Sustainable Agriculture Calendar of Events - 1993 (SANET-MG)
Larry London
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1993 15:57:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: Gabriel Hegyes <ghe...@nalusda.gov>
Subject: SAN Calendar, June, 1993.
To: SANET-mg <sane...@ces.ncsu.edu>
CALENDAR OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE EVENTS
SARE/ACE CALENDAR FOR FY 1993
Sponsored by the Sustainable Agriculture Network and the
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, NAL
If you would like us to include your events please send
the event name, place, contact, and sponsor, to Alternative Farming
Systems Information Center, ATTN: SAN/AFSIC Calendar, Room 304,
National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Boulevard,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2351. FAX: (301) 504-6409.
INTERNET: ghe...@nalusda.gov
Updated: June 11, 1993
*** Events added since last edition
June 1-September 30, 1993.
***Event: Tours of Heritage Farm. Heritage Farm is the home of
Seed Savers Exchange which has been collecting and
storing Heirloom varieties from all over the world.
Contact: Kent Whealy, Seed Savers Exchange, RR 3, Box 239,
Decorah, IA 52101.
June 18 - 19, 1993
Event: Application of Advanced Information
Technologies: Effective Management of Natural
Resources.
Place: Sheraton Spokane Hotel, Spokane, Washington.
Contact: ASAE Meetings Dept., 2950 Niles Rd.,
St. Joseph, MI
Sponsor: The American Society of Agricultural Engineers.
49085-9659. (616) 429-0300.
June 20-26, 1993
Event: "International Workshop on Sustainable Land
Management for the 21st Century"
Place: University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta,
Canada
Contact: Conference Services, University of Lethbridge, 4401
University Dr., Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, T1K 3M4
June 23-26, 1993
Event: Environmental Education 2000 - International
Conference.
Place: Leesburg, VA.
Contact: Alliance for Environmental Education, 51 Main Street,
P.O. Box 368, The Plains, VA 22171.
VOICE: (703) 253-5812. FAX: (703) 253-5811,
EMAIL: alli...@igc.apc.org.
June 27-29, 1993
***Event: 1993 Arkansas Rural Development Conference.
Place: Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Contact: (501) 682-6011 VOICE.
June 28-July 9, 1993
***Event: Second International School of Rural Development.
Place: Galway, Ireland.
Contact: Dr. Seamus Grimes, Department of Geography, University
College, Galway, Ireland. (353) 912-4411 VOICE
(353) 912-5700 FAX. gfygrimes@bodkin@ucg.ie INTERNET.
June 28-August 20, 1993
Event: Introduction to Sustainable Agricultural
Systems (Agronomy 192)
Place: Student Experiment Farm, University of California,
Davis. 8 units of California credit. Limited
enrollment, space should be reserved by
May 14, 1993.
Contact: Mark Van Horn, Student Experiment Farm, Dept.
of Agronomy,
University of California, Davis, CA 95616.
(916) 752-7645.
July 6-10, 1993
***Event: Canadian Seed Trade Association Annual Convention
Place: Chateau Whistler Resort, British Columbia.
Contact: CSTA, 207-2948 Baseline Road, Ottawa,
Ontario K2H 8T5, Canada. (613) 829-9527 VOICE.
July 8, 1993
***Event: Agriculture Conservation and Environmental Center
Field Day
Place: Ridgway, IL.
Contact: Bill Tieberand, Ridgway Seed Company, P.O. Box 88,
Ridgway, IL 62979. (618) 269-3430 VOICE.
(618) 269-3341 FAX.
July 10, 1993
***Event: "From the Farm to Your Table, Organically: People,
Plans and Process."
Place: Fullerton, North Dakota
Contact: Farm Verified Organic, Inc., RR #1, Box 40A,
Medina, ND 58467. (701) 486-3578 VOICE.
(701)486-3580 FAX.
Sponsor: Farm Verified Organic, Inc.
July 10-14, 1993
Event: Food Choices 2000: Sustainable Food Choices for
the 21st Century,
Place: Hawaii.
Contact: Oldways Preservation & Trust, 45 Milk Street,
Boston, MA 02109, (617) 695-0600, (617) 426-7696.
July 13, 1993
Event: Annual Field Day, "Building New Roads from Market to
Market".
