Michelle Obama’s decision to grow an organic garden at the White House for her children’s sake has been celebrated by most anyone with a lick of common sense. However, Big Ag lobbyist Mid America Crop Life Association displaying a big set of brass ones, sent a letter to Mrs. Obama in hopes of pimping her organic garden.
Here is an excerpt from the letter:
Sophisticated Global Positioning Systems can be specifically designed for spraying pesticides. A weed detector equipped with infrared light identifies specific plants by the different rates of light they reflect and then sends a signal to a pump to spray a preset amount of herbicide onto the weed. Biogenetics allows a particular trait to be implanted directly into the seed to protect the seed against certain pests[...]
[...]As you go about planning and planting the White House garden, we respectfully encourage you to recognize the role conventional agriculture plays in the U.S in feeding the ever-increasing population, contributing to the U.S. economy and providing a safe and economical food supply. America’s farmers understand crop protection technologies are supported by sound scientific research and innovation.
Okay, so may be some mad scientist killing lab rats with the latest frankenstein concoction doesn’t turn your stomach, but after MACA sent its letter they fowarded an email around with this message:
Did you hear the news? The White House is planning to have an “organic” garden on the grounds to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the Obama’s and their guests. While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made Janet Braun, CropLife Ambassador Coordinator and I shudder. As a result, we sent a letter encouraging them to consider using crop protection products and to recognize the importance of agriculture to the entire U.S. economy. Read below for the entire letter.
I purposely red flagged that blurb to highlight the gall. Now, when your blood stops boiling make more than a symbolic gesture in celebration of earth day (April 22) using the following suggestions:
- Turn off all lights to help conserve energy on earth day (traditional).
- Sign the petition to the White House http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/wh_garden/ supporting organic farming and Obamas organic garden.
- Make a committment to yourself and family to boycott agriculture infested with pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, synthetic chemicals and GMO (genetically modified organisms).
- Support any number of grassroots organic campaigns at http://www.organicconsumers.org/transitions/index.cfm
- Learn more about organic gardening click here==> free organic garden mini course.
Organic gardening on the White House lawn
April 2, 2009
Organic vegetable garden tomatoes
Organic gardening is about to commence at the White House. According to New York Times journalist Marian Burros, first lady Michelle Obama has started to till a section of the South Lawn to plant an organic garden. A White House garden has been missing since Eleanor Roosevelt planted the Victory Garden during World War II.
Burros wrote that Mrs. Obama was mostly interested in teaching parents and children about the health benefits of eating organically grown foods. “The first lady recalled the idea came from her experiences as a working mother trying to feed her daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet.”
Just like a number of parents around the country, Mrs. Obama became concerned over the drastic increase in over-weight children and juvenile diabetes after she realized her girls put on extra pounds from eating out so often.
Obviously grass roots efforts being made by advocates such as the Organic Consumers Association, who feel an increase in locally grown organic foods will help reduce child obesity and diet-related diseases, has begun to pay dividends.
Many of these health problems have linked to a school lunch menu filled with junk food that contain fats, starches and meats that have been genetically modified, injected with hormones and antibiotics, and sprayed with toxic pesticides.
