Readers would be well-informed to know that Mr. Avery represents a non-profit backed by some of the nation's largest manufacturers of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and GMOs. Mr. Avery and his son, Alex, are employed to seek to discredit organic farming practices. He has used these events as an opportunity to advance his and his backers' agenda.

I live in Winona County. We received over 17 inches of rain in 24 hours. Valley fields in the area suffered flooding, organic and conventional. Mr. Averys assertion that organic farming practices accelerated the damage is incorrect and insensitive.

Grassed hillsides that have not been farmed in over 30 years gave way.

Wooded hillsides that have never been farmed collapsed. The massive erosion that occurred had nothing to do with organic practices.

As a matter of fact, the Federal organic regulation requires that organic farmers must select and implementtillage and cultivation practices that maintain or improve the condition of the soil and minimize soil erosion.

Contrary to Mr. Averys wild assertion, research shows that organic practices protect soil and water quality. For example, a team of University of Minnesota scientists studied the impact of organic and conventional agricultural practices over three years on subsurface drainage and water quality on corn-soybean farms. (Journal of Environmental Quality, July-August 2007)

The researchers found that organic and sustainable systems reduced the volume of subsurface drainage water discharges by 41 percent, compared to conventional. Organic and sustainable systems also reduced the loss of nitrate nitrogen by about 60 percent, allowing farmers to reduce fertilization rates by nearly half, while protecting water sources from nitrate pollution. The improved soil quality on the organic/sustainable plots, coupled with more diverse land use patterns, were credited with improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake and water infiltration and use, especially in average to wet years.

Further, a nine-year study by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers at Beltsville, MD, has shown that organic farming can build up soil organic matter better than conventional no-till farming can, according to results published in the July 2007 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.

Mr. Avery lives in Virginia. I doubt if he has had a chance to visit the flood-damaged region or talk to the farmers who devote their lives to growing healthy, nutritious food for their neighbors and the nation.

If he hasn't done so, Mr. Avery should tour the area and volunteer to help the residents repair their properties and restore their lives.
While here, I'm confident that he will learn that - unlike his unsubstantiated claims to the contrary - organic farming practices represent the most sustainable and pioneering method for farming in our nation today.

Jim Riddle
Organic Outreach Coordinator
University of Minnesota
31762 Wiscoy Ridge Road
Winona, MN 55987
Ph/fax: 507-454-8310
Email: riddl003@umn.edu