*This is just an example of what to expect from this course. It is going to be life changing.

There is a home for this! yay yay yay!

Those words kept landing with a thud in my stomach throughout the 2 weeks of Earth Activist Training. They landed like comfort, like warm tea on a cold day. Mmmmm, relax, spread out, there’s a home for this and you’re inside it.

I’ve had a funny hunch that permaculture is an important lens for me. I’ve worktraded on permaculture sites, tried (unsuccessfully… so far) to get permaculture classes started, written articles about queer permaculture (more on that some other time). But honestly it was all a hunch – my own experience was my greatest proof that permaculture and real liberatory social justice are one in the same. We can talk about composting our poop into fertile soil one moment and then discuss effective methods of direct action the next? We can talk about dealing with police brutality in the same breath as rainwater harvesting? oh wow oh wow yes!

Starhawk‘s E.A.T. course, which she taught with Charles Williams, is freaking amazing. As she went over the syllabus each item lodged itself in another nook of my brain, found a fold yearning for exactly that flavor to chew on. There was already space for this knowledge, all I needed was the content to fill in the corners and expand the edges of this now-huge space.

This approach to permaculture constantly examines the human relationships that go down alongside the earth sustainability work. We spent 2 nights talking about non-hierarchical organizing and methods to make a meeting functional fun and effective. We talked about magical activism. We even devised some magical activism.

On the activism front, this training is potent. After so much analysis, heartache and headbreak over the Occupy movement, I came to quite a few conclusions about what makes organizing work. It all aligns with permaculture principles. Observe first. Value the marginal, the edges, those with less power. Form coalitions that can thrive autonomously, not with constant leadership from outside. I could go on. Permaculture extends these ideas into physical realities. It explains through a lens of natural systems that makes these abstract concepts so much more tenable. Diversity isn’t just a cute thing people think they’re supposed to want. It is the core essential necessity of a healthy reality. Blam. If you look at something as if it’s a problem, it will stay a problem. If you look at something as if it’s information, than it’s a solution. Blam.

By Annie Rose London

By Freya, Age 5

Kids camp was fun!!!

Playing marimba was fun and singing songs. I liked dancing and doing the freeze dance, and playing the tambourine dance game.

I can’t wait until next year’s kids camp!

Courts Milking Their Power
by Karen Selick
When you had breakfast this morning, did you pour milk on your cereal or in your tea? Did you give your child a glass of milk? According to a recent decision of the Ontario Court of Justice, you had no right to do that.

The Charter was, after all, designed to rein in government, not to rein in individuals. It did not purport to grant us our rights or freedoms; rather, it recognized that those freedoms already existed. It guarantees in its very first section that the state may not infringe our freedoms except by “such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”

In keeping with western democratic tradition, the Charter recognized that our lives belong to ourselves, not to the state.

John Stuart Mill, for instance, wrote in On Liberty in 1859, “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant … Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.”

Mill would therefore have said that individuals should be free to ride bicycles without wearing helmets, to skydive, to refuse blood transfusions, or to drink milk — pasteurized or raw — no matter how foolhardy others might consider those actions.

In 1985, Justice Bertha Wilson of the Supreme Court of Canada fleetingly got it right, saying: “Indeed, all regulatory offences impose some restriction on liberty broadly construed.” But she instantly retreated from the idea, saying that it would “trivialize the Charter” to consider all laws to be violations of liberty, even if the state could ultimately demonstrate why certain laws were justified.

So she and fellow judges proceeded to eviscerate the word “liberty,” defining it ever more narrowly, disregarding the fact that dictionaries invariable define liberty to include an absence of constraints and a power of choice. Eventually only “decisions of fundamental personal importance” fell within Canadian constitutional liberty. Decisions about “lifestyle choices” were deemed not sufficiently important. Some judges expressed the fear that society might become “ungovernable” if such matters were considered to fall within liberty, ignoring the fact that it remained within the court’s power to approve laws when government had made out a persuasive case for restricting liberty.

