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Keeping in Touch:  Danger of Extinction  |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:06:44 PM
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I am napped up and ready to post again. I watched the special features section of The Future of Food video until I went to sleep. Will have to watch it again to take a few notes. I highly recommend this DVD for our library. With my splurge money I want to buy the version with the university course on it. It's supposed to provide enough information for anyone who wants to teach a class (not specifically or totally heirloom info, but good stuff related to healthy gardening). That's all the plug I'll give for it until I actually see/touch/taste/inhale the material.
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:14:32 PM
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It's on my list of things to buy. I'm making a shopping list for the important materials a Maven needs...that is a lot of books lol! but I'm probably buying things that I don't truly "NEED' just stuff that I want 
If I can wring the cash out of my budget.
P.S Dawn don't work, my screen name on Blogger is Panz. so that's me
Annika
Farmgirl sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
http://innermountainmudhens.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoonsgarden.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Annika on Sep 16 2008 3:18:06 PM |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:28:54 PM
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Oops! Accidentally hit the submit button AND pushed us to page 16. Moving on.............
Annika, there were three websites in addition to www.seedsavers.org that were listed in the Saving Seeds featurette. They were:
www.seedalliance.org - by the Organic Seed Alliance; more for large scale operations but has useful info (and it's a pretty page too - autumny colors)
www.seedsave.org - by the International Seed Saving Institute (ISSI); includes free online seed saving instructions ("Concise seed saving instructions for your favorite garden vegetables. Includes definitions for seed saving terms and a tutorial for beginners."); a link to their site www.seedstrust.com for purchasing online heirloom, vegetable, herb, native grass and wildflower seeds
www.savingourseed.org - by the Saving Our Seed Project: 10 Partners Working with Southeast Farmers and Extension Agents in the Production of Organic and Heirloom Seed; last updated in April 2006 but has a lot of information that I think we could use as we plan our talks/brochures/etc. to share the news with others; also has guides for producing different seeds like tomato, bean, and pepper; and free downloadable production resources for building a small electric seed winnower, a small grain dehuller, a hand operated seed winnower and a hand operated vacuum packing system for seed storage (this is more information than I think I need to know at this time but how fun is it that they put this on their site???!)
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:39:12 PM
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Dawn, so agree about finally finding women that "get it." Last year I led a women's group at church (I didn't plan for to be a "leader" but 33 women signed up, 17 were regulars) on getting healthier one small change at a time. I wanted to get them thinking about the things we use, eat, etc. and make informed choices, not just pick something off the shelf or take the manufacturer's word (or worse, in some cases, the government's). Oh me of the if-the-government-approved-it-for-sale-it-must-be-safe mindset until I got edjikated. Some got it, most at least got to the thinking stage, some didn't want to think about it because it was too scary, and so on. Stopping here before I get on my soapbox again - that's another post. So, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so grateful for this group.
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
Edited by - LivingWell4You on Sep 16 2008 4:35:12 PM |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:47:53 PM
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Alee, great idea to use paypal. I'm set up as a user - have no idea how to set it up for the group but I fully support anyone who can do it! A new duty!!!
Teresa Sue, you master gardener in humble clothing! What an asset to this group you are! You will definitely earn your keep in this henhouse. "People to mow" - girl, you crack me up one side and down the other!
Dawn, DH = dear husband, DD = dear daughter, that should help you be able to figure out the rest (wait, here's a couple more SAHM - stay at home mom, WAHM - work at home mom). And how's it goin' with those tomatoes?
And add me to the list of sisterhood fund contributors also.
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:49:55 PM
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Oh yea, Annika, if you wouldn't mind posting your sisterhood supply list, I'd love to see it. I was just getting ready to start my own but we could have a master list available for people to pick and choose from for their own "heirloom supply closet."
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:52:57 PM
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I had to go back an reread that post. I just got that! LMAO!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 3:55:54 PM
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Not sure if ya'll picked the right person for this. I'm not even journaling yet. You guys are waaaaaay ahead of me! I'm still sweating on how I'm gonna get the farm market off the ground next Saturday....with no pumpins. Okay going back to day one and starting the journal....I was supposed to be offline (gave myself a deadline) an hour ago...
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 4:32:09 PM
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Annika, I tried to post a comment but blogger is mad at me right now. Not letting me comment on another site either. Doesn't like my password anymore. Here is what I wrote:
Annika, great post! And I love the idea of including seeds from the endangered list in planning our gardens. People just don't know what they're missing. They're uninformed. They can't even make the wrong decision because they don't realize there is a decision to be made. Instead of a fields of dreams we will each have a garden of dreams - "If we grow it, they will come."
