Re: Sorry, the asians (hmong, chinese, vietnamese, laotian mostly) have caved too!

[Guest guest]

Camphill Village Minnesota, an anthroposophic community for the

handicapped, grows biodynamic food, often has some to sell, including

quarters of beef. They're listed on local harvest, do good work, grow

wonderful food.

15136 Celtic Drive Sauk Centre, MN 56378

(320) 732-6365

On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 9:25 AM, ryan2645 <ryan2645@...> wrote:

> Thanks ,

>

> Yep, I've considered most of that as I'm used to getting blank looks from

> food producers/retailers as I ask questions they never hear.

>

> DONT trust the asians, sadly. They grow great looking and tasting produce,

> but I know for a fact they are using chemical nitrogens because they tell

> me from their own mouth ( " I use very little chemical " ), and I watch them as

> I commute between MN and WI and I see them out there on CR 46 and CR42 with

> the little tractors busily spraying away. It is a tragedy because the

> elders have the knowledge and ability to grow stellar produce without the

> chemicals, but they've given in to convenience. They're such friendly and

> generous people, BUT they have adopted modern practices. They don't use

> much if anything in the way of X-icides, but they do use chemical ferts.

>

> So, ASSUME your vendors, no matter their ethnic background, are using AT

> LEAST, chemical fertilizers, unless they explicitly tell you otherwise. And

> you'll have to be specific with your questions, because they will gladly

> tell you that they use no sprays, since most consumers are satisfied with

> that answer.

>

> Will post that list when I've got it, I'm afraid it will be a fairly short

> list.

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey and all,

In Pine City every Wednesday morning until frost hits hard, there is a flea

market. At that market there are 2 Asian vendors that I trust and would

recommend, however, I don't think they do any markets closer than possibly North

Branch. I can not name any that I know are doing markets in the metro this

year.

The one guy and his wife are the sole farmers, you can see them work their

fields by hand all summer long. They are east of Rush City. If you are a

regular customer of his he will try to teach you some Hmong as well. Sadly, I

can not remember his name or his wifes. They have at market mostly what will

sell--beans, long beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, and other leafy greens. No

chemicals used other than rotation and compost. They have Asian veggies at

their farm but you have to get to know them to get those veggies.

Then there is another woman, second generation farmer who speaks English well

and will talk farming and family with you. She also does not bring much other

than the main selling items but she grows many Asian veggies. She brought me

some hollow vegetable last year and other types of greens to try here and there.

Most I liked.

And lastly, we have an African-American vendor and his 2 Asian ladies selling

his crops. He resells veggies. His stories are fun, his ladies are busy texting

and prettying their nails. There is no way any of these people ever go into a

garden of any sort. Perhaps I am way wrong but when asking about basic veggie

spacing, seasonal availability, and such, blank looks all around! lol

Those are all in Pine City Wednesday mornings if the rain and storms hold off.

One of the problems with Asian farmers at the markets is the lack of

communication. Many don't speak English well, some will have younger family

members that can translate. It makes it easier. And not everything translates

well either, some of the English speaking farmers will relate stories about how

they had difficulties with certain words and phrases in our language because the

word or meaning didn't exist in theirs.

I would still look for Asian farmers at the markets tho, just ask. These people

know how to farm. If they see they are losing customers because of a practice

they have learned here, they may change for the following years. Worth a try

anyway.

And chemicals are wide spread, remember the exploding watermelons last year?

There was a huge family out of Elk River who did not use chemicals at all but I

can't remember their names. They are possibly MN Grown tho. The do metro

markets. It was a first and second generation family doing the work. Stu

(spelled wrong but sounds correct) speaks English well as does his wife. His

father just arrived in the US a few years ago after trying to come over for many

years. His father fought with our GI's during Vietnam (our side). History that

he is willing (the father) to tell to people if anyone wants to listen. They

did the St. market last year, dark brown van with green tent attached.

Neat chairs too with a sunscreen that pops up over the top! Hey, it is easy to

find them by the chairs they use! lol

The Asian farmer in North Branch that does metro markets is good, Healthy Greens

I think is the farm name. They are willing to talk farming and were

participating in certified naturally grown at least thru last year. They are

probably MN Grown listed as well.

