E Coli Outbreak: Arizona Lettuce

Last week, I spent an afternoon with my Environmental Science class working on a local farm.  The name of the farm is Liberty Gardens and is located just outside of Coopersburg.  We were given an incredibly informed tour of the biogeochemical cycles at work in the active compost piles, of the no-till agricultural techniques being used; we were in essence, given a tour of a farm that defies the modern agricultural standard. I was allowed to pick a leaf of arugula, right from the plant and eat it.  My lord, did it taste good.  For an hour, with my bare hands, I mixed peat, compost, clay, chicken poo (sterilized) and lime.  I was covered head to toe in dirt and poo and I stunk something fierce.  I felt good.

Last Sunday was opening day for the Emmaus Farmer’s Market.  I bought twenty dollars worth of greens that I have been slowly demolishing over the week.

None of these sustainably grown, local, farm grown products left me sickened. 

Today, a factory farm in Arizona is responsible for distributing E Coli contaminated lettuce to 23 states.  This is not homegrown stuff here folks, this is nutrient deficient, poorly grown mass product. (not produce)

Along with the Oil Armageddon currently developing in the Gulf of Mexico, never has the unsustainable manner in which the modern American lives been more exposed. 

What’s next? Another coal mine blast?  More coal workers dead?  More bees disappearing? Bats dying? Something worse?

This Sunday, go to the Emmaus Farmer’s Market.  I’ll be there.  Cast your vote for the real future of this country.  This is all simply disgusting.

(Note, I realize that some factory farming must occur for all people to be fed.  Agricultural practices have to be entirely changed in order to make that farming sustainable.  Monopolies like Monsanto need breaking up.  1970’s era farm subsidies must end.  Factory farming can be done in an environmentally sensible way.   We have eroded more topsoil in the last 70 years than can be created in 1000.  Time for a change folks.)  

Look for more agriculture posts in the coming weeks.

Also: Oil Armageddon