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
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LivingWell4You
True Blue Farmgirl
1411 Posts
Karen
Hillsboro
MO
USA
1411 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 4:33:26 PM
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"A fields" - make that "a field" of dreams. I think they grow pumpins in a fields of dreams - gotcha, Dawnzo!
God bless -
Karen
Farmgirl Sista #311 |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 4:39:34 PM
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Yeah, we'll see about that mask!
Well, I have to say it seems some plans are starting to gel up. Once we get the basic infrastructure up and going for the hen house we can channel all this energy into what we are all about.
I agree with Dawn about the connectin with the women on this site. I have lived in this community for 18 years and I do not know one person who identifies with these values. In fact, I really don't know how healthful it would be to be outspoken here. I guess we'll see.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 4:48:40 PM
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It is taking everything I have not to jump in and say, I wanna do................, but with the task of planning the BBB, I had better just let you all have all the fun with the heirlooms.. (well not all the fun) as I plan on participating, but... OK so for those asking about the BBB.. Mark your Calendars for July 3-5th 2009 ~ In Coeur d alene Idaho. Events will begin Friday the 3rd in CDA for a meet and greet social, then we will travel down the Palouse.. Looping back into CDA for fireworks (unless we find a town that is having a show on the caravan route).... The farm will be hosting a bash at the old mill in Oakesdale as one of the "stops", with vendors, live music and games. Sunday we will have a BASH at the Lake all around "healthy foods".. cannot wait. SOOOOO mark your calendars and start saving the "egg" $$$.. We will have blocks of hotel rooms, block of camping sites and of course there are always farmgirls in the area to hook up with too. We will start posting INFO on the BBB soon, so continue to be patient~
Dawn~ you are so the "perfect" gal for this job~ and the gals coming along side are awesome as well...Great job mavens!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
"Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. ~Michael P. Garafalo
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 6:42:08 PM
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Annika: what you said on the blog is right on the money. YOU ARE FINE! Thanks for the well wishes on the farm market. Hubby-kins and I went to FIL's an picked up 6 bags of apples/pears that were blown down from the remnants of Hurricane Ike. They are completely organic as "H" (thats what we call FIL) hasnt done anything with them in over 20 years. NO spray, no fertilizer, nothing. Omg, and they are sooooo good!
I want to put it out there again, that I would like to have everyone's home address. Sometimes its nice to receive something through the postal service other than bills.....
Karen: I so did not get to the tomato's... but ask me about my leftover lasagna! Hilarious.... good night girls. I got stuff to sew...
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 7:55:51 PM
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Holy cow where do I start - haven't been on the computer since 6 am and 4 pages to read - woohoo!! Okay, Dawn to answer the clearinghouse question. I was thinking if people shared their experiences with growing specific heirlooms -good, bad, what worked etc. and we could keep track and make that available to people as well. I would totally be into doing that too along with the lists - that would give me something a little more creative than just lists but can still utilize my organizational skills - some people call it anal/control freak properties:D Anyhow...I love the idea of a badge connected with exploring slowfood/heirloom resources
Oh and it would be great to have everyone's address for mailing stuff - I pretty much trust that this group of farmgirls is not going to sell my address for nefarious purposes - like putting me on the Monsanto mailing list or something....
Wow I just read so much I don't know if I replied to everything I wanted to....Oh yeah I was thinking it would be great to sponsor farmgirls w/o $20 - this time last year and I wouldn't have been a sister, didn't have the funds.
Looking forward to talking to all of you real soon.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 05:54:47 AM
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I "think" the secret sister fund is alrady in action! Amy Grace, take it and run girl. Be as controlling as you want to! I am grateful for you and I know that others are too! This topic is obviously a hot one!
