Comments on: Expedition Day 1: Paddle, Listen, Learn

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:11:47 +0000

I completely agree with you that public engagement is a great way to connect with the people knowledgeable about the problems facing their community. It always feels great to be a part of public event. In your case it's an expedition where you were able to meet interesting people and communicate with them. I also like such events. Of course, it's very difficult for me wake-up so early, but it's worth it. You did a good job. Good luck to your following expeditions.

By: Robert Courtnage

Robert Courtnage — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:30:21 +0000

Jerry,
It was a blast! I am already nostalgic about that weekend.
-Robert

By: Robert Courtnage

Robert Courtnage — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:28:49 +0000

Hi Michael,
Thanks for your message. Community supported agriculture (CSA) and organic operations (especially smaller scale ones) definitely have multiple benefits. Their environmental benefits are enough in themselves but they also tie folks back to the land and their local community. Wendell Barry, a writer, a professor and a Kentucky farmer, speaks in his writings about the importance of agriculture to community. The industrialization of agriculture has not only had its associated environmental detriments, but it has had a toll on our sense of community as well. Becoming a member of a CSA or buying locally grown produce at a farmers market not only helps reduce the agricultural impact on the environment, but it also espouses a greater sense of place and community.
-Robert

By: Jerry Morgan

Jerry Morgan — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:38:03 +0000

I love these kind of events. And it is probable the challenge of doing the event that makes the learning fun.

By: Michael E. Bailey

Michael E. Bailey — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:27:07 +0000

It sounds like a great start to a great project and, hopefully, more of such to come. I was especially interested in the organic farm and environmentally friendly agriculture. We have had a major national problem over the spring and summer with eggs infected by infection causing organisms coming primarily from two egg farms that ship nationwide; then, it came out during the summer about healthy livestock being fed antibiotics in their food, that we then eat the antibiotic, that the animals get antibiotic resistant infections that can and do cross over to people and remain antibiotic resistant; and during this spring, one major chemical company wanted to put on the market chemically genetically engineered alfalfa seeds. Organic, ecofreindly farming is very important and everything that can be done to encourage it should be done. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.