[Terrapreta] Terra Preta and Food Production

[Jon C. Frank]

Nice points David,

I have long maintained that the use of Terra preta must me kept in the
context of growing nutrient dense foods.

Quality food is the real issue for more people than a debatable abstract
concept of carbon sequestration to save us from drowning as the polar ice
caps melt.

What matters to many more people is if they have food for their family and
secondly if the food is good enough nutritionally to kept them away from
drugs and surgery from degenerative diseases.

The good news is that as we produce quality foods we will send carbons
downward into the soil automatically.  Since nutrient dense foods are worth
more money than the cheap junk so common in our stores farmers will have
more money to incorporate additional carbons in the soil.

Abstract ideas about how bad the environment will be if farmers don't put
Terra preta into the soil just won't cut it.  They must be paid for
producing a good crop at better than commodity prices.

The primary use of terra preta is an aid in the production of quality food.
This is a sellable idea.  The incidental result will be carbon
sequestration.

If the primary use of terra preta is just carbon sequestration then you no
longer have a sellable idea and all you have left is a bunch of bureaucrats
talking in the wind or another tax--both pretty useless ideas.

Jon C. Frank

  -----Original Message-----
  From: terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org
[mailto:terrapreta-bounces at bioenergylists.org]On Behalf Of David Yarrow
  Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:02 PM
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] subsidies


  something to keep in the front of our head while we stare frightfully at
the worsening financial meltdown is that food occupies a special priority in
every economy, every community, every household.  food is a necessity, not a
luxury, or an option.  every day every one must eat.  regardless of what is
collapsing the rest of the economy, people must have food.  and food
production produces the majority -- over 50% -- of the new wealth that is
injected into any economy every year to keep it solvent.  ther may not be a
market for cars, computers, TVs, or housing -- but there will always be a
demand and a need for food.  thus, the farmer is assured of a market -- of
willing, motivated buyers.  and governments (if they survive) will always
make a priority to see that food is grown and distributed.

  you can't eat coal or drink gasoline.  or eat charcoal -- but at least you
can cook with charcoal.

  for me, the tough issue here is who can and will grow food.  farmers are
less than 2% of the population.  and very few people day have a basic
knowledge of simple gardening -- how to plant seeds, harvest crops -- or of
animal husbandry.  where are we going to find people with the knowledge,
judgment, commitment, and strength to grow food?  very few institutions are
truly training new farmers.

  then comes the next question: how do farmers put fertility in soil -- and
grow and harvest crops -- when fossil fuel energy is not available?  in
america, food production consumes more energy than the military -- first for
fertility, then for machinery.

  for a green & peaceful planet,
  David Yarrow
  44 Gilligan Rd, E Greenbush, NY 12061
  www.championtrees.org
  www.OnondagaLakePeaceFestival.org
  www.farmandfood.org
  www.SeaAgri.com
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