. this is the problem with lots of aspects of life!

By: paula

paula — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:50:03 +0000

umm…most governments and regulating bodies have to make laws, rules and regulations in black and white, though most of life is experienced, lived and worked in varying shades of grey - there’s the dilemma!
In some situations one wishes that common sense could prevail if the prescribed end result was still achieved.

By: farmingfriends

farmingfriends — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:44:51 +0000

What an interesting and thought provoking post.
Sara from farmingfriends