RE: [compost_tea] confused and alarmed

From: Mike Bosko <mjbosko_at_jmtsystems.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 11:33:55 -0800

[Mike peeks cautiously out of his bunker for a moment]

Linda, no bullets heading your way from this bunker.

At one time I even felt that I could have been one of the biggest
proponents of AACT. I'm not very experienced nor highly knowledgeable
in the science of it all - but I definitely believed and stood behind
what I was reading, and tried to practice what was preached.

I've been reading the posts by HiYeild - and altho I wonder why she's
hiding behind this mask and not willing to reveal her true identity - I
appreciate some (not that I like them all) of the questions and
statements presented. Questioning anything outside or against the
process of AACT seems to be frowned upon on this list. The bunch of
hip-hip-hurray for AACT gets progress nowwhere. And that is what
appears to be wanted here - no disagreeing talk of AACT or disagreement
in the process and ingredients in making it, just hooplah please.

As I've stated before, from a standpoint of science, there'd be no
forward advance if a scientist take that approach.

You need to show people that you're trying to make progress, good honest
progress, as well as(IMPORTANT) making the process easier and affordable
for the common user. Am I echoing myself again here?

I bought a brewer, and embarrassingly enough, I've been concerned with
even starting it up, for almost a year now, for fear of doing it all
wrong, killing the soil and those around it. On top of purchasing the
brewer, I -need- a $200 soil test, then to pay to test my compost, then
to buy the appropriate nutrients, then to pay to test my final tea...
Another soil test ... Repeat. Hardly intriguing to someone interested
in exploring this route.

If you listen to this list, you get the impression that unless you buy X
brand, use X ingredients, under X's test restrictions, the brew and its
application is more likely doomed to failure. And maybe it very well is
that way, it is a science -- but don't expect to get other people
involved if they need to put out these big dollars for tests, equipment
and ingredients; and to expect failure if the dollar isn't well enough
spent?

If a person who strongly believes in AACT, as I do, is feeling this -how
in the world do you/we expect to get the rest of the folks on board?
Isn't it the many little guys out here that you need to encourage in the
use of AACT anyway? How else will you get this to move forward? Hard
to run a business without customers who believe in what you're selling,
and who are worried about asking questions or make comments for fear of
being belittled (this part has gotten ridiculous)

Back into my own bunker... I've been here so long I think I'm starting
to look like sadam. I had to boot him out not long ago to go find his
own hole ....

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Linda [mailto:wormwomantwo_at_yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 7:47 AM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] confused and alarmed


Group,
 
I'm really rather stunned by the number of posters and MANUFACTURERS
of systems that have absolutely no plant background. Often posts read
like engineering schemes without even the most basic gardening and
fertilization knowledge. Is that bad? After all this is a forum for
the promotion and growth of least toxic methods of farming and
gardening. I'm not intending to be critical of beginners learning new
methods. I am concerned about those new to gardening commercially
jumping on board without a basic ag/hort background. I just joined to
learn more and can't help but am amazed by the "flag waving" and lack
of knowledge. Often posters present tea as a "wonder drug". If our
farm manager ever showed up with a bill for a bob-a-lator in a
garbage can I would be affronted. If the goal is to make systems
available to the masses and encourage the growth of ACT why don't one
of you post the building plans. Why not? Because the list of
manufacturers is quickly becoming a list of film flam artists
and "anybody can be a farmer" types.
 
This grumbling about cleaning 90-degree angles is particularly
hysterical. After many years of cleaning milk equipment I just don't
see the issue. Making claims about a machine being easier to clean
and then not posting any REAL data, is film flam. I go to sites this
group has directed others to and all I find is a preoccupation with
AF and TF. No protozoa counts, no nutrient cycling data or plant
available N, no nematode counts, just partial testing with no full
reports which would show the real value of the tea. What's the point
of high fungi with high ciliates. What's the point of tea without the
other components? What's the value of multiple associations and this
groupie atmosphere that seems to be developing?

I will be joining the "other" Assn, simply to try to find a balance.
Many of the "leaders " in the use of CT use a machine considered as a
poor tea maker. Do we really believe there is only one lab that holds
the key to success with CT?

It's time for a straight up dialogue without the Ad Hominem attacks.
Who will step up and take the risks of sharing real usable
information rather than veiled sales pitches?

Publish a plan and a recipe, take the risk, show us how to get there
diredtly without the innuendo.

<retreating to my bunker to dodge the bullets>

Linda




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Received on Thu Dec 18 2003 - 15:34:33 EST

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