[compost_tea] Re: Some people!

From: Kirk Leonard <kirk_at_oregonatural.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 15:55:19 -0800

BTW, this is exactly where USNOP wants to bury ALL compost teas. Brinton is
a major player on the Compost Tea Task Force. USDA have clearly shown a
strong will NOT to approve compost teas among organic practices by their
behavior over the past two years, despite centuries of safe use (ala the
"European methods") and even better, emerging ACT methods. And make no
mistake, NO kinds of compost tea or organic preps - none - are currently
supported by USNOP, even though there are ZERO reports of any harm ever
actually being done by any of them. USDA really, really don't want compost
teas allowed in organic ag, though some certifiers are approving anyway. If
USDA/NOP succeeds in getting genuine crap like this adopted you can bet
they'll come back and whack certifiers ASAP, with all the force of the US
federal government. Big Time OUCH, hmm?

> Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 00:46:01 -0500
> From: soilfoodweb_at_aol.com
> Subject: Some people!
>
> Woods End scientists completed a compost tea study which suggests that
forced aeration of the tea has no significant effect on longevity or
survival of potentially pathogenic E. coli present in compost teas. The
project tested commercial tea extraction equipment and compared to European
methods in which there is only intermittent stirring. "Since E. coli is
capable of aerobic growth, it will multiply in the presence of foodstuffs
and oxygen, contrary to what popular literature on compost teas suggests",
said the reports authors. When E.coli was spiked into aerated teas, it
continued to persist past the term of extraction, the research shows.
"European methods without aeration performed as well as aerated" said Dr.
Brinton. According to Woods End, "a real danger may exist in the use of
immature composts plus added sugars or nutrients, since this provides ideal
conditions for growth of potentially pathogenic facultative organisms". When
used according to instructions and with composts provided with purchased
extraction kits, the commercial technology teas produced were safe,
according to Woods End. "What we are saying is users should not be misled to
think aeration alone prevents growth of potential pathogens- it will not
especially in the case of E.coli." said Brinton. The report is presently
being reviewed by the Compost Tea Task Force under the NOSB. Brinton's Lab
and the USDA Microbiology Lab in Beltsville have undertaken a second series
of joint-research projects in an attempt verify these preliminary findings.
<

And you can also bet they will verify... These are the same two players who
caused compost tea to become "not eligible to satisfy" USNOP soil fertility
standards last year based on two stupid lab experiments, and sent it into
the perpetual "delay or death" spiral where it's now stuck. They mean to
put a stop to compost tea if they possibly can, believe me.

What to do? Call USDA, email them, whatever, let them know your are paying
attention. (last I knew, head of USNOP was Richard Matthews,
richard.mathews_at_usda.gov and his boss was Barbara Robinson,
barbara.robinson_at_usda.gov.) Why is compost tea being subjected to such
delays in the absence of any reported real world harm? (NB: problems can be
created in labs, which is exactly what is and has been exploited here...)
Why is an ancient, safe organic practice not being supported? Call or email
your congressperson, especially if they're on the House Organic Caucus (list
in
CT archives, 7/4/02). Ask the same thing. Tell them your real world
experience is different. Ask them to get on USDA's case, find out what's
happening. Email Owusu Bandele, chair of the NOSB Crops Committee, under
which the Compost Tea Task Force operates (obandele_at_subr.edu), or the
co-chairs of the task force, Eric Sideman (esideman_at_mofga.org) and Dennis
Holbrook (dennis_at_tiagris.com). If you are not in US, please ask your
government to ask US gov what the heck they are doing and why it's so goofy,
eh?

USDA and Brinton are doing the bidding of the Monsanto's and Dows of the
world here, apparently, not what's best for organic practices or the planet.
WE have to ask questions to set things straight. Please speak up. A few of
us peppering them can make a difference because USDA is basically hiding
behind these nefarious moves. A little sunshine is needed. Thanks Doc E
for the info.

-- Kirk

PS: Brinton accuses Ingham of same lack of data, btw, but Doc E has given us
data-based guidelines. What were DO levels? (Was there enough air?) How
much ecoli spiking? (What kind of ecoli? Most are not harmful.) What
temps? What nutrients and levels? Brinton cites "immature composts" - what
about good composts? (gonzo-bozo.. that alone is cause for this "research"
invalidation, and this guy invented maturity tests for compost...!?) Many
more questions are possible, but it's clear USDA and Brinton are using
generic ecoli, poor compost, poor ACT practices, and poor research as ruses
to suppress all compost teas - simple as that - truly pushing a molehill
into a mountain, and using "science" for propaganda. Ga-ga gunga
garbage-ganda. Weak but effective when you have the privilege and power of
US gov behind you, I guess... Perhaps we should use the acronym FACT
instead of AACT (as in "forced aeration"?:-).
















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Received on Wed Nov 12 2003 - 22:33:44 EST

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