Place: North Dakota State University Carrington Research
Extension Center, Carrington, ND.
Contact: John Gardner, NDSU Carrington Research Extension
Center, Box 219, Carrington, ND 58421.
VOICE: (701) 652-2951. FAX: (701) 652-2055.
July 14-15, 1993
Event: Leopold Center Annual Conference
Contact: Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 126 Soil
Tilth Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
50011-3120, (515) 294-3711
July 17-September 18, 1993
Event: OEFFA's 11th Annual Farm Tour/Workshop Series. Six
weekends of farm tours.
Contact: Holly Fackler, (419) 687-7665 VOICE. Or Kamyar Enshayan,
(614) 292-3786 VOICE.
Sponsor: OEFFA and Ohio State University.
July 25-30, 1993
Event: 4th International Conference on Desert Development
Place: Mexico City, Mexico
Contact: Manuel Anaya Garduna. Executive Secretary, Scientific IV
ICDD, Colegio do Post-graduados, Montecillo, Edo.l de
Mexico 56230. Mexico. VOICE: (52) 595-45701.
FAX: (52) 595-4573. Or P.O. Box 91, Chapingo,
Edo. de Mexico. 56230.
Mexico.
Sponsor: International Desert Development Commission in
collaboration with the Government of Mexico.
August 5, 1993
***Event: 13th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Tour
Place: Farms in south central Nebraska
Contact: Center for Sustainable Ag. Systems, 221 Keim Hall,
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0949.
(402) 472-2056 VOICE
Sponsor: Center for Sustainable Ag. Systems and Nebraska
Sustainable Ag. Society.
August 8-11, 1993
***Event: "Exploring Conservation Frontiers."
Place: Fort Worth, TX
Contact: SWCS, (515) 289-2331 VOICE or 1-800-THE SOIL
Sponsor: SWCS
August 13-20, 1993
Event: Ethnosciences International Workshop
Place: Emerson College, Sussex, UK
Contact: Tadue Caldas, Emerson College, Forest Row, Sussex
RH18 5JX, UK. VOICE: +44-342-824622.
FAX: +44-342-824949.
August 13-15, 1993
Event: 10th Annual Summer Conference & Celebration of Rural
Life
Place: Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts
Contact: Julie Rawson, 411 Sheldon Road, Barre, MA 01105
(508)355-2853
Sponsor: Natural Organic Farmers Association
August 15-18, 1993
Event: North American Agroforestry Conference
Place: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Contact: Dr. Richard D. Schultz, (515) 294-7602
August 30-September 2, 1993
Event: First Biomass Conference of the Americas:
Energy, Environment, Agriculture, and Industry.
Place: Radisson Hotel Burlington, Burlington, Vermont.
Contact: NREL conferences Group, National Renewable Energy
Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd.,
Golden, CO 80401. (303)231-1158.
September 2, 1993
***Event: Agronomy Day
Place: Agronomy-Plant Pathology South Farm,
University of Illinois.
Time: 7:00am-2:00pm
Contact: Sharon Conatser, (217) 333-4424 VOICE.
Sponsor: University of Illinois
September, 1993
Event: Sustainable Agriculture in the North and in the South.
Place: Germany or the Netherlands (to be announced).
Contact: European Ecumenical Organization for Development (EECOD),
174 rue Joseph II, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium.
September, 5-13 1993
Event: International Conference on "The Experience of
Integrated Resource Management (IRM) for Sustainable
Agriculture"
Place: Beijing, P.R. China
Contact: Professor Cheng Xu, Vice President, Beijing
Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China, Phone:
86-1-258-2244 (Ext. 271), FAX: 86-1-258-2332 or
Professor Shu Geng, Department of Agronomy and Range
Science, University of California, Davis, CA
95616-8515, (916) 752-6939, FAX: 916-752-4361
A limited number of brochures are available from
Jill Auburn through Internet: jsau...@ucdavis.edu
September 7-9, 1993
Event: The 3rd International IFOAM Conference: Trade in
Organic Foods
Place: Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Contact: New Hope Communications/IFOAM Conference, ATTN: Expo
Registration Department, 1301 Spruce Street,
Boulder, CO 80302.
(303) 939-8440.
