> I would also take a bit of exception to ET's assessment of the effects of
large scale AG,  as stewards of the land

I often challenge Charlie on points, but on this one he's correct.  And
that's coming from someone who has a gut negative reaction to Big Ag.

American agriculture responds to consumer demand--period.  American
consumers demand inexpensive, blemish-free, abundant meat, fruits, nuts,
and veggies (not to mention grains).  That demand tells farmers exactly
what to do.

In addition, American farmers export large quantifies of ag products.

The world population is currently growing at nearly 200,000 humans per day.

It takes anywhere from 1/2 to 40 acres, depending on the country, of
biologically productive land to feed and clothe each new human.  Do the
math!

This leaves us only three choices:

1.  To drastically reduce the human birth rate (or better yet, the entire
population).  This is politically unpopular.
2.  To convert a few hundred thousand acres of virgin habitat per day to
farmland, which would greatly accelerate the extinction of species.
3.  To farm existing farmland more efficiently.

None of the above choices are pretty.  Charlie is pointing out that #3 is
the only viable choice.  What we need to do is to increase farming
efficiency, while minimizing its overall environmental impact.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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