Re: Scotts Company & USBG

D* G* K*

But the way to accomplish things is to maintain communication with the
sinner, not martyr them.      Money always talks louder than poverty.    

On Sun, 21 Nov 1999 16:02:16 -0500 "kristina & bruce"
<kjwbdw@gateway.net> writes:
>Hi,
>
>I think that even if one disagrees with Laura about every use of 
>chemical
>fertilizers and pesticides being irresponsible, she is absolutely 
>correct
>the industry itself is irresponsible - they are a greedy collection 
>of
>pirates (to be diplomatic) that have absolute control over the flow 
>of
>information received by the public.   The industry viewpoint dominates 
>our
>government - public buildings are surrounded by featureless expanses 
>of
>chemically treated lawn while university researchers, Extension 
>offices and
>state regulators are funded to give an official stamp of approval to 
>any
>frivolous use of pesticides.  Industry tosses some scraps to a few 
>deserving
>organization and their public relations machine spends far more to 
>advertise
>the act of charity.  We have to remember industry advertising is the 
>only
>information most people ever receive about the industry and the use 
>of
>chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
>
>We can only blame the industry for the mis-use of fertilizers and 
>pesticides
>because its their advertising that encourages it.  If ads aren't 
>showing The
>Lawn Ranger dueling dandelions with Roundup at high noon, they trot 
>out
>folksy testimonials for the joys of MiracleGrow.  Those images loom 
>far
>larger than fine print on the back label.  We are raised to believe a 
>garden
>consists of rows of perfect plants in a moon-scape without an insect 
>or wild
>plant in sight and fairs give their prizes to the biggest, most 
>featureless
>tomato.  Our society is not yet ready to tackle the question of 
>whether
>there is a responsible use for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  
>Start
>with the question of whether industry should be able to manage the 
>actions
>of our government and dominate the flow of information to the public.  
>The
>mis-use of pesticides and fertilizers is only one part of the 
>problem.
>
>Bruce Wittchen
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Laura McKenzie <laurabrownmckenzie@worldnet.att.net>
>To: community_garden@mallorn.com <community_garden@mallorn.com>
>Date: Sunday, November 21, 1999 12:26 PM
>Subject: Re: [cg] Scotts Company & USBG
>
>
>>Hi,
>>   I'd like to respectfully disagree.  You see I was watching a
>>Sunday "news" program one morning where a segment came on about
>>using diazanon to get rid of ants. The segment was labeled news
>>but the person being interviewed was a chemical company
>>representative. When asked if it was safe to let your kids and
>>animals play outside after applying the diazanon (a spreader
>>was
>>recommended to do this) the rep said, "Sure. It won't hurt
>>animals or kids. They can play on it barefoot!"  Read the back
>>of the bag of that stuff ... would you let your kids play
>>barefoot on it?" (I am quoting exactly what was said.)  Do you
>>think its fair to mislead the public who perhaps can't research
>>every product that is dumped on them and labeled "safe"?  These
>>companies carry out a program of misinformation and mislead the
>>public in order to boost their profits.
>>
>>  And as I said before I frankly feel there is NO responsible
>>use of herbicides (Scotts is the main pusher of this product),
>>chemical fertilizers or pesticides.  There is also no excuse to
>>use them.   I'm happy to offer up many many ideas as to how to
>>get along without chemicals.  Who wants to spend money on them
>>when you can  be so much nicer to all of us on this earth by
>>not using them?
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Dawn G Kazmer <dgkazmer@juno.com>
>>To: <laurabrownmckenzie@worldnet.att.net>
>>Cc: <community_garden@mallorn.com>
>>Sent: Saturday, November 20, 1999 6:58 AM
>>Subject: Re: [cg] Scotts Company & USBG
>>
>>
>>> Blaming Scotts or any other company for the consumer's
>>ignorance and, or
>>> over use of chemicals is like blaming the farmer for all the
>>fat people
>>> who eat too much and exercise too little.
>>> We must each read directions and be responsible for the
>>decisions we
>>> make that wreck the environment for future generations.
>>Investments
>>> of time and effort should return a gain for the investor.
>>There are
>>> times when chemicals have helped many gardeners.
>>Different strokes
>>> for different folks!
>>>
>>> On Fri, 19 Nov 1999 10:04:24 -0600 "Laura McKenzie"
>>> <laurabrownmckenzie@worldnet.att.net> writes:
>>> >I agree with Cyndy.  When problems with our environment
>>reach a
>>> >critical level, perhaps we'll have more believers but its a
>>> >shame to have to wait until that time.
>>> >    Considering that chemicals interrupt important processes
>>of
>>> >beneficial microbes, fertilizers are dumped into water
>>causing
>>> >over population of harmful microbes and decimation of animal
>>> >populations, the manufactor of the chemicals pollute our air
>>> >and water, and the transportation of massive amounts of
>>these
>>> >chemicals to retail stores causes more pollution, I'm
>>surprised
>>> >to find too many can truly think that Scotts or any other
>>> >fertilizer processor (pun intended) can be called
>>responsible,
>>> >respectable companies.