Sponsors: The International Federation of Organic Agriculture
Movements, The Organic Foods Production Association
of North America and New Hope Communications
September 14-18, 1993
Event: The Sixth National Urban Forest Conference
Place: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Contact: NUFC, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, DC 20013-2000
September 20-24, 1993
Event: 1st International Conference on Diffuse (nonpoint)
Pollution: Sources, Prevention, Impact and
Abatement
Place: Chicago, IL
Contact: IAWPRC, c/o Dr. Vladimir Novotny, Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Marquette
University, 1515 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI
53233
Sponsor: International Association for Water Pollution
Research and Control (IAWPRC)
September 25, 1993
***Event: COLDFRAMES, Learn how to extend your growing
season by building a mini-greenhouse. $5.00 per person.
Place: Fox, Arkansas.
Contact: Meadowcreek Project, PO Box 100, Fox, AR 72051
(501) 363-4500 VOICE.
September 27-October 1, 1993
Event: International Symposium on Nitrogen Utilization and
Losses in Ecological Agriculture.
Place: The Agricultural University of Copenhagen
Contact: The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
Dept. of Agricultural Sciences, Ecological
Agriculture, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Copenhagen.
+45 3528 3456.
FAX:+45 3528 3468.
Sponsor: Danish Ministry of Agriculture
October 1-3, 1993
***Event: New England ECO-EXPO and Green Business Conference,
Place: Boston, Massachusetts. Now being organized.
Contact: Eco-Expo, 14260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 201,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. (818) 906-2700 VOICE.
October 5-7, 1993
Event: 3rd International Kyusei Nature Farming Conference,
"Nature Farming for a Sustainable Agriculture".
Place: Santa Barbara, California.
Contact: Assistant Conference Coordinator, Nature Farming Research
& Development Foundation, 6495 Santa Rosa Rd., Lompoc, CA
93463. Or Susan Randall, (805) 737-1536
October 12-16, 1993
Event: North American Symposium, Association for Farming
Systems Research-Extension.
Place: University of Florida
Contact: AFSRE/NA Symposium, University of Florida, PO Box
110240, Gainsville, FL 32611-0240.
VOICE: 904-392-5830. FAX: 904-392-8634.
October 24-26, 1993
Event: Conference on Science and Sustainability:
Reshaping Agricultural Research and Education.
Place: Seattle, WA.
Contact: Norma Fuentes-Scott, (509) 335-2921, Colette
DePhelps, (509) 335-2887.
#################################################################
APPENDIX
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Regional Research Grants Schedules
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
program is a continuation of what was formerly known as LISA.
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis for research and
educational projects in sustainable agriculture.
Administration of the program takes place through four
regional centers, each of which has a separate schedule for
its call for proposals and other deadlines. The schedules
will be included in this calendar as they become available.
Following are the addresses of the Regional centers:
North Central Region Western Region
Steve Waller, Coordinator David Schlegel, Coordinator
Agriculture Hall Office of the Vice Pres., DANR
Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln University of California
Lincoln, NE 68583-0704 Oakland, CA 94612-3560
(402) 472-2973 (510) 987-0029
Northeast Region Southern Region
Frederick R. Magdoff, William H. Brown
Coordinator Louisiana State University
Dept. of Plant & Soil A M College, PO Box 25055
Science Drawer E, University Station
University of Vermont Baton Rouge, LA 70893-0905
Burlington, VT 05405 504-388-1766
(802)656-2630
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Proposed Schedule for FY-1993
January 15, 1993
Deadline for receiving full proposal
March 8-10, 1993
Technical Committee meets to evaluate proposals
April
Submit Plan of Work to USDA
April 5-7, 1993
Recommendation for approval by Administrative Council
WESTERN REGION
Proposed Schedule for FY-1993
January 26-27, 1993
Technical Review Panel Meets
February 25-26, 1993
Administrative Council Meets
March
Submit Plan of Work to USDA
March
Notification of Funding Recommendations
April
Issue Contracts
NORTHEAST REGION
Proposed Schedule for FY-1993
January 29, 1993
Deadline for submitting proposals to the regional
coordinator's office.
March 22-23, 1993
Technical committee meets to evaluate proposals for
recommendation to the administrative council.
March 23, 1993
Joint meeting of the technical committee and
administrative council.
March 23-24, 1993
Administrative council evaluates proposals and selects
projects for proposed funding.
