[Scpg] Forum on GMO agriculture, UCSB, Thursday Eve

[scpg-admin at arashi.com]

Isla Vista Food Coop is staging a forum on GMO ag. I am presenting, also 
Marshall Chrostowski, another local organic grower, administrator, seed 
grower. Memo is from the IVFC coordinator, marcellino.

Buchanan 1920, 7:30pm.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes earlier to get situated.
Panelists:
Dave Cleveland - professor who can explain GE Tech.
Steve Sprinkle - local organic farmer from ojai.
possibly also
heather Ryan - local activist who helped expose the recent Starlink corn 
recall.
marshall - local organic farmer.

The purpose of this forum is not to bash GE Tech, but to INFORM and EDUCATE 
the audience about GE Tech and the larger ethical issues they pose to 
farmers, consumers, biodiversity, and the environment.

I spoke with Monsanto's West Coast Representative (hoping he could come, 
could not) and he sent me a bunch of literature on GE Foods, including a 
brochure entitled "Foods from Genetically Modified Crops," which has been 
produced by the San Diego Center for Molecular Agriculture and has been 
printed with funds provided by (appropriately enough) the University of 
California's Systemwide Biotechnology Research and Education Program and a 
grant from the Samuel R. Noble Foundation (email mchrispeels at ucsd.edu for a 
copy).

I have found this brochure useful for presenting a pro-GE perspective on 
Farmers, Consumers, Biodiversity, and the Environment.  I will be using 
appropriate segments of the brochure to introduce each above named topic of 
discussion.  Panelists will then be able to, one at a time, explain / 
respond to the information presented and the other panelists comments.  We 
will alternate which panelist speaks first.

I am now working on an outline for the forum, and should have this by 
tomorrow - emailed.

thanks again, Marcelino.