The result has been to stand the Charter on its head, to give the state carte blanche to regulate us in every conceivable way, right down to telling us that we have no right to drink milk — even government-approved milk.

Totalitarianism is the name for a political regime in which virtually all aspects of citizens’ lives are subject to state control.

Our courts have aided and abetted our legislatures as they squander our heritage. It is liberty that they have trivialized.

Karen Selick is the litigation director for the Canadian Constitution Foundation and the lawyer for Michael Schmidt.

This is why we don’t often have blog posts about what is going on in the office. We don’t do fun stuff. Well… there was that one time with all the balloons… but really the farm has it going on (I know this because I can hear them playing ninja every morning before their team meeting while I sit here with cold toast and talk about how I feel about …. ) Oh right. This is a post about the interesting things that are happening on the farm.

So today they got this mondo load of hay. I wanted to get in on it…. so I took some pictures. But then someone asked me if I was working… which meant that it looked like I wasn’t working… so I went back to work Enjoy!

They hay crew. Also the Garden Team. And the Farm Team.

Showin’ off their pipes…

As it turns out though…

J-dawg was the only one working…

He told me all about how he unloaded and stacked every bale, all by himself. It was the hardest day he had yet on the farm. In a good way.

No one wanted to corroborate that story though, which may or may not mean that it is true. The Garden/Farm/Hay Team is a bit of a suspicious bunch.

It would, thus, be fitting that I would take the time to make a little video of the sheep being sheared. Of course.

Oh ya. Jorden. This is about Jorden …

I came to O.U.R. Ecovillage with a passion to pursue Permaculture. A passion to understand how I interact with the planet, and a passion to help others do the same. I knew that Permaculture was a practical way to address climate change, but it wasn’t until I got here that my thought pattern shifted a little further. It was after I had shuffled off my urban coil and had found some time to think. And that’s when it hit me.

I’m chasing sunlight.

I quickly realized I’d be a fool to attempt this alone. After all, light skips along at 186,000 miles/second. Cripes. Even in a group, this is a daunting task. So to be fair, I should re-phrase:

We’re chasing sunlight.

Chasing sunlight?  Damn. You must think I’m totally nuts. Let me summarize.

If we leave discussions about the carbon cycle and photosynthesis at the door, chasing sunlight is what producing organic sustainable food boils down to. So when I applied for an internship in Sustainable Food Production at O.U.R. Ecovillage, that’s one of the tasks that laid in my path. Our rather, their path. To their credit, they were already on the path. I just hopped on the ever-growing bandwagon.

There’s many collective ways to chase sunlight. Here’s are a few examples I’ve recently experienced:

1. Growing delicious organic food.
2. Recovering sneaky chickens that have escaped from their pen. One particular chicken (Houdini) is particularly adept at this. I’ve yet to catch her in the act.
3. Sharing the collective journey of creating community. Shared meals originating in the field or garden being a prime example.
4. Laughing my ass off in a sunny garden with friends while munching on yummy plants. Does life really get better than this?
5. Manually churning the most massive pile of compost I’ve ever seen. Somehow I managed to avoid getting splattered by some pretty stinky stuff.

Growing food sustainably means different things to different people. I believe that’s partially because there’s so many ways to define sustainability. I define sustainability as “any system that produces enough energy from within to provide for its own reproduction.”
Hhhhmmm…. well, keeping that in mind, it’s a complex journey we’re on, and it will not happen overnight. We’ve got work to do.
I believe this journey is a vital to our species survival. I guess otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

Thus far in the journey, I’ve reached the following conclusions:

1. Fossil fuels are actually a rare and somewhat precious thing.
2. Humankind’s prolific use of them is starting to cause one, maybe two … alright, more than a few problems.
3. We can either choose to leave them gently behind, or choose a more violent approach.
4. Soils and forests around the world are in dire need of a little TLC. And not in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, or clearcuts.
5. Polar bears are fuzzy-looking and very cute from a distance.