>>> >   Since I live in an area that is less than perfect for
>>> >growing food, I can speak from experience that it is
>>entirely
>>> >possible no matter the circumstances to better the quality
>>of
>>> >the environment and garden and life by doing without any
>>type
>>> >of chemicals what so ever.  If anyone would like some easy
>>to
>>> >follow, helpful hints, I stand ready to share my experience.
>>> >  I for one am not willing to let any chemical company have
>>> >even a small portion of my hard earned funds when they so
>>> >willing put profit before quality of human life and even
>>before
>>> >the quality of health of human life.
>>> >Laura McKenzie
>>> >
>>> >----- Original Message -----
>>> >From: Jim Flint <jimf@garden.org>
>>> >To: community_garden@mallorn <community_garden@mallorn.com>;
>>> >Cyndy Ross <cynross@tir.com>
>>> >Sent: Friday, November 19, 1999 9:03 AM
>>> >Subject: [cg] Scotts Company & USBG
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >>
>>> >> Cyndy,
>>> >>
>>> >> I respect your viewpoint on the use of synthetic chemicals
>>> >and am equally
>>> >> concerned about environmental quality. I also respect that
>>> >within the world
>>> >> of community gardeners, there are a diversity of
>>perspectives
>>> >and issues
>>> >> regarding growing methods.
>>> >>
>>> >> My original response was based on reading your email
>>posting
>>> >and the
>>> >> article that was attached. Where we differ in is how we
>>> >looked at the USBG
>>> >> press release and perhaps in our perspectives on what
>>makes a
>>> >socially
>>> >> responsible company.
>>> >>
>>> >> In my opinion, the comparison between Scotts, tobacco, and
>>> >drug dealers is
>>> >> unfair. On the other hand, as Judy Tiger suggests, we as
>>> >community
>>> >> gardeners may have an opportunity to have an influence
>>> >(through effective
>>> >> advocacy) on the Scotts product line and on the
>>horticultural
>>> >practices
>>> >> that are used at the US Botanical Garden.
>>> >>
>>> >> I've found Scotts to be a pretty responsive company to
>>> >gardeners, and I'll
>>> >> forward along messages, concerns, and ideas from the ACGA
>>> >List Serve
>>> >> directly to the company. Scotts web site also has a
>>comment
>>> >section where
>>> >> email comments can be sent directly to at
>>> >> <http://www.scottscompany.com/html/contact.cfm>
>>> >>
>>> >> So let's move to a step of sharing ideas and information,
>>and
>>> >see what
>>> >> postive steps can result.
>>> >>
>>> >> Peace,
>>> >>
>>> >> Jim
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> At 11:00 AM 11/18/1999 -0500, you wrote:
>>> >> >Jim
>>> >> >
>>> >> >Your response tells me you did not read the attached
>>> >article.  Perhaps you
>>> >> >did not receive it.  Here is the website address
>>> >> >http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/nat_garden/ng_updates.html
>>Please
>>> >review for
>>> >> >yourself.  If you still need more information on what
>>> >synthetic chemicals
>>> >> >are doing to our gifted planet, I'd be happy to pass
>>along
>>> >more resources to
>>> >> >you.  Also, please refer to the ACGA's archived files.
>>By
>>> >all means, I
>>> >> >encourage everyone to become more educated, particularly
>>> >when it comes to
>>> >> >topics such as this.....propaganda is no better than
>>gossip
>>> >& just as
>>> >> >destructive.  'Tis far better to persuade people to do
>>the
>>> >right thing.
>>> >> >
>>> >> >I don't doubt the Scott's company does "good deeds" nor
>>do I
>>> >criticize the
>>> >> >generosity.  Yet, I do criticize how & where the revenue
>>is
>>> >earned in order
>>> >> >to make such a substantial donate.  Character always
>>> >matters.  Good deeds do
>>> >> >not cancel bad ones if the bad ones continue.  Just like
>>one
>>> >of the major
>>> >> >objections (among the 95) Dr. Martin Luther had with the
>>> >Roman Catholic
>>> >> >Church in the 16th century, 'you can't buy indulgences to
>>> >replace remorse or
>>> >> >repentance for forgiveness'.  Would you have a problem
>>with
>>> >drug dealers or
>>> >> >terrorists funding much need school programs?   Or,
>>tobacco
>>> >companies
>>> >> >funding cancer wings in hospitals while continuing to
>>> >advertise cigarettes
>>> >> >to teenagers?
>>> >> >
>>> >> >Many postings on this site, particularly over the past
>>few
>>> >months, have
>>> >> >provided substantial resources concerning the detriment
>>of
>>> >synthetic
>>> >> >chemicals to our precious earth, including 'Roundup'.
>>One
>>> >of the main
>>> >> >offending products Scotts company offers is "Roundup".
>>> >Other leading
>>> >> >products by Scotts company:  Miracle-Gro (makes plants
>>> >deplete nutrients out
>>> >> >of the soil at an unnatural accelerated rate, faster than
>>> >nutrients are
>>> >> >added), Miracid, Ortho, Hyponex, EarthGro, & Osmocate.
