Excellent article on CSAs

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Sun May 04, 2008 7:30 pm

One of the best arguments I've read for CSAs:

http://tinyurl.com/3qdhh4

Paul Schrimpf · Post by **Paul Schrimpf** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:27 am

There are some pretty gross generalizations about production agriculture in this piece. I always cast a jaundiced eye at articles that use the term "chemical fertilizers," which makes absolutely no sense. What's used in production ag is nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, derived from mining and "processed" to provide the desired ratio.

If people can afford to pay for "organic" food, and buy locally grown, I think it's super. But I don't understand why production ag always has to be villified in the process.

chris richards · Post by **chris richards** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:37 am

It's not just about chemical fertilizers, it's also about quality. A while back I heard a Science Friday program about how our current agricultural system produces fruits and vegetables that have less flavor.

you can listen to the show here: http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200707204

Paul Schrimpf · Post by **Paul Schrimpf** » Mon May 05, 2008 12:51 pm

Awesome. With greater demand will come increased attention to, and production of, a wider range of foods grown in a wider range of production styles. Bring em on. I've spent the last decade covering production ag, and these folks are feeding the masses. There are real growers behind the Cargills, ADMs, et. al., who do good work. They so often get dismissed as hacks beholden to corporations in the environmental blogs/Websites/Press.

We can support local growers and the concept of buying local where possible without laying wood to everyone else, in my view.