Good luck! I am so glad I can grow my own crops and raise my own food!

[Guest guest]

Don't trust the Amish either, LOL, you need to ask and not assume. Most of the

Amish I know do not use or use very little chemicals of any sorts, but there are

some who use what ever chemicals and fertilizers.

So ASK first before buying.

Kimi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" Gardening and Praying both are best done down on the knees " (unknown.)

[Guest guest]

Don't distrust anyone. Just ask the right questions as if it really matters to

you. I get really tired of a forum that keeps stepping around the reality that

we need to be responsible for our food choices and stop blaming others for the

economic effect of mass production. If you want quality food, support it! If you

don't demand it, you won't have it. These are your rights to healthy food, not

privileges! Our government will NEVER give you food for health. That is your

responsibility. Seek out information if unsure. Food Matters, WAPF, EWG, endless

resources. Get a new hobby called survival! Smile, eat well, sleep well and

don't be greedy.

>

> Don't trust the Amish either, LOL, you need to ask and not assume.

[Guest guest]

" Alvin S " <mnorganiceggs@...> wrote:

>

> Don't distrust anyone.

Yeah Alvin, I regretted wording it that way after I posted it. I didn't mean

don't trust them, that's fear based, more accurately what I meant is not to

assume anything from anyone. I was only responding to 's comment on the

asians. I assumed they'b be more reliable but my questioning (and I've got good

relationships with them, we chat for quite a while when I go to the market) said

otherwise. And I certainly wasn't singling them out as such. Because the stands

I audited at that time were all of european descent.

The point I was getting at, was never, ever, ever make assumptions. There are

producers on this very list using rearing protocols that I do not support. But

everyone has a different idea of what is 'ok' to do with food production.

Because of my years of study and my observation of disease (toxicity theory NOT

germ theory) my standards are probably the highest anywhere, because nothing

artificial should be allowed anywhere ever as an input. That includes man made

vitamins, no matter how 'organic' or natural they're claimed to be.

In other words, it's all about personal responsibility. If you don't have time

to ask these questions, then you will make time for any of the effects they

produce. There are a lot worse things that could be done to food than granular

chemical ferts, but, there's still no excuse for them and I don't want to be

supporting farmers who are in turn supporting chemical companies, savvy?

It would not be that difficult for these market vendors to get a nearby farmer

to bring them some poo, or til green manure in in to the soil at the end of the

season. It would be some extra effort and money, but I think the consumer, and

their family's health is worth it!

[Guest guest]

Reposting with better wording:

Sorry, the asians (hmong, chinese, vietnamese, laotian mostly) have caved too,

as have members of every ethnic group.

Thanks ,

Yep, I've considered most of that as I'm used to getting blank looks from food

producers/retailers as I ask questions they never hear.

Don't assume the asians are doing it right, sadly. They grow great looking and

tasting produce, but I

know for a fact they are using chemical nitrogens because they tell me from

their own mouth ( " I use very little chemical " ), and I watch them as I commute

between MN and WI and I see them out there on CR 46 and CR42 with the little

tractors busily spraying away. It is a tragedy because the elders have the

knowledge and ability to grow stellar produce without the chemicals, but they've

given in to convenience. They're such friendly and generous people, BUT they

have adopted modern practices. They don't use much if anything in the way of

X-icides, but they do use chemical ferts.

So, ASSUME your vendors, no matter their ethnic background, are using AT LEAST,

chemical fertilizers, unless they explicitly tell you otherwise. And you'll have

to be specific with your questions, because they will gladly tell you that they

use no sprays, since most consumers are satisfied with that answer.

Will post that list when I've got it, I'm afraid it will be a fairly short list.

[Guest guest]

,

I applaud your eloquent correction below and agree completely. There are

many farmers and natural foodies who are not willing to ask more difficult

questions to produce the purest food possible. It is toxins and

malnutrition---not bacteria which causes disease and that's it.

It would be great to see the raw milk movement come to this understanding,

otherwise we are simply exchanging one kind of slavery for another i.e.

medications/antibiotics, for homeopathy and vitamins. We must start from

the right premise.