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- To: sanet-mg
- Subject: pesticide drift
- From: rich molini <richmo@indy.net>
- Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 12:48:58 +0000
- Organization: IndyNet
- Reply-To: richmo@indy.net
Hi, I am Rich Molini and I operate a small organic farm in Atlanta, Indiana. Atlanta is about 35 miles north of Indianapolis. My primary product is natural beef. Recently, I have experienced what I consider a significant problem with pesticide drifting onto my farm either from the direct application or volatilization after application. The agribusinessman ( I reserve the title farmer for those who actually operate their farms using family labor and manage their farms using their brains rather than relying on a chemical company) who like most of them show a complete lack of responsibility when it comes to dispersing poisons all over our mother earth told me over the telephone that the yellowing, whitening, and redening that was occuring all over my farm was likely due to the cool spring. When I informed him that I had not just recently gotten off a boat, and that I was an organic farmer and was the current President of the Indiana Chapter of the Organic Crop Improvement Association, he said " Well why don't I come over and take a look". The state regulatory ageny who oversees such matters initially said that they prefer that I work with my neighbor to try to come to an agreement. I told them that was part of the problem. He wasn't my neighbor or he wouldn't have had his hired applicator spread his death up to my door step where now a burdock is in the process of dying. His chemical, Command , has penetrated as much as 600 feet from my fence line. I can say my fence line because most agribusiness people around here knock down fence rows because they don't deal with livestock. They might have to "agribiz" all year. I have two 900 pound steers who have coincidentally shown significant weight loss and respiratory distress and which I have had to isolated from the rest since the application. Steers this size generally would not be expected to take suddenly sick for no reason. When the agribusinessman came over he walked around and looked at the damage, he was very quite. He himmed and hawed around and finally asked " What would you like me to do?" I told him that I would hope that the first thing I desired should be fairly obvious. He said he didn't understand. I gave him some time to think but since he probably doesn't have to think that much anymore because of the green revolution technology he was a little out of practice. Still no response, so I said I would appreciate an apology. He looked surprised and himmed and hawed around some more. I told him that I still did'nt hear an apology. He then finally said he was sorry, and I was then able to talk to him like a neighbor. I told him that I had never been in the struggle to accumulate any more dollars than what made me comfortable. His demeanor lightened. I told him that I would likely be seeking counsel to seek compensation, however. His demeanor dimmed. By the way the owner, who is not the same as the agribusinessman because more than half of all agricultural land in Indiana is rented from some farmlord, said he was not liable ( his exact words) I had never mentioned liability in my conversation with him. I am soliciting the help of anyone who may have had some experience in these matters. I plan to seek reimbursement for the damages that I have realized, but more importantly I would like to seek some punitive damages that may be able to fund programs for consumer awareness of our food production, processing, and distribution systems and the viable locally based alternatives. I would like to possibly get some damages that may be able to get a division of the Purdue University School of Agriculture, our land grant institution which has been somewhat understandably uninspired ( because they like the term agribusiness) to spend sufficent resources on an organic, sustainable, and other sensible ecosystem compatible agricultural methods curriculum or to dispense more than a dropper full through the Extension. If any one is aware of the pitfalls or obstacles that one may encounter in attempting such a legal endeavour or if there is any history of agribusiness cooperation in these matters , I would certainly entertain any suggestions or comments. I would also appreciate any info on Command ME. I have done a search and there is little data on mammalian effects from exposure except for some early warning data in 1986 when it was still an experimental compound. Thanks Rich Molini 2419 East 281st Street Atlanta, Indiana 46031
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