Granted, the more expensive fossil fuels become (and they will), the more this journey will be pursued by mainstream society and not just marginal groups. The exciting thing is that we don’t have to wait. Or rather, does it make sense to wait? I’m the first to admit that I’d opt for the gentler approach referred to above in number three.
Pursuing a sustainable path is that gentle approach. It’s the approach of collectively chasing sunlight.

fotos by: jdawg (this is what Jorden makes us call him while doing this funny little hand signal that I can’t really describe in words)

This cover letter is provided to explain the reasoning and concerns that were conveyed in a letter which I sent to Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack on January 17, 2011 (Attachment 1). The letter was not intended for public distribution; however, the letter was ‘leaked’ and subsequently posted on the internet from which it soon became public knowledge world-wide. Once it was widely distributed, I gave permission for subsequent postings in order to keep it consistent. My busy meeting and travel schedule has delayed getting further information on this matter out publicly to the many individuals who have requested it. The scientific data on this newly recognized organism is being prepared for formal publication.

I wrote the letter to Secretary Vilsack for a very simple reason: we are experiencing a large number of problems in production agriculture in the U.S. that appear to be intensified and sometimes directly related to genetically engineered (GMO) crops, and/or the products they were engineered to tolerate – especially those related to glyphosate (the active chemical in Roundup® herbicide and generic versions of this herbicide). We have witnessed a deterioration in the plant health of corn, soybean, wheat and other crops recently with unexplained epidemics of sudden death syndrome of soybean (SDS), Goss’ wilt of corn, and take-all of small grain crops the last two years. At the same time, there has been an increasing frequency of previously unexplained animal (cattle, pig, horse, poultry) infertility and spontaneous abortions. These situations are threatening the economic viability of both crop and animal producers.

Incidence of high infertility and spontaneous abortions in the various animal species is becoming more common. Often, all previously known causes of these conditions can be ruled out as factors for these particular farm operations (Attachment 2). Detailed examination for the newly recognized organism has shown its presence in all of the cases examined to date. Koch’s postulates have been completed for animals to verify the cause/effect relationship with this newly culturable organism. A search for the source of animal infections revealed a high population of this newly discovered electron microscopic sized organism in soybean meal and corn products. The organism appears compatible, and probably synergistic, with other microorganisms such as Fusarium solani fsp. glycines, the cause of SDS of soybeans and also with gram positive bacteria. The organism also is in a very high population in Goss’ wilt infected corn caused by the gram positive bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis.

Although most corn hybrids have been genetically resistant to Goss’ wilt, preliminary research in 2010 demonstrated that the application of glyphosate herbicide, or the surfactant from glyphosate formulations, nullified this resistance and rendered them fully susceptible to this pathogen (Fig. 1). This disease was commonly observed in many Midwestern U.S. fields planted to RR corn in 2009 and 2010, while adjacent non-GMO corn had very light to no infections in spite of the high inoculum present in no-till crop residues (Figure 2). The increased Goss’ wilt in 2010 was a major contributor to the estimated almost one billion bushels of corn ‘lost’ last year (based on USDA August estimated yields and actually harvested crop reported by USDA in January) in spite of generally good harvest conditions.

Increased severity of plant diseases after glyphosate is applied (Fig. 3) is well documented and, although rarely cited, the increased disease susceptibility is the herbicidal mode of action of glyphosate (Johal andRahe,1988, 1990; Johal and Huber, 2009; Schafer et al, 2009, 2010). The loss of disease resistance in Roundup Ready® sugar beets when glyphosate was applied prompted researchers at the USDA sugar beet laboratory to include a precautionary statement in their paper, e.g. “Precautions need to be taken when certain soil-borne diseases are present if weed management for sugar beet is to include post-emergence glyphosate treatments” (Larson et al, 2006).

