Ms. Valerie Dantoin This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Lake Michigan Forum Meeting Minutes

   www.lkmichiganforum.org/mtg/mi - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/31/1999   Last Visited: 8/5/2001

   Valerie Dantoin , Brown County Farmer
   
   Offering a different perspective on the agricultural community , Ms. Dantoin explained that , to farmers , sustainability means survival. Policies such as exclusive agricultural zoning ( which does not allow farming on any parcels of land less than 35 acres ) , while discouraging sprawl , put an additional burden on the already difficult life of farming. Because the quality of life for farmers is generally quite low , asking them to think about environmental sustainability concerns , such as buffer strips , is unrealistic and unfair. Farmers hope to get as much out of their land as possible which translates , for dairy farmers , to packing as many cows as they can on their property.
   
   Ms. Dantoin did , however , explain some methods of farming that can be both practical and economical for farmers , and less of a strain on the environment. Intensive rotational farming , for example , which relies on principles such as composting and seasonal milking , results in zero soil loss and fuel savings. Other future trends that may be sustainable for farmers and the environment include safe food marketing , reduction of herbicides and pesticides , consideration of food sheds , and establishment of a more direct link between the production and purchase of food. Ms. Dantoin also mentioned a sustainable grant application that she has submitted to use manure in the City of Green Bay or on Oneida Nation property.
   
   Questions/Comments
   
   Most discussion was focused on resolving the apparent tension between farming and environmental sustainability. One audience member asked how the environmental community could help to make the farming community more economically sustainable. Ms. Dantoin suggested bringing farmers into these discussions but noted that farmers are faced with immediate issues such as lack of time and money that restrict their ability to participate in such efforts. Many people felt that true cost accounting is the key to making farming more sustainable : pay farmers the real price for their work. Community supported agriculture was suggested as a method for creating a closer link between food production and consumption , thereby giving farmers a larger share of the profits from their work. Ms. Dantoin said that , while this is the right idea , it is too small-scale to have a large impact on the agricultural community.
   
   III. The Natural Landscape
   
   ...
   Potential members include representatives from the EPA and the National Resources Conservation Service , and farmers such as Valerie Dantoin. The group agreed to discuss this effort more at the November meeting.
   
   4. The Primary Metals project is formally wrapping up. The mercury inventory will be completed and presented in time for the IJC meeting. A full report will follow this presentation.