<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Public-university researchers get cash for studying GMOs—and the shaft for studying organic ag]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Anastasia http://www.grist.org/article/monsanto-u/ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:55:43 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/monsanto-u/1 Helps more than hurts

I can't speak for other schools, but Iowa State University researchers are studying all aspects of agriculture, from sustainable ag to advanced biotech. We have a whole group of faculty devoted to sustainable and organic farming at the Leopold Center. USDA research affiliated with the university includes organic and biotech.

As a young scientist, I'm looking forward to applying for funding from a variety of sources - including agribusiness. While the goals of agribusiness have a lot to do with the bottom line, important research can be and is conducted with their funding. It would be nice to have more federal funding, but as seen in this budget, we can't depend on it. If scientists studying organic farming want more funding, perhaps they should look to industry as well. There are a at least a few companies out there who are making a lot of money from organics. There are also quite a few non-profits interested in various aspects of agriculture. I think it's short sighted to condemn these sources of revenue for research.

For more scientific discussion on GMOs, visit my blog: GeneticMaize.

]]> Helps more than hurts

I can't speak for other schools, but Iowa State University researchers are studying all aspects of agriculture, from sustainable ag to advanced biotech. We have a whole group of faculty devoted to sustainable and organic farming at the Leopold Center. USDA research affiliated with the university includes organic and biotech.

As a young scientist, I'm looking forward to applying for funding from a variety of sources - including agribusiness. While the goals of agribusiness have a lot to do with the bottom line, important research can be and is conducted with their funding. It would be nice to have more federal funding, but as seen in this budget, we can't depend on it. If scientists studying organic farming want more funding, perhaps they should look to industry as well. There are a at least a few companies out there who are making a lot of money from organics. There are also quite a few non-profits interested in various aspects of agriculture. I think it's short sighted to condemn these sources of revenue for research.

For more scientific discussion on GMOs, visit my blog: GeneticMaize.

]]> Comment #2 by amazingdrx http://www.grist.org/article/monsanto-u/ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:17:42 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/monsanto-u/2 Some

Some great work on rotational grazing and other organic farming are ongoing here in Wisconsin (after we complained on public radio call in for years), but the original grant wording is key now...

 "the agriculture and mechanic arts."

Meaning the farming and the machinery to make it more productive.  A switch to mechanized organic farming, especially using robotics to substitute for pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizer, and wastefull irrigation.

We need farm and energy policy all working together with economic stimulus.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

]]> Some

Some great work on rotational grazing and other organic farming are ongoing here in Wisconsin (after we complained on public radio call in for years), but the original grant wording is key now...

 "the agriculture and mechanic arts."

Meaning the farming and the machinery to make it more productive.  A switch to mechanized organic farming, especially using robotics to substitute for pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizer, and wastefull irrigation.

We need farm and energy policy all working together with economic stimulus.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

]]>