The loss of genetic resistance in Roundup Ready® corn hybrids to Goss’ wilt (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis) (Figs. 2, 3), synergistic relationship of the newly recognized electron microscopic organism causing infertility and abortions in animals with gram+ bacteria, and high populations of the new EM organism in RR corn leaves and silage creates a concern for the deregulation of Roundup Ready® alfalfa which is productive in many areas only because of its genetic resistance to bacterial wilt caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosum. This disease could make alfalfa unprofitable for production and, if the EM organism is associated with it in alfalfa as it is in corn, also unsafe for animal feed and their products such as milk for human consumption. The loss of alfalfa, the United State’s most valuable forage crop and fourth most economically important crop, could strike a mortal blow to struggling dairy and beef operations.

Extensive research has shown that this potent tool for weed management, glyphosate, is also a strong immobilizer (chelator) of essential plant nutrients to impair nutrient uptake, translocation, and physiological efficiency at only a fraction of the labeled herbicidal rate (Ekers, Ozturk, Cakmak, Zobiole, Jolly et al., 2004). Glyphosate is a powerful biocide to harm beneficial soil organisms important for nutrient recycling, N-fixation, nutrient availability, and natural disease control (Kremer & Means, Zobiole et al, Dick et al) with a resultant increase in diseases of corn, soybeans (Fig. 3), wheat and other crops. The close relationship between mineral nutrition and disease severity is well documented (Datnoff et al, 2007). These activities can have deleterious effects on plant nutrition, disease susceptibility, and nutritional quality of the crop produced.

Deleterious effects of GM crops also are vividly demonstrated in reports from livestock producers in the U.S. Although some of these reports are anecdotal because of limited analytical techniques to verify the cause, some producers have been able to resume economical operations by changing feed sources to non-GMO crops. Replicated independent research is needed in this area, especially in light of the serious toxicological concerns raised recently that show potential human and animal toxicity from very low levels of residual glyphosate in food/feed that are many times lower than permitted in U.S. food and feed products (Seralini et al., 2011). The recent Indian Supreme Court’s independent analysis and Ruling that GMO egg plant posed a significant health risk to humans needs further evaluation in the U.S. (AgroNews, 2011).

I feel I would be totally irresponsible to ignore my own research and the vast amount of published research now available that support the concerns we are seeing in production agriculture, without bringing it to the attention of the Secretary of Agriculture with a request for him to initiate the much needed independent research. Many producers can’t wait an additional 3-10 years for someone to find the funds and neutral environment to conduct such critical research (Attachment 2. Entomologists letter to EPA).

Based on the scientific evidence currently accumulating, I do not believe it is in the best interests of the agricultural producer or consuming public for regulatory agencies to approve more GMO crops, particularly Roundup Ready® alfalfa and sugar beets, until independent research can establish their productivity when predisposed to potentially severe diseases, the irrelevance of the new EM organism, and their nutritional equivalency. In my letter, I asked the Secretary to allocate the necessary resources to do this, and requested that he exercise the utmost caution in deregulating these crops until such findings resolve the concerns expressed in the letter, if they do.

Don M. Huber

Professor Emeritus, Purdue University

References cited

AgroNews. 2011. India: Signs of food toxicity in GE eggplant. Scoop.co.nz 2011-1-18. [http://news.agropages.com/News/NewsDetail---3369.htm] Nib, 24 Jnuary 111.

Bellaloui, N., reddy, K.N., Zablotowicz, R.M., Abbas, H.K., and Abel, C.A. 2009. Effects of glyphosate application on seed iron and root ferric (III) reductase in soybean cultivars. J. Agric. Food Chem. 57:9569-9574.

Bott, S., Tesfamariam, T., Kania, A., Eman, B., Aslan, N., Roemheld, V., and Neumann, G. 2011, Phytotoxicity of glyphosate soil residues re-mobilise4d by phosphate fertilization. Plant Soil 315:2-11. DOI 10, 1007/s11104-010-06989-3.