>>What
>>> >good is
>>> >> >donating food contaminated with chemicals if people
>>become
>>> >sick (i.e.
>>> >> >cancer).  John Hopkins' Hospital recently had articles
>>> >verifying pesticides
>>> >> >can cause cancer.  Granted, I'm not sure if the
>>pesticides
>>> >they tested were
>>> >> >from Scotts.  However, it raises an extremely valid
>>question
>>> >to ask &
>>> >> >investigate.
>>> >> >
>>> >> >I have been told by a biology professor (graduate level)
>>> >that healthy soil
>>> >> >contains micro-organisms & nutrients registering in the
>>> >millions per square
>>> >> >foot (or inch ?).  And, that in controlled experiments
>>> >synthetic chemicals
>>> >> >have dramatically reduce the numbers to mid-hundreds.
>>This
>>> >greatly affects
>>> >> >plants & all those relying on the growth of plants.
>>> >Therefore, this is a
>>> >> >much bigger picture than "passionate feelings" & has more
>>to
>>> >do with simple
>>> >> >rights & wrongs of stewardship.
>>> >> >
>>> >> >Thank you for taking the time to respond.  Peace be with
>>> >you.
>>> >> >
>>> >> >Sincerely,
>>> >> >Cyndy Ross, Chairperson
>>> >> >SLLC Organic Community Garden
>>> >> >Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> >-----Original Message-----
>>> >> >From: Jim Flint <jimf@garden.org>
>>> >> >To: community_garden@mallorn
>><community_garden@mallorn.com>;
>>> >Cyndy Ross
>>> >> ><cynross@tir.com>
>>> >> >Date: Thursday, November 18, 1999 9:40 AM
>>> >> >Subject: [cg] Scotts Company & USBG
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>Cyndy,
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>Your note on the ACGA list serve caught my eye this
>>> >morning. Could you
>>> >> >>could provide more information on how Scott's products
>>are
>>> >destroying the
>>> >> >>soil and harming our ecosystem. Is this a general
>>> >indictment for all
>>> >> >>Scott's products, or are there specific products that
>>are
>>> >of concern?
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>Looking at this issue from another perspective,
>>questions
>>> >arise when a
>>> >> >>garden-based company makes a gift to a public garden and
>>> >then is criticized
>>> >> >>in a community forum for their generosity.
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>Perhaps before community gardeners are encouraged to fax
>>> >notes to the
>>> >> >>director of the US Botanical Garden, Robert Hansen,
>>there
>>> >might be more
>>> >> >>information available from differing viewpoints for
>>members
>>> >of the
>>> >> >>community garden list serve to consider.
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>For example .... Scotts has been extremely generous in
>>> >providing support
>>> >> >>for Plant A Row for the Hungry, which is sponsored by
>>the
>>> >Garden Writers of
>>> >> >>America. This program is active in hundreds of community
>>> >gardens throughout
>>> >> >>the country and helps Food Banks by encouraging
>>donations
>>> >of fresh produce.
>>> >> >>Scotts has also provided financial support for community
>>
>>> >parks, school, and
>>> >> >>youth garden programs that have a positive impact on
>>> >thousands of children.
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>While as community gardeners we have passionate feelings
>>> >about the earth,
>>> >> >>let's open this issue up to some discussion and work in
>>a
>>> >collaborative way
>>> >> >>to advocate for community gardening and protection of
>>our
>>> >ecosystem,
>>> >> >>without alienating companies like Scotts who actively
>>> >support community and
>>> >> >>school gardening efforts.
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>Sincerely,
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>Jim Flint
>>> >> >>Youth Garden Grants Director
>>> >> >>National Gardening Association
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>At 01:41 PM 11/17/1999 -0500, you wrote:
>>> >> >>>Did you realize that our US Botanical Garden is being
>>> >supported by "The
>>> >> >>>Scott's Company"? The conflict, however, is that
>>Scott's
>>> >> >>produce/manufacture >products which destroy the soil &
>>in
>>> >turn, harm our
>>> >> >>delicate ecosystem. Rather >than purpetuating the sale &
>>> >manufacture of
>>> >> >>such harmful products to "buy >indulgences" via
>>supporting
>>> >The National
>>> >> >>Garden, we would all be much better >off if they just
>>> >ceased & desist. If
>>> >> >>you are as appalled by this adultery as I >am, please
>>> >> >>>contact the Executive Director, Robert Hansen, fax
>>(202)
>>> >225-7910.
>>> >> >Thank
>>> >> >>>you for your time.   Peace Be With You, Cyndy Ross,
>>> >Chairperson SLLC
>>> >> >>>Organic Community Garden Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church
>>2399
>>> >Figa Avenue W.
>>> >> >>>Bloomfield, MI 48324-1808   zone 6A
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >>_______________________________________________
>>> >> >>community_garden maillist  -
>>community_garden@mallorn.com
>>> >>
>>>
>>>>>https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >> >
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> community_garden maillist  -  community_garden@mallorn.com
>>> >>
>>https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >_______________________________________________
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>>> >https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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