Lack of appreciation threatens farm output

Unrealistic demands are being made on farmers to protect animals and plants

Don Curlee
For the Capital Press

March 28, 2008

It promises to be a challenging task to explain to perky soccer moms and their families that some of the radical environmentalist regulations they support are threats to California agriculture and basic food production.

While enjoying the products of the nation's largest agricultural producer, from breakfast foods to sideline snacks, and from sumptuous meals to quick after-the-game treats, they often favor environmentalist movements and unrealistic demands that make it increasingly difficult and expensive for farmers to produce their favorite foods.

Soccer moms are just a symbol in this equation. The segment of the food-consuming public that is being hoodwinked by radical environmentalist propaganda is much broader and often shallower in thought than the soccer mom contingent.

From this quadrant come the demands to produce wholesome food using only land that is not occupied by a long list of critters most have never seem, maintaining the smallest possible carbon footprint, using the minimum amount of water, and doing it without putting dust or pesticide residues into the atmosphere.

Throughout history, it has been prudent for civilizations to set aside certain areas for the production of food. Radical environmentalists and their followers can support doing that only if some endangered species haven't staked a claim to those areas first.

Had the enviros been around, grinding out their propaganda messages, the friars and fathers would not have dared to clear the land of endangered weeds or wildlife to plant their Old World crops. And before them, Native Americans would have had to curtail buffalo hunts, corn planting and acorn grinding to protect the indigenous flora and fauna, perhaps starving in the process.

If farmers have a word of response for the soccer moms, their urban neighbors and the enviros it is "Get real in regard to your food expectations!" That comes from people who are accustomed to living in harmony with the environment every day. Early on, farmers met the initial blasts from the out-of-control enviros by clinging to the legitimate claim that they are the original environmentalists themselves. However, fewer farmers seem willing to be identified with the environmental movement. Many of them scoff when a non-farmer suggests they should be.

The American civilization has unofficially set aside land for food production. In fly-over country, the basics of wheat, corn, soybeans, hogs and beef are produced. Other areas produce several dietary treats, but the tasty and colorful fresh fruit and vegetable delicacies are produced in quantity primarily in California . Other areas, even other nations, can produce some of these goodies. But the dynamic of California's 350 commercial crops grown in a unique setting of favorable climate, rich soil, ample water for irrigation and people willing to take the risks of production must be acknowledged and preserved.To trample these assets underfoot in a crazed mentality to maintain habitat for creatures and plant life identifiable by less than 1 percent of the population is pure folly.

Supporting movements and regulations that bring that about is at its worst insanity, at its best, stupidity.

So, if you find a soccer mom, perhaps on the sideline of a local playing field subsidized by the school district, or exiting her SUV in the supermarket parking lot, you might send some positive vibes her way. If nothing else comes to mind, echo the thought of many California farmers by projecting the message: "Get real!"

Don Curlee is a veteran ag publications editor and ag freelancer in Clovis , Calif. E-mail: agwriter1@sbcglobal.net. 

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