Cakmak, I., Yazici, A., Tutus, Y., Ozturk, L. 2009. Glyphosate reduced seed and leaf concentrations of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and iron in non-glyphosate resistant soybean. European J. Agron. 31:114-119.

Datnoff, L.E., elmer, W.H., and Huber, D.M. 2007. Mineral Nutrition and Plant Disease. APS Press, St. Paul, Mn. 278. 278 pages.

Eker, S., Ozturk, L., Yazici, A., Erenoglu, B., Roemheld, V., and Cakmak, I. 2006. Foliar-applied glyphosate substantially reduced uptake and transport of iron and manganese in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54:100019-10025.

Fernandez, M.R., Zentner, R.P., Basnyat, P., Gehl, D., Selles, F., and Huber, D.M. 2009. Glyphosate associations with cereal diseases caused by Fusarium spp. in the Canadian Prairies. European J. Agon. 31:133-143.

Johal, G.R. and Rahe, J.E. 1984. Effect of soilborne paltn-pathogenic fungi on the herbicidal action of glyphosate on bean seedlings. Phytopathology 74:950-955.

Johal, G.R. and Rahe, J.E. 1990. Role of phytoalexins in the suppression of resistance of Phaseolus vulgaris to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum by glyphosate. Canad. J. Plant Pathol. 12:225-235.

Johal, G.R. and Huber, D.M. 2009. Glyphosate effects on diseases of plants. European J. Agron. 31:144-152.

Kremer, R.J. and Means, N.E. 2009. Glyphosate and glyphosate-resistant crop interactions with rhizosphere microorganisms. European J. Agron. 31:153-161.

Larsen, R.L., Hill, A.L., Fenwick, A., Kniss, A.R., Hanson, L.E., and Miller, S.D. 2006. Influence of glyphosate on Rhizoctonia and Fusarium root rot in sugar beet. Pest Manag. Sci. 62:1182-1192.

Ozturk, L., Yazici, A., Eker, S., gokmen, O., roemheld, V., and Cakmak, I. 2008. Glyphosate inhibition of ferric reductase activity in iron deficient sunflower roots. New Phytol. 177:899-906.

Schafer, J.R., Westhoven, A.M., Kruger, G.R., Davis, V.M., Hallett, S.G., and Johnson, W.G. 2009. Effect of growth media on common lambsquarter and giant ragweed biotypes response to glyphosate. Proc. Northcentral Weed Sci. Soc. 64:102.

Schafer, J.R., Hallett, S.G., and jophnson, W.G. 2010. Role of soil-borne fungi in the response of giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) biotypes to glyphosate. Proc. Northcentral Weed Sci. Soc. 65:.

Seralini, G-E., Mesnage, R., Clair, E., Gress, S., de Vendomois, J.S., Cellier, D. 2011. Genetically modified crops safety assessments: present limits and possible improvements. Environ. Sci. Europe 23:10-20. http://www.enveurope.com/content/23/1/10

Tesfamariam, T., Bott, S., Cakmak, I., Roemheld, V., and Neumann, G. 2009. Glyphosate in the rhizosphere – role of waiting times and different glyphosate binding forms in soils for phytoxicity to non-target plants. European J. Agron. 31:126-132.

Yamada, T., Kremer, R.J., Camargo e Castro, P.R., and Wood, B.W. 2009. Glyphosate interactions with physiology, nutrition, and diseases of plants: Threat to agricultural sustainability? European J. Agron. 31:111-113.

Zobiole, L.H.S., Oliveira, R.S.Jr., Huber, D.M., Constantin, J., Castro, C., Oliveira, F.A., Oliveira, A. Jr. 2010. Glyphosate reduces shoot concentrations of mineral nutrients in glyphosate-resistant soybeans. Plant Soil 328:57-69.

