Search Results for jim gerritsen

Common Ground Radio 12/1/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

Organic Food and Farming in Maine: Keynote Address, 2017 MOFGA Farmer-to-Farmer Conference

-Description of Three Springs Farm
-Process of commenting on USDA/NOSB issues and agendas
-Contemporary challenges to traditional organic farming movement

Speakers:
Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Family Farm, Bridgewater, ME (introduction)
Emily Oakley, Three Springs Farm, Oaks, Oklahoma (keynote address)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Common Ground Radio 10/6/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

History of Organic Farming in U.S.

-History of organic farming in U.S.
-Early days of organic certification and current federal regulations
-Contemporary challenges to the historic view of organic farming

Guests:
Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Family Farm, Bridgewater, ME
Eric Sideman, Organic Crop Specialist, MOFGA, Unity, ME
Diane Schivera, Organic Livestock Specialist, MOFGA, Unity, ME

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

RadioActive 9/19/13

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association et al vs. Monsanto; Maine’s GMO labeling bill

Key Discussion Points:
a) On March 29th, 2011 OSGATA, et al vs. Monsanto was filed in federal district court. 60 family farms, seed businesses and agricultural organizations were seeking protection from Monsanto’s heavy handed tactics of investigating and suing farmers for patent right infringement, if they claimed their genetically modified seeds had spread to the fields of farmers who had not purchased the GE seed.
b) In January 2012, the case was dismissed. This June, the US Court of Appeals First Circuit found that the plaintiffs did have standing, but that the case could not go forth, “because Monsanto has made binding assurances that it will ‘not take legal action against growers whose crops might inadvertently contain traces of Monsanto’s biotech genes (because, for example, some transgenic seed or pollen blew onto the grower’s land’”. OSGATA, et al, still looks for their day in court. They have asked the Supreme Court to review the Court of Appeals’ decision.
c) Jim Gerritsen also discusses Maine’s GMO labeling bill, poised to take effect.

Guest:
Jim Gerritsen, president of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association; Co-owner and operator of Wood Prairie Farm in Bridgewater, Maine

www.osgata.org/
archive.constantcontact.com/fs122/1104248386985/archive/1113747008645.html
www.pubpat.org/assets/files/seed/OrganicSeedSCTPetition.pdf
www.woodprairie.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

RadioActive 7/19/12

Producer/Host:Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association et al v. Monsanto

Key Discussion Points:

a) A group of 75 family farms, seed businesses and agricultural organizations, representing 300,000 individuals, are appealing the dismissal of their suit to the US Court of Appeals.. In addition to the Maine based Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), and the Maine based seed company Fed Co are also part of the suit. The Public Patent Foundation is representing OSGATA et al.

b) The suit seeks protection for farmers from potential lawsuits by Monsanto, who has a history of targeting farms for patent infringement when their genetically modified seed contaminates non-GMO and organic farms. Since the mid 1990s, Monsanto has pursued 144 lawsuits, and has brought charges against at least 700 other farms who have settled out of court.

c) Farmers say, in addition to the threat of patent right violations, contamination damages their own livelihoods growing non-GMO and organic food.

Guests by name and affiliation:

A) Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Farms, Bridgewater,ME www.woodprairie.com, and

president of Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, Washington, ME www.osgata.org , 207)809-7530 . Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) www.pubpat.org

Call In Program: no

Podcast: Play in new window | Download