Amy Grace: I love your tag line!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 07:42:18 AM
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Karen, you asked what I thought belonged in a "MJ's Heirloom Maven" beginners pack and here goes ~
"The Future of food" dvd/video
Become part of the slow food movement ~ The ARK of taste in particular
Joining Seed Savers Exchange gives you access to a LOT of heirlooms
"Gardening with Heirloom seeds" by Lynn Coulter
"Seed to Seed" by Suzanne Ashworth
Taylor's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables: A Complete Guide to the Best Historic and Ethnic Varieties
By Benjamin A Watson
"The new seed starters handbook" by Nancy Bubel
"Starting from seed" edited by Karan Davis Cutler
"The heirloom Garden" magazine from Baker creek looks good
A note book for general chapter notes
A note book for seed inventory when you have one =)
A note book for Garden notes
Seed saving Equipment ~ small zip-lock bags
labels, a very fine sieve, spray bottle, re-cycled paper towels
Please everyone, add to this list if you can think of what is needed
Annika
Farmgirl sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
http://innermountainmudhens.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoonsgarden.blogspot.com/ |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 07:51:37 AM
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Wow. NOt sure where to start on this one. Hubby and I had quite the conversation this morning about our project. It seems as if I may have a snag in my marriage! Nothing too major I hope! Okay, here is what I got from large farmer's standpoint. He states: Monsanto is only a chemical compnay that make Round Up ready products (seed). He states that Round Up is the SAFEEST herbicide on the market and a farmer can use 2 quarts to a treat an acrea of crop. He claimns that Round Up ready products are so SAFE that you, me, or anyone can DRINK a gallon of it with no side affects. I told him I'd stand here and watch him drink it. He mentioned he was just repeating what he has been told. Monsanto is not the only company we need to wroory about. All of your smaller seed companies (pioneer, French's, etc) are in on the same thing. Froma farmers stnad point if he can plant 100 acres of soybeans, and have a herbicide kill everything (weeds, disease) BUT the soybean, and cost effectively, why woldnt they? So I went down to the hatchery (it is owned by a large farming family) and asked my bosses hubby a few questions. He too, states he would NEVER try to grow corn, wheat or anything else without a round up ready product due to profitability. I am a little concerned and conflicted about this. I dont agree with it, but I want farmers to fair well. There isnt a safer alternative. Also, I was also told by the Falling Star Farms Owner, that heirloom varieties are great, he plants them as well. But is it still an heirloom, if you cross Heirloom A which has traits of seed vigor, and is resistant to lodging with Heirloom B which is resisitant to leaf disease? Is it still an heirloom? You would most certainly have traits of the orginal heirlooms...and a greater yield due to less loss. So, stating that claim straight from a farmers mouth: I want us to focus energies on saving heirloom varieties. How WE grow them, is up to us. There is a huge difference between organic and heirloom from what I've read and researched. Organic meets criteria established by the gov't...
Here's a USDA Legal Breakdown:
Natural is defined as: a minimally processed food product that contains no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or other addtivies.
Organic: All plants must be grown using guidelines from an approved US list of substances. Products used on, grown in, or planted around the farm must be inspected and approved by USDA to be deemed organic. The USDA strictly prohibits any chemical pestivides but permits diatomaceous earth as insect control and wormer.
Green & Humane: encompasses individuals who raise products in a manner that conserves the enviroment, and surrounding animal/wildlife.
All info from the Book Hobby Farms by Carol Ekarius.
With that said: As I read back through all the posts and compile my journalling notes. I honestly feel that we should focus on the preservation of endangered seed. How we grow it, is up to each of us individually. I am not endorsing chemicals.... I am endorsing heirlooms okay? Just trying to stay a neutral party until I gain more information. One more thing:
Heirloom seed loses vigor year after year. What you had a great crop of this year will not produce as much next year. So we really need to research how to preserve and maintain this vigor as naturally as possible. I found this out first hand. I saved seed from my massive pumpkin patch last year. This year it all rotted in the ground and I have 5 surviving (barely) pumpkin plants. NO buds. NO vines. Maybe I should've used more poop, I dunno. What I Do know is that I wanted my pumpkins to be organic, and I used last years seed and nothing else. Boy, I hope to heck I am not being a owner here. I just feel like maybe I was getting off track with GM seed and such. Dare I say it... what are your thoughts?
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 07:55:19 AM
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Okay I need to amend something in the last post: As a large scale farmer, it behoves HIM to plant round up ready products. As a home gardener, he plants heirloom varieties. I didnt mean to imply otherwise. Are we focusing on the home garender or the large scale farmer?
Its early, ignore my spelling and typo's. Hands are numb....
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
Edited by - deeredawn on Sep 17 2008 07:56:46 AM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 08:17:21 AM
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Dawn- I feel that large scale growers can still grow organic. It is the commercialization that has made us as consumers think that everything needs to be "perfect" like a new car coming off an assembly line. But natural things are by _nature_ not perfect. I would much prefer, for example, that the large tomato growers of the world would use heirloom varieties of tomaotes, use organic practices and produce things with taste instead of perfect beautiful mouthfuls of tasteless pulp and water.