April
Submit Plan of Work to USDA
April 5, 1993
Letters sent notifying project coordinators about funding
decisions.
SOUTHERN REGION
Proposed Schedule for FY-1993
January 7, 1993
Full Proposals due
February
Submit Plan of Work to USDA
February 8-10, 1993
Technical Committee Meeting
February 10-11, 1993
Administrative Council Meeting
February 19, 1993
Notification of Funding Recommendations
March 15, 1993
Revised Proposals due
Early April, 1993
Issuance of Contracts
Larry London
From: Michelle Thom <mt...@igc.apc.org>
Date: 10 Jun 93 13:42 PDT
Subject: Sustainable Ag News - 6/11/93
To: Recipients of conference "susag.news" <susag...@conf.igc.apc.org>
Sustainable Agriculture News Bulletin
Volume 2, Number 5
June 11, 1993
------------------------------------------------
News Summaries
------------------------------------------------
FLORIDA AG COMMISSIONER ASKS DUPONT TO RESUME
BENLATE PAYMENTS
Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture Bob Crawford has asked the
DuPont chemical company to continue making payments to farmers
who filed claims against the company's Benlate product. "I strongly
urge DuPont to live up to its legal and ethical responsibility by fully
compensating the remaining growers who are awaiting restitution
from DuPont," Crawford wrote in a letter to the company's chief
executive officer Edgar Wollard. Crawford said his staff reviewed
over 60,000 DuPont documents and is not convinced that Benlate was
not the cause of the crop damage that caused Florida farmers to file
claims in the first place. "My scientific staff has reached the
conclusion that the DuPont corporation has know for years about
certain phytotoxic effects of Benlate," said Crawford. DuPont paid out
more than $400 million in claims over the last two years until last
November when the company stopped paying the settlements, citing
internal research that showed no correlation between their product
and crop damage suffered by Florida farmers. Benlate was recalled
from the fungicide market in 1991 after growers said it caused leaf
damage and crop mutations. A statement issued by the company
late last week stated, "There is no evidence -- not uncontroverted
and not growing -- that Benlate DF is responsible for massive
agricultural crop losses. If the commissioner believes he has
evidence we think it would be appropriate for him to share it with
us."
Source: "Florida Asks DuPont to Settle Benlate Claims," REUTER, June
3, 1993; "Fla. Says DuPont Knew of Fungicide Threat Early," JOURNAL
OF COMMERCE, June 7, 1993; "DuPont Knew of Benlate Threat, State
Regulator Says," UPI, May 3, 1993; Kerry Dressler, "Benlate Surprise,"
June 6, 1993.
HOUSE AG SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS PESTICIDE REGISTRATION
HEARING
This week, the House Agriculture Subcommittee held a two-day
hearing on the issue of registering and re-registering pesticides.
Testimony was given by the government, the chemical industry and
the environmental movement on the first day of the hearing. The
second day featured panels addressing minor crop and alternative
pesticides. "The Subcommittee is interested in reviewing the status
of the registration and re-registration processes, and discussion
means by which these processes may be improved. I look forward to
hearing from and working with all responsible parties in pursuing
any necessary improvements in the current process," said
Subcommittee chair Charles Stenholm (D-TX). Bob Smith (R-OR)
emphasized that "many of the pesticide use problems faced by
American agriculture today originate with registration and re-
registration."
Acting assistant to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Victor
Kimm predicted it will take the agency until the year 2004 to re-
register all pesticides on the market -- well beyond the 1997
deadline set by Congress. At the House Subcommittee hearing, Kimm
said that 405 registration cases involving around 700 pesticides and
20,000 products have yet to be settled. "We expect to issue re-
registration eligibility documents (REDs)for about 55% of re-
registration cases by fiscal 1997," Kimm said. "The remaining REDs
will be issued between 1997 and 2004."
Kimm also said that the Clinton administration does not yet have a
plan to revise the Delaney Clause which prohibits pesticide residues
in food. "Although we have set no deadline for public presentation of
the proposal, the work group will be moving ahead quickly," said
Kimm. Under a strict interpretation of the Delaney Clause by a San
Francisco appeals court, cancer-causing additives are not permitted
in food. The EPA recently published a list of 32 chemicals that are
affected by the ruling. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Richard
Rominger said, "Pesticide policy is a major focus of the
administration. We fully recognize the need for action."
