I’m getting the hang of my new computer system. It all takes a little extra time, making the new formats, getting used to the new ways the mouse behaves, etc. I’ll be upgrading the whole Co-op system this summer. I’m beginning to think about the summer schedule too. If any of you have any suggestions, please tell me. I’d like to take a few weeks off, but haven’t made any plans yet.
It seems we are running short of bags these days. Please remember to bring them back! We don’t have enough boxes on a regular basis these days.
Monsanto, Haiti's “New Earthquake"
"A new earthquake" is what Haitian peasant farmer leader Chavannes Jean-Baptiste of the Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP) called the news that Monsanto will be dumping 60,000 seed sacks (475 tons) of hybrid corn seeds and vegetable seeds on Haiti, seeds doused with highly toxic fungicides such as thiram, known to be extremely dangerous to farm workers. Hybrid seeds, like GMO seeds (in contrast to Creole heirloom or organic seeds) require lots of water, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. In addition if a small farmer tries to save hybrid seeds after harvest, hybrid seeds usually do not "breed true" or grow very well in the second season, forcing the now-indentured peasant to buy seeds from Monsanto or one of the other hybrid/GMO seed monopolies in perpetuity. Monsanto wanted initially to dump GMO seeds on Haiti, but even the corrupt Haitian government knew that this would spark a rebellion, so Monsanto cleverly decided to dump hybrid seeds instead. The Haitian small farmers organization has committed to burning Monsanto's seeds, and has called for a march to protest the corporation's presence in Haiti on June 4, for World Environment Day.
Enjoy! Marnie
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