Zobiole, L.H.S., Oliveira, R.S. Jr., Kremer, R.J., Constantin, J., Yamada, T., Castro, C., Oliveiro, F.A., and Oliveira, A. Jr. 2010. Effect of glyposate on symbiotic N2 fixation and nickel concentration in glyphosate-resistant soybeans. Applied Soil Ecol. 44:176-180.

Attachment 1: Letter to Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsak

CONFIDENTIAL and URGENT

1/17/11

The Honorable Thomas Vilsack
United States Secretary of Agriculture

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

A team of senior plant and animal scientists have recently brought to my attention the discovery of an electron microscopic pathogen that appears to significantly impact the health of plants, animals, and probably human beings. Based on a review of the data, it is widespread, very serious, and is in much higher concentrations in Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans and corn—suggesting a link with the RR gene or more likely the presence of Roundup. This organism appears NEW to science!

This is highly sensitive information that could result in a collapse of US soy and corn export markets and significant disruption of domestic food and feed supplies. On the other hand, this new organism may already be responsible for significant harm (see below). My colleagues and I are therefore moving our investigation forward with speed and discretion, and seek assistance from the USDA and other entities to identify the pathogen’s source, prevalence, implications, and remedies.

We are informing the USDA of our findings at this early stage, specifically due to your pending decision regarding approval of RR alfalfa. Naturally, if either the RR gene or Roundup itself is a promoter or co-factor of this pathogen, then such approval could be a calamity. Based on the current evidence, the only reasonable action at this time would be to delay deregulation at least until sufficient data has exonerated the RR system, if it does.

For the past 40 years, I have been a scientist in the professional and military agencies that evaluate and prepare for natural and manmade biological threats, including germ warfare and disease outbreaks. Based on this experience, I believe the threat we are facing from this pathogen is unique and of a high risk status. In layman’s terms, it should be treated as an emergency.

A diverse set of researchers working on this problem have contributed various pieces of the puzzle, which together presents the following disturbing scenario:

Unique Physical Properties

This previously unknown organism is only visible under an electron microscope (36,000X), with an approximate size range equal to a medium size virus. It is able to reproduce and appears to be a micro-fungal-like organism. If so, it would be the first such micro-fungus ever identified. There is strong evidence that this infectious agent promotes diseases of both plants and mammals, which is very rare.

Pathogen Location and Concentration

It is found in high concentrations in Roundup Ready soybean meal and corn, distillers meal, fermentation feed products, pig stomach contents, and pig and cattle placentas.

Linked with Outbreaks of Plant Disease

The organism is prolific in plants infected with two pervasive diseases that are driving down yields and farmer income—sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soy, and Goss’ wilt in corn. The pathogen is also found in the fungal causative agent of SDS (Fusarium solani fsp glycines).

Implicated in Animal Reproductive Failure

Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of this organism in a wide variety of livestock that have experienced spontaneous abortions and infertility. Preliminary results from ongoing research have also been able to reproduce abortions in a clinical setting.

The pathogen may explain the escalating frequency of infertility and spontaneous abortions over the past few years in US cattle, dairy, swine, and horse operations. These include recent reports of infertility rates in dairy heifers of over 20%, and spontaneous abortions in cattle as high as 45%.

For example, 450 of 1,000 pregnant heifers fed wheatlege experienced spontaneous abortions. Over the same period, another 1,000 heifers from the same herd that were raised on hay had no abortions. High concentrations of the pathogen were confirmed on the wheatlage, which likely had been under weed management using glyphosate.

Recommendations

In summary, because of the high titer of this new animal pathogen in Roundup Ready crops, and its association with plant and animal diseases that are reaching epidemic proportions, we request USDA’s participation in a multi-agency investigation, and an immediate moratorium on the deregulation of RR crops until the causal/predisposing relationship with glyphosate and/or RR plants can be ruled out as a threat to crop and animal production and human health.

