California’s Proposition 37 did not pass this week. At first
I was disappointed, and now I am motivated to do more. My best friend and I
decided we are going to collect seeds for a time capsule to pass onto our
grandchildren to be able to plant wholesome food in the future. We were just
joking on Facebook, and then I learned there are people who are actually
hoarding Non-GMO seeds in deep freezers across the country!! It made me smile
to know we are not the only ones thinking about what it will take to assure whole
foods for future generations (and I do have a deep freeze that is in need of
being filled…)
Then, another friend posted a comment on my Facebook page
asking what the big deal was with GMO or Non-GMO labels?
Well, the big deal is
our health!
This is where the motivation comes in… Let the positive
education begin!
Seed hoarding should not be the way we pass on healthy food
to the future. The great thing about California and the masses heading to the
polls with this hot issue is that there are now more educational tools, resources, and
advocacy groups available for people everywhere to learn more about GMO’s.
Just in case you don’t know, GMO stands for genetically
modified organisms. Scientists have discovered ways to make a seed durable
enough to grow after pesticides are applied. So the insects and weeds die, but
not the actual crop. National Geographic has a great little online article (Link
#1 below) defining organic and GMO crops, and explaining the differences.
GMO’s are in everything. You name it, cereal, crackers,
breads, and yes - even meats.
For years I have avoided GMO foods, mostly because there was
no research on either side explaining what effects genetically modified foods
may have on our body or our environment.
People have made fun of me and called uppity, a hippie,
and well…I just say I have been healthy! There is finally research on the
effect of GMO’s. Sadly, it doesn’t look good for the human body. A group of scientists
in France did a study on the long-term effects of GMO consumption. Natural news
published some of the outcomes and the findings are overwhelmingly negative:
• Up to 50% of males and 70% of females suffered premature death.
• Rats that drank trace amounts of Roundup (at levels legally allowed in the
water supply) had a 200% to 300%
increase in large tumors.
• Rats fed GM corn and traces of Roundup suffered severe organ damage including liver damage and kidney damage.
• The study fed these rats NK603,
the Monsanto variety of GM corn that's grown across North America and widely
fed to animals and humans. This is the same corn that's in your corn-based
breakfast cereal, corn tortillas and corn snack chips.
The study is entitled, "A Comparison of the Effects of
Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health." The
pictures of the rats are horrible, and not ones I want to publish. It
tears my heart and then makes me think of all of the sickness, disease and the high rate
of cancer that we have right here at home. Eating organic just became even more
important to me than ever before.
I’ve
daydreamed about winning the lottery and what I would do with millions of
dollars. The funny thing is that I have been in non-profit way too long and I don’t
imagine spending all of that money on myself. Instead, I would create and fund
a nonprofit designed to advocate, support, expand and sustain organic farming. Not because I am a huger farmer, or come from a farming family. Rather, I see this as one of the ways to make the largest impact on so many of the issues facing the world today including environmental, hunger, and sustainability.
 |
| Daydreaming is best in fields full of flowers |
I would love to be able see farmland that goes up for auction purchased and put in the hands of an organic farmer (a lot of money would be
invested in this). I know that some of the barriers facing young people (well
people of any age) who would like to farm are the costs. The cost of land,
equipment and for an organic farmer the licensing, training, and legal fees is
exorbitant. Legal fees is one area where I have read organic farmers have the
most trouble, especially when going up against corporate giants like Monsanto.
My
lottery-funded program would loan organic farmers acreages and provide monetary
loans for equipment in exchange for supporting the other parts of the program. In
exchange, farmers participating would help to train and support other young
people interested in organic farming methods. After so many years the land is
theirs, with the stipulation they donate back to the program with their time,
talent, and wholesome food to help feed
those in need. It is a daydream, but any time you want to buy me a lottery
ticket, I promise the winnings would be put to good use!
((And for people that know me really well, yes this is my
secret plot to feed the hungry and change the world. This program would provide
wholesome, healthy food, directly from farmers to those in need. Low-income
families say that the price of fresh fruit and vegetables are too high and this
program would go right to the source to provide these items to those people who
need it most… Wouldn’t it be great to see crates of fresh vegetables shipped to
the food bank in the poorest counties in the US? …Yeah, I think this program
would rock!!!))
Back to reality from my millionaire daydream
world….
While
researching, I found the organization Cornucopia, which is already providing
resources and support to organic farmers! Hooray!
Cornucopia
is advocating and helping to educate the public on organic foods, the effects
of genetically modified crops, etc. They are also helping to raise dollars to support
organic farmers in large lawsuits!
I
wholeheartedly recommend a nice long visit to the Cornucopia website. Become a member,
donate, get involved, and make a difference. The only way we as Americans are
going to be able to stand up to corporate lobbyists is through education and
lobbying efforts for what is good and wholesome
And - Good news Iowa!! According to a USDA study, Iowa ranks #5 in the
number of certified organic farms in the USA. That is a start, Go Iowa!!
Now, the
big question is: What do we do? What steps can we take to get regulations in
place to label our food and help preserve natural farming methods?
How can
we make a difference so the next time a vote comes up to label food, it is
done?
Learn
more:
National
Geographic Link
Natural
News – with review of GMO Study
Cornucopia Website
Iowa Dept. of Agriculture Release on Organic Farming