I feel the definition of heirloom is the variety and Organic refers to growing practices.
So if Heirloom variety A cross breeds with Heriloom variety B, I feel that yes, we still have an Heirloom. The thing that bothers me is when people take the plants into the laboratory and do gene splicing to create a whole new sub species of the plant which they then market as the answer or the best seed. AKA Round-up Ready seeds which have ben GM to not die when being sprayed with poison.
So why am I concerned about Round up? This is what I found out from Wikipedia:
Health, ecological concerns and controversy
Roundup has an EPA Toxicity Class of III for oral and inhalation exposure,[10] but more recent studies suggest that IV is appropriate for oral, dermal, and inhalation exposure.[11] It has been rated as class I (Severe) for eye irritation, however.[11] A 2000 review of the available literature concluded that "under present and expected conditions of new use, there is no potential for Roundup herbicide to pose a health risk to humans".[11]
[edit] False advertising
In 1996 Monsanto was accused of false and misleading advertising of glyphosate products, prompting a law suit by the New York State attorney general.[12]
On Fri Jan 20, 2007, Monsanto was convicted of false advertising of Roundup for presenting Roundup as biodegradable and claiming that it left the soil clean after use. Environmental and consumer rights campaigners brought the case in 2001 on the basis that glyphosate, Roundup's main ingredient, is classed as "dangerous for the environment" and "toxic for aquatic organisms" by the European Union. Monsanto France planned to appeal the verdict at the time. [13]
[edit] Scientific fraud
On two occasions the United States Environmental Protection Agency has caught scientists deliberately falsifying test results at research laboratories hired by Monsanto to study glyphosate.[14][15][16] In the first incident involving Industrial Biotest Laboratories, an EPA reviewer stated after finding "routine falsification of data" that it was "hard to believe the scientific integrity of the studies when they said they took specimens of the uterus from male rabbits".[17][18][19] In the second incident of falsifying test results in 1991, the owner of the lab (Craven Labs), and three employees were indicted on 20 felony counts, the owner was sentenced to 5 years in prison and fined 50,000 dollars, the lab was fined 15.5 million dollars and ordered to pay 3.7 million in restitution.[20][21][22] Craven laboratories performed studies for 262 pesticide companies including Monsanto.
Monsanto has stated that the studies have been repeated and that Roundup's EPA certification does not now use any studies from Craven Labs or IBT. Monsanto also claims that the Craven Labs investigation was started by the EPA after a pesticide industry task force discovered irregularities.[23]
[edit] Human and mammalian toxicity
Glyphosate itself is practically nontoxic by ingestion or by skin contact. The acute oral toxicity of Roundup is > 5,000 mg/kg in the rat.[24] It showed no toxic effects when fed to animals for 2 years, and only produced rare cases of reproductive effects when fed in extremely large doses to rodents and dogs. It has not demonstrated any increase in cancer rates in animal studies and is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract. Glyphosate has no significant potential to accumulate in animal tissue. [25][26]
Not only is glyphosate used as five different salts but commercial formulations of it contain surfactants, which vary in nature and concentration. As a result, human poisoning with this herbicide is not with the active ingredient alone but with complex and variable mixtures. [27]
A review of the toxicological data on Roundup shows that there are at least 58 studies of the effects of Roundup itself on a range of organisms.[28] This review concluded that "for terrestrial uses of Roundup minimal acute and chronic risk was predicted for potentially exposed nontarget organisms". It also concluded that there were some risks to aquatic organisms exposed to Roundup in shallow water. More recent research suggests glyphosate induces a variety of functional abnormalities in fetuses and pregnant rats.[29] Also in recent mammalian research, glyphosate has been found to interfere with an enzyme involved testosterone production in mouse cell culture[30] and to interfere with an estrogen biosynthesis enzyme in cultures of Human Placental cells.[31]
Studies have shown that the application of Roundup on wheat crops a week before harvesting results in higher glyphosate residue in the resulting grain and in the baked flour. [32]
The United States Environmental Protection Agency,[33] the EC Health and Consumer Protection Directorate, and the UN World Health Organization have all concluded that pure glyphosate is not carcinogenic. Opponents of glyphosate claim that Roundup has been found to cause genetic damage, citing Peluso et al.[34] The authors concluded that the damage was "not related to the active ingredient, but to another component of the herbicide mixture.
