I would appreciate URL's which contain highly
technical, well researched content relative to:
1. Pest resistant plants. What seeds product
plants which have the greatest resistance to insects? Where do I get
them? How well do the plants do in various soils, moisture,
elevation, weather, etc. How good are the fruits of the plants? How
much labor is involved? What kind of and cost of equipment is
involved? How profitable are these plants and fruit if grown (a) certified
organic, (b) non-certified organic (c) standard commercial?
2. Beneficial insects. What beneficial
insects are there and to which plant pests do they relate? Where do I get them
and how much do they cost?
3. Family farms. Are small family farms
profitable? Where are the stats which provide specific data? Are
there valid, actual case studies? Where?
4. Methane. Plans and specifications,
material take-offs for a methane plant using animal wastes. Income and
expense studies. How is methane put to beneficial use on the
farm? Can it be compressed and sold the same as propane? What
kind of equipment, where do I get it and what does it cost?
5. Biofuel. Does anyone know about and
have good technical data regarding biofuel? Has anyone actually made
biofuel using transmethylization or transesterification of vegetable oils into
biofuel?
6. Technical resources. Lists of coops,
private or public orgs in the northwest which provide member services relative
to: market trends, sales and transportation of produce; food preparation,
processing and storage techniques and costs; State and Federal food safety
and labeling issues; hydroponic vegetables; aquaculture, etc.
7. Farmers' markets. Are Farmers'
Markets profitable for the small farmer? Is the time and
transportation cost worth it? Why the limited operation in terms of days
of the week and hours? Many large cities have farmers' markets,
usually with permanent stands, indoors, open by 6:00 a.m. and closing at 9:
p.m. Los Angeles Farmer's Market has been running for what, 60 years,
seven days a week? How well do the vendors in the Farmers' markets do in
(a) upscale areas (b) median income areas (c) ghetto areas?
8. Pick-your-own. Is "Pick-your-own" a viable
part of farm business? How hard it is to get folks to come to the
farm? How much damage do they do relative to what the farmer gets for the
items picked by the customers? How close to what sized city is the best for this
type of operation? I need hard facts, case studies.
8. Sales to large buyers. What success
has anyone had selling farm direct to restaurants, institutions, schools,
etc?
These grounds most likely have been covered many
times by many researchers, some of whom have posted the results on the Web for
all to read and understand. Hopefully, one or more
persons/orgs have complied a list of URL's which map the exact, complete and
scientific route to actual test results and studies. If not, then I
will be compiling the list and will share it on the web. Please email me
your candidate URL's. I have Googled a large number of sites relative to
organic farming, farmsteads, farmers markets, permaculture, and other
subjects. My overview is that most sites are well-intentioned, but highly
repetitive and very vague on specifics. Seminars, books and articles are
fine for the seller, but seldom are they specific or every hint that under the
cover, very specific "how to" information is given. I have yet find any
URL, study or seminar devoted to a complete discussion of the
profitability of organic farming, permaculture, farmer's markets and
coops.
Jim Miller