Source: "Decade More Needed for Pesticide Review, EPA Says,"
REUTER, June 8, 1993; Pesticide Registration Hearing Slated," HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE NEWS RELEASE, June 3, 1993; "No
Pesticide Rewrite Plan Yet," REUTER, June 8, 1993.
CALIFORNIA WANTS PEST-FREE BORDER WITH MEXICO
California Governor Pete Wilson is requesting the support of the U.S.
Congress in establishing a pest-free zone along the U.S. border with
Mexico. Wilson hopes that such a zone would keep the spread of the
Mexican fruit fly in check. The Mexican fruit fly is second only to the
Mediterranean fruit fly in its destructive power. In a recent letter,
Senator Diane Feinstein said that agricultural losses have amounted
to as much as $200 million a year for the state. The cost of the zone
is estimated at $3.4 million.
Source: "California Seeks Pest-Free Zone," Farming Today, UPI, June
8, 1993.
BRITISH GROUP CALLS EC METHYL BROMIDE PLAN
INADEQUATE
A spokesperson for the British environmental group, Sustainable
Agriculture, Food and Environment, called a recent EC decision on
capping the production of the fungicide methyl bromide "totally
inadequate." The chemical is used to fumigate soil and crops for
quarantine purposes. It has also been linked to ozone depletion. The
European Commission proposal calls for the capping of methyl
bromide production beginning in 1995 with a 25% cut by 1996. "A
cut of 25% is totally inadequate because methyl bromide is such a
potent ozone-destroyer," said Melanie Miller. "Methyl bromide is
killing the ozone layer as well as pests. Ironically, it is used to
increase crop yields, yet the ozone damage it causes is likely to
reduce crop yields in the future." The EC is second only to the U.S.,
which plans to phase out production by the year 2000, in methyl
bromide use.
Source: "British Group Denounces EC Ozone Decision," REUTER, June 9,
1993.
OECD ESTABLISHES PESTICIDE FORUM
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
announced late last month that it will establish a Pesticide Forum to
work on programs that will reduce the risks associated with pesticide
use around the world. Some of the goals of the Forum include
surveying risk reduction activities in member countries, holding risk
reduction workshops, and possibly establishing a clearinghouse of
information on pesticide risk reduction activities around the world.
"This is the first international effort by OECD countries to combat the
escalating pesticide problems and develop a process for their
control," said Peter Hurst of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature
(WWF). Funding for the Forum will come from OECD member
countries.
Source: "First Effort to Combat Pesticides Endorsed by OECD," WWF
PRESS RELEASE, May 28, 1993.
------------------------------------------------
Resources
------------------------------------------------
WESTERN WIRE is a publication of the Western Rural
Development Center. The Spring 1993 issue contains an article
addressing the plight of farmworkers in the context of the
Immigration Reform Act of 1986. "Making the fundamental changes
in the farm labor market that are necessary in order to reduce or
eliminate farmworker poverty, instead of merely mitigating it, is the
economically and morally right thing to do," concludes author Philip
Martin. For more information, contact Western Rural Development
Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, tel: (503) 737-
3621, fax: (503) 737-1579.
The Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) has
produced a chart tracking bans and restrictions that have been
placed on the so-called Dirty Dozen pesticides. The chart is available
for $3.00 from PANNA, 116 Montgomery Street, #810, San Francisco,
CA 94105, tel: (415) 541-9140, fax: (415) 541-9253.
------------------------------------------------
Conferences/Events
------------------------------------------------
JUNE
--------------------------------------------
TOURS OF HERITAGE FARM run from June 1-September 30, 1993.
Heritage Farm is the home of Seed Savers Exchange which has been
collecting and storing Heirloom varieties from all over the world.
FFI, contact: Kent Whealy, Seed Savers Exchange, RR 3, Box 239,
Decorah, IA 52101.
CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION, June 12-14, 1993, Walthill, NE. FFI, contact: Center
for Rural Affairs, P.O. Box 406, Walthill, NE 68067, (402) 846-5428.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE STUDY TOUR, June 14-23, 1993,
Fort Collins CO. FFI, contact: ICARD, B302 Clark Building, Colorado
State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, (303) 491-5865.