There is a reasonable correlation between the amount of Roundup ingested and the likelihood of serious systemic sequelae or death. Ingestion of >85 mL of the concentrated formulation is likely to cause significant toxicity in adults. Gastrointestinal corrosive effects, with mouth, throat and epigastric pain and dysphagia are common. Renal and hepatic impairment are also frequent and usually reflect reduced organ perfusion. Respiratory distress, impaired consciousness, pulmonary oedema, infiltration on chest x-ray, shock, arrythmias, renal failure requiring haemodialysis, metabolic acidosis and hyperkalaemia may supervene in severe cases. Bradycardia and ventricular arrhythmias are often present pre-terminally. Dermal exposure to ready-to-use glyphosate formulations can cause irritation and photo-contact dermatitis has been reported occasionally; these effects are probably due to the preservative Proxel (benzisothiazolin-3-one). Severe skin burns are very rare. Inhalation is a minor route of exposure but spray mist may cause oral or nasal discomfort, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, tingling and throat irritation. Eye exposure may lead to mild conjunctivitis, and superficial corneal injury is possible if irrigation is delayed or inadequate. [27]
[edit] Aquatic effects
Fish and aquatic invertebrates are more sensitive to Roundup than terrestrial organisms.[28] Glyphosate is generally less persistent in water than in soil, with 12 to 60 day persistence observed in Canadian pond water, yet persistence of over a year have been observed in the sediments of ponds in Michigan and Oregon.[10]
The EU classifies Roundup as R51/53 Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.[35]
Roundup is not registered for aquatic uses[36] and studies of its effects on amphibians indicate it is toxic to them.[37] Glyphosate formulations that are registered for aquatic use have been found to have negligible adverse effects on sensitive amphibians.[38]
[edit] Environmental degradation and effects
When glyphosate comes into contact with the soil it can be rapidly bound to soil particles and be inactivated.[10] Unbound glyphosate can be degraded by bacteria.[39] Roundup has been shown to increase the disease rate in the crop following a sprayed crop, suggesting damaged soil flora. [40]
Low glyphosate concentrations can be found in many creeks and rivers in U.S. and Europe,[citation needed] and in the US glyphosate has been called "relatively persistent" by the EPA.[10]
The EU classifies Roundup as N - Dangerous for the environment [35]
In soils, half lives vary from as little as 3 days at a site in Texas, 141 days at a site in Iowa, to between 1 - 3 years in Swedish forest soils.[22] It appears that more northern sites have the longest soil persistences such as in Canada and Scandinavia.
However, the binding of glyphosate to particulates can be an advantage for the detoxification of industrial toxin-polluted streams containing a wide class of toxicants. Treatment of industrial wastewater using immobilized bacteria showed complete conversion of glyphosate to nontoxic aminomethylphosphonic acid.[41]
A recent study concluded that certain amphibians may be at risk from glyphosate use.[42] One study has shown an effect on growth and survival of earthworms.[43] The results of this study are in conflict with other data and has been criticized on methodological grounds.[28] In other studies nitrogen fixing bacteria have been impaired, and also crop plant susceptibility to disease has been increased.[44][45][46][47][48][49] [40]
Monsanto firmly denies any negative impact on anything, including wildlife, and has many studies it has funded to back up its position.[citation needed] They would also be quick to point out that any possible negative impact on earthworms and nitrogen fixing bacteria, etc., would be offset by greater yields[citation needed], which have not been proven, due to the elimination of weeds, and also would point to soil benefits from less mechanical cultivation of weeds by using Roundup and similar products.
[edit] Endocrine disruptor debate
An in-vitro study[50] has suggested glyphosate may have an effect on progesterone production in mammalian cells and affect mortality of placental cells in-vitro.[31] Whether these studies classify glyphosate as an endocrine disruptor is a matter of debate.
Some believe that in-vitro studies are insufficient, and are waiting to see if animal studies show a change in endocrine activity, since a change in a single cell line may not occur in an entire organism. Additionally, current in-vitro studies expose cell lines to concentrations orders of magnitude greater than would be found in real conditions, and through pathways that would not be experienced in real organism.
Others believe that in-vitro studies, particularly ones identifying not only an effect, but a chemical pathway, are sufficient evidence to classify glyphosate as an endocrine disruptor, on the basis that even small changes in endocrine activity can have lasting effects on an entire organism that may be difficult to detect through whole organism studies alone. Further research on the topic has been planned.
