11-25-2013, 03:28 AM
Richard says:
"Instead it makes the farmers and ranchers who provide 90% of the food produced on the Big Island less competitive."
First of all; the ninety percent you speak of only produce a small fraction of the food we consume here. The vast majority is imported.
Second; If the farmers and ranchers that produce the ninety percent can't see that people want more sustainable farming methods, they indeed will suffer a loss in profit(your agricultural yardstick).
What do you think is going to happen? Do you think people are going to starve, or are the 10% of farmers that practice sustainable agriculture going to grow in numbers?
What about us "Rubbah Slippah" folk? For one, we can grow a lot of organic produce in our own back yard. Two charter schools on the Island; HAAS and Connections, are developing an automatic compact, inexpensive, organic hydroponic system that puts out a larger yeild than a much larger conventional garden. It does this with almost no maintenance, weeding or watering. Us Rubbah Slippah folks just go out and pick a fresh salad daily, without worrying about pesticides, growth hormones, chemical preservatives, or the profits of farmers who choose to grow with them.
Look for inexpensive workshops in Hilo and Puna soon, to get people started.
The loss of profits for the ninety percent won't be because of County legislation, it will be because they won't adjust to consumer needs.
"Instead it makes the farmers and ranchers who provide 90% of the food produced on the Big Island less competitive."
First of all; the ninety percent you speak of only produce a small fraction of the food we consume here. The vast majority is imported.
Second; If the farmers and ranchers that produce the ninety percent can't see that people want more sustainable farming methods, they indeed will suffer a loss in profit(your agricultural yardstick).
What do you think is going to happen? Do you think people are going to starve, or are the 10% of farmers that practice sustainable agriculture going to grow in numbers?
What about us "Rubbah Slippah" folk? For one, we can grow a lot of organic produce in our own back yard. Two charter schools on the Island; HAAS and Connections, are developing an automatic compact, inexpensive, organic hydroponic system that puts out a larger yeild than a much larger conventional garden. It does this with almost no maintenance, weeding or watering. Us Rubbah Slippah folks just go out and pick a fresh salad daily, without worrying about pesticides, growth hormones, chemical preservatives, or the profits of farmers who choose to grow with them.
Look for inexpensive workshops in Hilo and Puna soon, to get people started.
The loss of profits for the ninety percent won't be because of County legislation, it will be because they won't adjust to consumer needs.