SOUTHERN CONSERVATION TILLAGE CONFERENCE, June 15-17,
1993, Monroe, LA. FFI, contact: Dr. Bob Hutchinson, LSU, Macon
Ridge, LA 71295. Tel: (318) 435-2157.
SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY,
June 20-26, 1993, Lethbridge, Alberta. FFI, contact: (403) 329-
2244, fax: (403) 329-5166.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 2000 - INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, June 23-26, 1993, Leesburg, VA. FFI, contact:
Alliance for Environmental Education, 51 Main Street, P.O. Box 368,
The Plains, VA 22171, (703) 253-5812, fax: (703) 253-5811, email:
alli...@igc.apc.org.
AMERICAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL
CONVENTION, June 26-July 1, 1993, Kansas City, MO. FFI, contact:
ASTA, 601 13th Street NW, Suite 570 South, Washington D.C. 20005,
(202) 638-3128, fax: (202) 638-3171.
SECOND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT,
June 28-July 9, 1993, Galway, Ireland. FFI, contact: Dr. Seamus
Grimes, Department of Geography, University College, Galway,
Ireland, (353) 912-4411, fax: (353) 912-5700, email:
gfygrimes@bodkin@ucg.ie.
JULY
--------------------------------------------
CANADIAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL
CONVENTION, July 6-10, 1993, Chateau Whistler Resort, British
Columbia. FFI, contact: CSTA, 207-2948 Baseline Road, Ottawa,
Ontario K2H 8T5, Canada, (613) 829-9527.
AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CENTER FIELD DAY, July 8, 1993, Ridgway, IL. FFI, contact: Bill
Tieberand, Ridgway Seed Company, P.O. Box 88, Ridgway, IL 62979,
tel: (618) 269-3430, fax: (618) 269-3341.
--------------------------------------------------
Produced by: Michelle Thom, Library and Information Coordinator,
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy , 1313 5th Street SE, Suite
303, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Telephone: (612) 379-5980 Fax:
(612) 379-5982 EMail: mt...@igc.org
In addition to this twice-weekly news summary bulletin, the
Institute offers a variety of other information services on EcoNet for
farmers, educators, researchers and policymakers. These include:
Env.biotech: Weekly news summary bulletins on biotechnology;
Susag.library: Electronic "library" of documents pertaining to
sustainable agriculture; Susag.calendar: Calendar of events relating
to sustainable agriculture; Trade.news: Daily news summary
bulletins on international trade issues; Agri.farmbill: Participatory
conference on farm policy debates, including issues related to the
1995 Farm Bill
Larry London
Date: 11 Jun 93 15:49:00 EST
From: "SANFORD, TOM" <M...@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu>
Subject: June APIS
To: "casspe" <cas...@mist.cs.orst.edu>
Cc: "PATRICIA.A.CROSSETT" <PATRICIA....@dartmouth.edu>,
"GMH" <G...@reef.cis.ufl.edu>, "lola" <lo...@reef.cis.ufl.edu>,
"BURGETTM" <BURG...@cordley.orst.edu>, "TEW.1" <TE...@osu.edu>,
"SCOTTC" <SCO...@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu>,
"sanet-mg" <sane...@ces.ncsu.edu>,
"LOMBARDI" <LOMB...@ufnet.mail.ufl.edu>,
"INSSOC" <INS...@fibiol.edu.ar>,
"HSHIMANUKI" <HSHIM...@asrr.arsusda.gov>,
"SMITH" <SM...@larva.forestry.utoronto.ca>, "BILLM" <BI...@swri.edu>,
"MUNNPA" <MUN...@cardiff.ac.uk>, "SIMON" <SI...@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>,
"ECONET" <ECO...@igc.org>, "BI_JJB" <BI_...@lewis.umt.edu>,
"CYSPENG" <CYS...@ucdavis.edu>, "ECMUSSEN" <ECMU...@ucdavis.edu>
FILENAME: JUNAPIS.93
Florida Extension Beekeeping Newsletter
Apis--Apicultural Information and Issues (ISSN 0889-3764)
Volume 11, Number 6, June 1993
NEW FLORIDA RESEARCH--WHY HYBRIDS FAIL?
