Fascinating! The results of the spray on cotton are incredible, and so good to remember how much important work is happening around the world that I just don’t know about. Thanks for a great post :)
What an interesting range of topics, Sally, thank you for sharing these ideas. Pesticides are such a big problem throughout the world yet they continue to be used in excess because they can be patented and sold at vast prices. The recipe you shared for attracting benefitials would probably cost a fraction of that and can't be patented so there is not much business incentive to promote it.
ORFC is such a wonderful gathering with so many topics covered and there is always something for the gardener. The work of the Pesticide Action Network is so important - the farmer schools are really showing smallholder farmers that there is another way forward.
Another fascinating read - thank you for providing these updates from the presenters. The biopest control is a very exciting idea -esp following your note regarding UK chemical companies selling banned substances abroad. These are devastating, as you pointed out, not just the environment, but the people and the economy (buying products that cost lots instead of using/making a local product that is better all around). I look forward to hearing how this progresses!
Thanks Lisa. I was gobsmacked at the numbers of farmers and smallholders world wide who are poisoned or harmed by pesticides every year. They are sold these chemicals with little thought as to how they might apply them or protect themselves. The agrochem companies have got them in a corner - they have sprayed their crops, destroyed the predators and then are caught in a downward spiral . I just hope the food spray idea work on other crops and we see more of these farmers taking up the idea - I am minded to try to make a spray using fermented Brewers yeast
I find myself thinking that maybe I can put off starting a rain collection system until next year... This is a good reminder that no, I should definitely start now.
Fascinating! The results of the spray on cotton are incredible, and so good to remember how much important work is happening around the world that I just don’t know about. Thanks for a great post :)
Thank you Alice - more to come next week!
What an interesting range of topics, Sally, thank you for sharing these ideas. Pesticides are such a big problem throughout the world yet they continue to be used in excess because they can be patented and sold at vast prices. The recipe you shared for attracting benefitials would probably cost a fraction of that and can't be patented so there is not much business incentive to promote it.
ORFC is such a wonderful gathering with so many topics covered and there is always something for the gardener. The work of the Pesticide Action Network is so important - the farmer schools are really showing smallholder farmers that there is another way forward.
You'd think farmers and growers would be clamouring to find out more about biopest control
It's really strange - it takes a bit of effort to make - is it because it's not off the shelf. No fact sheet? Or a lack of confidence to make changes
Another fascinating read - thank you for providing these updates from the presenters. The biopest control is a very exciting idea -esp following your note regarding UK chemical companies selling banned substances abroad. These are devastating, as you pointed out, not just the environment, but the people and the economy (buying products that cost lots instead of using/making a local product that is better all around). I look forward to hearing how this progresses!
Thanks Lisa. I was gobsmacked at the numbers of farmers and smallholders world wide who are poisoned or harmed by pesticides every year. They are sold these chemicals with little thought as to how they might apply them or protect themselves. The agrochem companies have got them in a corner - they have sprayed their crops, destroyed the predators and then are caught in a downward spiral . I just hope the food spray idea work on other crops and we see more of these farmers taking up the idea - I am minded to try to make a spray using fermented Brewers yeast
I find myself thinking that maybe I can put off starting a rain collection system until next year... This is a good reminder that no, I should definitely start now.
Now is definitely the time ! your garden will benefit - from slowing the flow in winter to harvesting in summer - win win