Uncovering the Truth: Healthy Food Myths Busted

[_just me]

This has been an enlightening thread. Thanks to all who added their knowledge.

[_Lemmie]

Thanks for the information about Master Gardeners, Gunnar, very helpful!

I'll see what I can find around here, sounds right up my alley.

[Guest]

Thanks for the information about Master Gardeners, Gunnar, very helpful!

I'll see what I can find around here, sounds right up my alley.

You're welcome! My wife suggests you google Master Gardeners. They work with universities all over the U.S.A. and Canada, and the requirements very from state to state and even county to county. In my wife and daughter's case they had to attend classes 4 hours a week for about 4 months to get certified. There was a fee of about $100 to pay for educational materials and the guest lecturers' time and travel. They have to keep up to date with about 12 hours of education per year and commit to 50 hours of volunteer service the first year and 25 hours per year thereafter. They have monthly meetings of which they have to attend at least 6 per year. They have occasional field trips that are often very interesting and informative, some of which I have gone along with. Their local organization requires an annual fee of $6 which is used to pay insurance to cover any accidents or injuries incurred during their official activities, but this probably also varies from place to place. Several times a year they get together for potluck dinners to which their families are also invited so they can get to know each other better, pass out awards for service and achievements, and which often feature a guest speaker with relevant expertise in botany or gardening or government services available. I have found these quite enjoyable as I enjoy both the company of these people and the information learned and also (especially) the free food!

I hope you find this useful.

[_Lemmie]

Thanks for the information about Master Gardeners, Gunnar, very helpful!

I'll see what I can find around here, sounds right up my alley.

You're welcome! My wife suggests you google Master Gardeners. They work with universities all over the U.S.A. and Canada, and the requirements very from state to state and even county to county. In my wife and daughter's case they had to attend classes 4 hours a week for about 4 months to get certified. There was a fee of about $100 to pay for educational materials and the guest lecturers' time and travel. They have to keep up to date with about 12 hours of education per year and commit to 50 hours of volunteer service the first year and 25 hours per year thereafter. They have monthly meetings of which they have to attend at least 6. They have occasional field trips that are often very interesting and informative, some of which I have gone along with. Their local organization requires an annual fee of $6 which is used to pay insurance to cover any accidents or injuries incurred during their official activities, but this probably also varies from place to place. Several times a year they get together for potluck dinners to which their families are also invited so they can get to know each other better, pass out awards for service and achievements, and which often feature a guest speaker with relevant expertise in botany or gardening or government services available. I have found these quite enjoyable as I enjoy both the company of these people, the information learned and also (especially) the free food!

I hope you find this useful.

Thank you, and tell your wife thank you for me also! It sounds exactly like what I've been looking for-and it looks like Rutgers has the program so I am definitely going to check it out.
You made my day! Thank you again.

[_Gunnar]

It's not accurate to say that organic farming approves "natural" pesticide/herbicides, but avoids synthetics. For example, organic farming allows for the use of copper sulphate as a fungicide. Not only is this significantly more dangerous to the consumer than any modern fungicide, it is acquired in large quantities for farmers to use through chemical synthesis. It gets a pass because it can be found in nature and, apparently, is sufficiently old-timey to appeal to the groups in charge of labeling practice. There are several substances like this.

Thanks for that additional insight. This seems another example of the often irrational assumption that "natural" is always inherently better than "synthetic" or man made, as if we humans could magically create or produce anything that was "unnatural" or violated the laws of nature in some way.

[_MeDotOrg]

Foods aren't healthy. They are healthful.

[_Gunnar]

Foods aren't healthy. They are healthful.

Have you always been so nit picky?

[_canpakes]

Foods aren't healthy. They are healthful.

That depends. This language could work if you're a cannibal and choose carefully. : )

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Hey Gunnar,

I have quite a bit of property that I plan on using to grow vegetables. I live in SLC proper. Do you have any recommendations for urban farming vis a vis the best yield crops? I have a huge green thumb, but have traditionally stuck to decorative trees, shrubs, and flowers. I would love any input you might be able to provide!

- Doc