Anyone who has had experience with scientific research knows
that results come slowly, only after a great deal of thought and
work. Once the evidence is in, however, the patience and expense
needed to gather it are often justified. This is certainly true at
the University of Florida where research is revealing why hybrids
in the tropics are more than likely to fail.
I last reported on Dr. Glenn Hall's studies analyzing honey
bee DNA here at the University in the February 1990 issue of this
newsletter. At that time, I said a controversy existed concerning
the amount of hybridization occurring in the American tropics
between the African and European honey bee, and Dr. Hall's studies
indicated much less was happening than had been predicted because
African bees were spreading as a result of swarming, not by African
drones mating with European queens.
As I also said at that time, "...breeding programs in the
tropics relying on European drones to 'dilute' African traits will
not have much effect because (1) there are so few European queens
to mate with, and (2) the African mother lines are continuing to
produce numbers of African drones. Hybridization between European
and African bees, therefore, is asymmetrical in the tropics,
favoring African bees. This has been observed in all places so
far colonized by African bees in the Americas."
The question as to why the few hybrids created in the tropics
did not seem to persist captivated Dr. Hall. Thus, he teamed up
with Arizona State University's Jon F. Harrison, an insect
physiologist. Together they have provided the first solid data to
show the African-European hybrids are at a disadvantage in their
struggle for survival with the pure African variety. They measured
the in-flight carbon dioxide output of 15 colonies of hybrids that
Dr. Hall had established in Honduras with colleagues at the Escuela
Agricola Panamericana. They also tested the African and European
parent colonies for comparison.
The results show that African bees are "souped up"; they have
higher metabolic capacities than European bees as predicted and
observed. However, the hybrids' energy-producing capacities were
not intermediate, as originally thought, but only equivalent to or
lower than those of Europeans. The hybrids' lower metabolic rate
may result in inferior flight performance or in other ways make
them less adaptive in the tropics. Certain enzymes in the
mitochondria, where the oxygen is used and energy produced, require
mitochondrial genes that come just from the mother, as well as
nuclear genes that come from both the mother and the father.
Because African and European bees have been separated for many
thousands of years, the components of these enzymes may not be
perfectly compatible.
Drs. Hall and Harrison's evidence appears in the May 20th
issue of the international journal, Nature, the same publication
that published Dr. Hall's original findings on the spreading of
African bees by swarming. This information further confirms the
prediction and subsequent observations that two distinct
populations of bees exist in areas being colonized by African bees.
The population of European managed bees is constantly under threat
of being Africanized by the another consisting of many wild African
colonies. Because the African mother lines are intact, however,
the reverse is not true; very few European queens manage to produce
drones which will hybridize with African queens. In addition, this
new information suggests that whatever hybrids are produced in the
wild are at an extreme disadvantage and their survival is
questionable.
From a practical standpoint this means that to continue
managing European stock in tropical areas, beekeepers must
consistently requeen with European queens which must come from
outside the area under siege by African bees. To keep things in
perspective, however, Dr. Hall suggests that some hybrids which are
managed properly by beekeepers may actually be superior producers
in certain situations. This may be analagous to the current
situation where those investigating mite resistance in various
strains of bees suggest that some tradeoff may be necessary to keep
a balance, in effect substituting superior honey production for
less vulnerability to parasitic mites.
ON SUPERSEDURE
Many readers of this publication are aware of the video series
I did some time back (1977) on beekeeping. It was six half-hour
programs produced at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education,
and was shown numerous times on Georgia Public Television. That
series is history. Another has been produced by the new kid on the
block, Dr. Keith Delaplane, now extension apiculturist at the
University of Georgia.
I view this "takeover" with mixed emotions. Nobody likes to
be superseded; I can empathize with many of those mature queens in
beekeepers' colonies, suddenly replaced by vigorous, young, egg-
laying machines. On the other hand, I was getting tired of seeing
all my foibles preserved for eternity on television, including
random repeats of catch phrases as I tried to think real time while
on camera (editing was nonexistent then) and the failure to
successfully light a smoker on the director's command. In
addition, the series was dated by introduction of tracheal and
Varroa bee mites into the U.S. in the 1980s, which now present
large challenges to the modern beekeeper. So it will be good for
all to see a fresh face, get new information and reflect on a
different point of view about beekeeping. The folks in Georgia
should be commended for supporting the craft of beekeeping with two
large-scale video productions in the past two decades.
