8A ACRES of Western Ohio | February Issue
Local farmer speaks on sustainability By Michael Zimmerman mzimmerman@civitasmedia.com
There has been a big debate here in the United States and across the pond in Europe concerning the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agri-
culture. On the one hand, those in the agriculture industr y argue that the use of genetically modified crops reduce the need of pesticides, and allows for larger yields without the use of extra chemicals. On the other side, some argue that genetic engineering is
Ever yone is involved with agriculture By Matt Aultman “If you ate today, thank a farmer,” many have seen these bumper stickers on vehicles throughout the country, but if you think about this statement, it involves more than a farmer. What got me thinking about this is when I recently went to the American Farm Bureau Annual meeting in Nashville, and it opened up my mind to how diverse agriculture is. We have so many different shapes and sizes of those involved and how they all
are intertwined. I met many different people from someone who was a food processor to someone who raises a cut-your-own tulip market. I also attended a session on the how to interact with those not actively involved with production agriculture and it opened my eyes to a different point of view. This gave me a great idea; how many occupations are out there that are agriculture related? It may surprise you, because it did me! So here is a partial list of occupations that I have compiled that are a part of
unethical, transferring genes from one organism to another. Preble County farmer Keith Kemp, also a director of the United Soybean Council, recently addressed the advances in biotechnology and sustainability at the CropWorld Global 2012 conference in London, England. “It’s a social thing there,” Kemp said. “They don’t allow GMO products in the EU, and farmers aren’t able to keep up with us.” According to Kemp, England alone will need to import 40 percent of its
food supply, and the use of GMO technology could help reduce that number. “Their farmers can’t compete with us,” Kemp said. “I visited some farms over there, and they aren’t allowed to use some of our sprays and GMO products. It’s really hurting their output.” Kemp said GMO techniques have been used in the United States for a long time, and there is a stigma against the foods. “They think it’s frankenstein food,” he said. “We’ve had GMO in this countr y for 15 years, but over in Eu-
rope, it’s become a social issue. We have to keep education going, do some more education with them.” Those in favor of the use of GMO argue that genetic modification isn’t new, and has been done for thousands of years. The argument is that genetic engineering is just a new form of biotechnology. For Kemp, the use of GMO creates a more sustainable agricultural system, something needed in Europe. “The new buzzword in the EU is sustainability,”
agriculture: agronomists; animal science; bakers; barley producers; beekeepers; biologists; brewers/distillery producers; cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goat, rabbit, deer, elk, buffalo and any other one I missed; producers (both for meat production and breeding stock supplier); clothing manufacturers; corn syrup production; corn, soybean and wheat production; cotton producers; dairy farmer; drainage technicians; educators; engineers; equipment dealers; ethanol production; feed manufacturers; fertilizer and herbicide suppliers; flower, nursery stock and greenhouse production; food manufacturer; forestry management; gardener; genetic scientists; grain millers; grocery; hay/forage producer; herb production; landscapers; lumber; machinists/mill-
wrights; maple syrup production; mechanical engineers; milo producers; nutritionists; orchard/fruit production; organic farm product producer; peanuts producers; petroleum companies; rice producer; seafood producers; sod producers; soybean oil production; spelt’s producers; tobacco producers; tree nut producers; vegetable/produce production; veterinarians; water quality management; wildlife management; lawyers, accountants and legislators (yes, they are involved with agriculture to either defend, follow or make the rules for those involved with agriculture), and last, but not least anyone who cooks and eats.
I know this is a surprising list and I’m sure I’ve missed a few, but look at it see if you can find one or more of these that you are a part of. This list is just to show how diverse agriculture is and how many people are involved in agriculture that touches our lives on a daily basis. I suggest that we need to change the slogan from the “If you ate today, thank a farmer” to “If you ate today, thank your neighbor.” We are all involved in this!” Matt Aultman is the Chairman of the Darke Co.
Kemp said. “We’re using GMO, and we’re more sustainable than anywhere in the world.” That was the message Kemp took to London, where he delivered the keynote speech on the improving sustainability in US agriculture. Though there is a fight against genetic modification, Kemp is for increasing the food output for increasing populations. Michael Zimmerman is a staff writer at The RegisterHerald in Eaton.
Chamber Ag Committee and Chairman-elect of the Darke Co. Farm Bureau. He can be reached at darkecountyfarmer@gmail.com for comments.
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