[edit] Glyphosate resistance in weeds and microorganisms
The first documented cases of weed resistance to glyphosate were found in Australia, involving rigid ryegrass near Orange, New South Wales.[51] Some farmers in the United States have expressed concern that weeds are now developing with glyphosate resistance, with 13 states now reporting resistance, and this poses a problem to many farmers, including cotton farmers, that are now heavily dependent on glyphosate to control weeds.[52][53] Farmers associations are now reporting 103 biotypes of weeds within 63 weed species with herbicide resistance, and this will continue to grow as a problem.[52][53]
Some microorganisms have a version of 5-enolpyruvoyl-shikimate-3-phosphate synthetase (EPSPS) that is resistant to glyphosate inhibition. The version used in genetically modified crops was isolated from Agrobacterium strain CP4 (CP4 EPSPS) that was resisitant to glyphosate.[54][55] The CP4 EPSPS gene was cloned and inserted into soybeans. The CP4 EPSPS gene was engineered for plant expression by fusing the 5' end of the gene to a chloroplast transit peptide derived from the petunia EPSPS. This transit peptide was used because it had shown previously an ability to deliver bacterial EPSPS to the chloroplasts of other plants. The plasmid used to move the gene into soybeans was PV-GMGTO4. It contained three bacterial genes, two PC4 EPSPS genes, and a gene encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) from Escherichia coli as a marker. The DNA was injected into the soybeans using the particle acceleration method. Soybean cultivar A54O3 was used for the transformation. The expression of the GUS gene was used as the initial evidence of transformation. GUS expression was detected by a staining method in which the GUS enzyme converts a substrate into a blue precipitate. Those plants that showed GUS expression were then taken and sprayed with glyphosate and their tolerance was tested over many generations.
[edit] Genetically modified crops
In 1996, genetically modified Roundup Ready soybeans resistant to Roundup became commercially available, followed by Roundup Ready corn in 1998.[56] Current Roundup Ready crops include soy, maize (corn), sorghum, canola, alfalfa, and cotton, with wheat still under development. These cultivars greatly improved conventional farmers' ability to control weeds since glyphosate could be sprayed on fields without hurting the crop. As of 2005, 87% of U.S. soybean fields were planted to glyphosate resistant varieties.[57][58] The use of roundup ready crops has changed the herbicide use profile away from atrazine, metribuzin and alachlor. This has the benefit of reducing the dangers of herbicide run off into drinking water.[59] The use of roundup-ready crops has resulted in greater use of roundup, which has created a problem with weeds that are resistant to the herbicide. With greater use, it has become more likely that weeds that are not affected by the herbicide, survive and reproduce and proliferate.[60]
[edit] Tradenames
The Roundup trademark is registered with the US Patent Office and still extant. However, the chemical formulation is no longer under patent, so similar products using glyphosate as the active ingredient are available from other manufacturers and marketed under many names,[61] including Buccaneer, Razor Pro, (41%), Roundup Pro Concentrate (50.2 %), Rodeo (51.2%), Aquaneat (53.8%), and Aquamaster (53.5%)[62]
[edit] Other uses
Glyphosate is one of a number of herbicides used by the United States government to spray Colombian coca fields through Plan Colombia. There are reports that widespread application of glyphosate in attempts to destroy coca crops in South America have resulted in the development of glyphosate-resistant strains of coca known as Boliviana negra, which have been selectively bred to be both "Roundup ready" and also larger and higher yielding than the original strains of the plant. [19][63] However, there are no reports of glyphosate-resistant coca in the peer-reviewed literature.[64] In addition, since spraying of herbicides is not permitted in Colombian national parks, this has encouraged coca growers to move into park areas, cutting down the natural vegetation, and establishing coca plantations within park lands.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22937 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22937 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 08:19:51 AM
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So my big concern is the fact that the Glyphosate doesn't biodegrade like originally stated and that it does have negative effects on the environment even if it is minimally okay for mammals to ingest. I think we are poor stewards of the environment if we only are concerned about ourselves.
However, I am willing to start with small scale gardeners and move up from there! I would love to grow enough heirlooms to sell to a local organic store or food co-op to introduce more people to the great taste of heirlooms!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 08:32:13 AM
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Oh Alee.... thank you thank you thank you! I have been in tears all morning! I just wnated hubby to be proud and stand behind me. He just made some good points and had me pretty rattled because I didnt have immediate answers. I think this chapter is nearer to my heart than I realized to be so weepy about it! I just want to make a DIFFERENCE! I really feel like this is calling to me. I needed that support so bad. Thank you again sister chick~
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
"I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
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Keeping in Touch: Danger of Extinction |
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Danger of Extinction
...I'll get off my soap box now 