Mar 17 2008
GardenShare and Agricultural Justice
Elizabeth Henderson from the Agricultural Justice Project writes, that although the growth of large-scale organic farms
…still carries with it the benefit of reducing pesticide use in agriculture, these new organic farms often perpetuate the injustices present in agriculture in general -inadequate income for small-scale farmers and exploitative working conditions for farmworkers.
The article goes on to refer to a number of workers’ rights lawsuits against organic producers on the West coast. As Henderson points out, the organic label covers growing practices, not labor conditions. Yet another reason to buy from your local farmer, rather than Del Monte!
Greetings.
I was so very thrilled to read your message yesterday, and equally as thrilled to read through your blog.
My apprenticeship was in Columbia county NY, just at the MA / CT border. The farm is in an area between the Berkshires and the Hudson river. Most of our produce was for feeding the village where I lived (it is a semi- self-sustainable community). We also held a small CSA program for individuals who worked in the community but lived elsewhere, and we sold our excess vegetables at a local open-air farm market in the city of Hudson. I don’t know if you have specific questions? but I love to talk about gardening / my apprenticeship so do feel free to contact me via email.
Also, feel free to share my photos.