It is urgent to examine whether the side-effects of glyphosate use may have facilitated the growth of this pathogen, or allowed it to cause greater harm to weakened plant and animal hosts. It is well-documented that glyphosate promotes soil pathogens and is already implicated with the increase of more than 40 plant diseases; it dismantles plant defenses by chelating vital nutrients; and it reduces the bioavailability of nutrients in feed, which in turn can cause animal disorders. To properly evaluate these factors, we request access to the relevant USDA data.

I have studied plant pathogens for more than 50 years. We are now seeing an unprecedented trend of increasing plant and animal diseases and disorders. This pathogen may be instrumental to understanding and solving this problem. It deserves immediate attention with significant resources to avoid a general collapse of our critical agricultural infrastructure.

Sincerely,

COL (Ret.) Don M. Huber
Emeritus Professor, Purdue University
APS Coordinator, USDA National Plant Disease Recovery System (NPDRS)

Attachment 2 Letter from a Veterinarian

Hello, my name is ___________. I am a veterinarian in Michigan.

I am working with a sow herd that has had elevated death loss for over two years and very poor reproductive performance for the last 6-8 months. I have done extensive diagnostics (primarily at Iowa State) and can find nothing infectious that is routinely found to explain the problem.

I suspect there is a toxin involved; I have done extensive testing on liver, feed, and water but can find no evidence of those compounds either. We have had a few individuals mention that the use of GMO crops could be contributing to these problems.

The producer recently saw your article to the secretary of agriculture and forwarded it to me. We are very intrigued by the organism you mention. Could you tell me if any laboratory is looking for this agent? How do we go about finding it? We are at the end of our rope and cannot figure this out. Any help you can give us would be greatly appreciated.

Attachment 3: Letter from 26 University Entomologists to EPA

Public Submission: EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0836-0043. Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0836

Docket Title Evaluation of the Resistance Risks from Using a Seed Mix Refuge with Pioneer’s Optimum AcreMax 1 Corn Rootworm-Protected Corn

Document EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0836-0001; Public Submission EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0836-0043

Public Submission Title Anonymous public comment Receipt Date 02/09/2009

Doc. Legacy ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0836-0032(0900006480849377) Track No. 8084de39

General Comment

Comment The following statement has been submitted by 26 leading corn insect scientists working at public research institutions located in 16 corn producing states. All of the scientists have been active participants of the Regional Research Project NCCC-46 “Development, Optimization, and Delivery of Management Strategies for Rootworms and Other Below-ground Insect Pests of Maize” and/or related projects with corn insect pests. The statement may be applicable to all EPA decisions on PIPs, not just for the current SAP. It should not be interpreted that the actions and opinions of these 26 scientists represent those of the entire group

of scientists participating in NCCC-46. The names of the scientists have been withheld from the public docket because virtually all of us require cooperation from industry at some level to conduct our research.

Statement:

“Technology/stewardship agreements required for the purchase of genetically modified seed explicitly prohibit research. These agreements inhibit public scientists from pursuing their mandated role on behalf of the public good unless the research is approved by industry. As a result of restricted access, no truly independent research can be legally conducted on many critical questions regarding the technology, its performance, its management implications, IRM, and its interactions with insect biology. Consequently, data flowing to an EPA Scientific Advisory Panel from the public sector is unduly limited.”

Gratefully lifted from greenpasture.org (images available at the end of this post)

et au naturel, just a few hours after birth…

Sisters, twins in fact, Tia and Talia

Oh, and the cutest photo on the planet (seriously, if any of you out there can top this…)

Thanks to Erica Breau for her creative camera shenanigans… cause without her we’d be looking at my fuzzy interpretations.

This is Thomas. He’s the male turkey who came on-site in November. Thomas currently has three hens that he looks after on the farm. Until a few moments ago.

A few moments ago, a flock of wild turkeys flew onto the farm. After they landed, Bossy came over to check them out, which frightened them. They all crowded over to the turkey coop door…

So Kate let them in… and before we knew it, Thomas was taking care of business.

And then there were six. Go Thomas.