>
>New organic society formed
>
>Throughout much of this past winter New York farmers who are shipping
>organic milk and crops, or are considering doing so, have worked to
>create they're own professional group. Patterned in some ways after the
>European middle age guild concept, the new organization will work to
>provide technical expertise to its members. The purpose here is to
>enable "Non-Chemical" farmers, including DairyMen, grain and Hay growers,
>and other crop and livestock people, to achieve a quality product be
>fitting the title " Organic".
>On April 8th a group representing over 40 organic Dairymen and crop
>producers from New York and Connecticut ratified into existence the
>leatherstocking organic network (LON). This meeting, the last in a
>series of 5, was held at the columbus town Hall. This new unit consist
>of producers who are helping each other to apply sustainable practices
>which have been shown to produce maximum economic returns. Many of these
>methods result from little known organic research actually sponsored by
>Government agencies, Both state and federal. However, many of these
>recommendations come from successful experiences of individual organic
>producers.
>One such recommendation first developed by an organic Dairyman is the use
>of Diatomaceous Earth as a topical dust treatment of cattle lice and
>mites. An other such practice is spin-seeding clover into corn just
>before the rows "Close" ; this works well to give the clover a jump start
>as a fall cover crop which then becomes a plow down green manure next
>spring.
>Many organic producers have been able to experiment with unconventional
>methods such as these on a small scale. If they don't work to well, the
>loss is bearable. When the ideas do work, after a couple repeat
>performances, the farmer-researcher is eager to share his findings with
>like minded producers. Why? Because next time another operater will
>discover a good method and return the favor by sharing his/her idea.
>An important side effect of organic agriculture is the reduction of the
>Dog-eat- Dog attitude so prevalent in business, including most of
>farming. With organic product prices consistently exceeding those for
>chemically produced farm goods, still more work needs to be done to
>improve "Farm-Gate" prices of both types of products. Although price
>improvement is not a objective of LON, its members will be in a good
>position, if they so wish, to join a totally separate marketing unit.
>As an educational entity, LON recommends organic producers continue
>certification with any certifying agencies of their choice. Those
>interested in an educational mission geared to producers who must make
>their living from their farms are encouraged to contact Charlie
>Lifson(315-337-1278) Kathie Arnold (607-842-6631) or Chuck Blood
>(315-899-8907).
>--------- End forwarded message ----------
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