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Re: CSA Trends - Responses Received



Really Bargyla, this is so much balderdash and negative
hype about Extension.  What a waste a bandwidth to drudge up
these old hurt feelings. 

You know there is an new saying (i.e., since the 1960s) that 
goes...."chill out!"

The list of really good people working for Extension and
their contributions to organic agriculture/sustainable
agriculture would take days to compile.  

Much less the mountains of excellent literature the USDA-land
grant system has generated. 

In case any farmer has not figured it out, if you don't like
what you get from one Extension dude or dudette, go next
door and try your luck elsewhere.  The real secret is
inter-state networking; i.e., what California may not have
North Carolina State University or Cornell University or Oklahoma State
University or University of Nebraska etc., probably does have.
That is the system. 

Steve Diver
Former Extension Horticulturist, Muskogee County Oklahoma
Former certified organic farm manager 
Current sustainable ag specialist/farm advisor at non-profit
  sustainable farming information center


 
> I am certainly surprised that ANY extension people are willing to help.
> World around, the story I keep getting is that Coop Ext people are next to
> worthless when it comes to helping people.
> 
> Of course, they are usually right on the dot to help the big, wealthy
> growers. Or, they are "hired to do a certain field", and they loudly
> resent being asked any questions that do not fall into their pet fields.
> "My research is in flowers, and I deeply resent being asked to respond to
> other topics."
> 
> I also think it is outrageous for them to charge for publications. They
> already get whopping salaries, plus free car use and gasoline, free office
> and office help and postage, phone use, etc.  People pay taxes to support
> all this, for the benefit of the wealthy growers, and still they can't
> even offer a writeup on a topic without charging for it.
> All literature used to be free--that is, paid by the taxes received.
> 
> Meetings used to be free, but now they are charged--$20. What on earth
> for? These people get well paid, very well paid, and yet they cannot put
> on a simple meeting without charging. I once asked a direct question--What
> is the $20 for?
>    I was told, for the coffee and donuts.  Items I have too much sense to
> ingest.
> 
> I should think that whoever gets any help with CSA work, from any farm
> advisor, would be very grateful for such a rare kindness, for a Coop ext
> person to stoop so low.
> 
> B. Rateaver
> 




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