So how do we make this better? We only have a few signers so far for this project so I can’t start promoting it to journalists yet. Do you think this is potentially an effective solution? What else can we do?

Where I’ll be going is the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. It’s going to be a very interesting experience. I plan on seeking out and trying every tropical fruit and vegetable possible, which will be amazing. I’m also wondering if there are ever any counter protests to the anti-genetic engineering rallies I keep hearing about in Hawaii that I could go to. There is a USDA station, but it is on another island. I wish I would have thought about checking to see if they had any summer internships, but its probably too late now.

I wrote about this nonsense last week.
http://www.examiner.com/article/melissa-harris-perry-must-be-using-rush-limbaugh-s-fact-checker

What school are you going to, if you don’t mind me asking?

I do think non-farmers have a hand in agitating the farming community. When farming methods are pitted against one another, especially when the arguments are full of half-truths or myths, there are no winners. I am friends with many types of farmers from all over the United States and Canada. When groups try to demonize one method of farming (it goes both ways depending on the group), farmers will fight for their chosen way of farming – even if it means throwing their neighbor under the bus occasionally. I don’t like that one bit.

Would there be agreement without outside input? I’m not sure about agreement – I think understanding would be a better word. I’ve been to many general farming conferences over the last few years, and have always been able to talk about farming in general with others. There are more similarities amongst farmers than differences, really.

My point about the “I need to feed the world” phrase, is not that it is a bad thing to grow things for export, or worry about world hunger issues. To some consumers, it sounds like we are using that phrase as an excuse to do whatever we want without regard for the land and waterways. I think we are more successful in getting our message out by pairing with organizations like Feeding America, local food shelves, and Kids Against Hunger. Farmer promotion is okay, to a point. I would rather every farmer gets up and tells their story than listen to a bunch of talking points or canned messages. That’s my opinion, anyway.