The new series, "HONEY BEES AND BEEKEEPING: A Year in the
Life of an Apiary," is currently running on Georgia Public
Television. After its debut, it will be offered to other public
television stations through SECA (Southern Educational
Communications Association). Those interested in viewing it should
get in touch with their local PBS station. A set of the videotapes
for the eight programs will be available in July for the modest
price of $59.95.
In addition to the video series, Dr. Delaplane has also
authored a companion book with the same name. It is designed to
accompany the programs, but also stands alone as an excellent
reference for the beginning beekeeper. Some twelve chapters
encompassing 138 pages with a large number of black and white
photographs cover everything from why Dr. Delaplane is an
apiculturist to his ten commandments of beekeeping. It costs
$12.50. To order and for more information on the book or series,
contact Bees, Georgia Center for Continuing Education, University
of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.
OPPORTUNITY FROM ADVERSITY
The folks in Hidalgo are capitalizing Texas style on the fact
that African bees were first found in their town. The Houston
Chronicle on April 11, 1993 ran the headline: "Killer Bee Capital
of the World--Too bee or not to bee?" The story continues: "It's
big. It's yellow and black. It's even anatomically correct. It's
a $18,500, fiberglass-and-steel statue of a killer bee, and it's
Hidalgo's shot at luring tourist swarms."
The article continues: "We need to put Hidalgo on the map, said
Mayor John David Franz, an attorney. Then, why not a killer bee?
The statue was built by the FAST Corporation of Sparta, WI, which
makes landmark and theme-park animals. FAST President Jerry
Vettrus said the killer bee is a one-of-a-kind creation. Vettrus'
compulsion for perfection drove him to ensure the big bee was an
exact replica of the real thing. In the name of anatomical
correctness, bee fans will note the big back feet face backward --
as they should."
After visiting Hidalgo in March, I can attest to the reality
of this giant bee, standing taller than a person and some twenty
feet in length! It is definitely a honey bee with four wings and
extremely realistic compound eyes and antennae. However, its feet
sport cloven hoofs, more in keeping with the ungulate population
Texas is known for, than insects.
And what about the name? The article concludes: "Some
thought Hidalgo's claim as 'killer bee' capital would scare away
the town's winter Texans, or drivers of the 25,000 vehicles that
pass through daily on their way into Mexico. But Joe Vera III,
Chamber of Commerce president, refused to buzz off. It was
'killer' or nothing. 'Can you imagine trying to read a billboard
advertising the World's Largest Africanized honeybee?' It may be
working. The big bee made Paul Harvey's radio show. Its bug-eyed
presence upstaged accordionist Myron Floren of The Lawrence Welk
Show and country music heartthrob Johnny Rodriguez at a recent
local festival. Not a day goes by when someone doesn't stop by to
snap the bee's picture."
VIDEO ENHANCED BEEKEEPERS INSTITUTE
We are planning something different this year at the
Beekeepers Institute at 4-H Camp Ocala. There will be more
structured time and the program starts earlier than usual with a
demonstration of tracheal mite dissection by Scott Yocom at 3:30
p.m., Friday, August 13. On the heels of this event, the informal
fair will be replaced by a full-blown demonstration of instrumental
insemination. Both of these demonstrations will be video enhanced,
projected by video so that more people can see the procedures as
they take place. Saturday's open hive demonstrations and evening
events will emphasize queen rearing and breeding.
The publicity brochure which contains the program and specific
information about registration procedure and costs will be mailed
by late June. If you don't receive it by late July, please contact
me for details. Late registration cut off is August 10. The fees
remain the same ($85.00 per person includes room and board) except
the one-day registration has been raised to $40.00. Finally, we
are experimenting with some optional programming for children
during the formal presentations, Saturday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Two choices are swimming and canoeing ($10.00 per hour per child,
$40.00 minimum) and environmental education classes at $20.00 per
child. We are asking for a good deal lead time on these to plan
and advance registration payment. Should these activities not be
held because of lack of attendance, fees will be refunded.
EAS AND WAS
The Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) will meet at the
University of Maine in Orno, August 2-6, 1993. EAS this year
features a full-fledged beekeeping short course as well as
traditional activities including the Master Beekeeper Program and
honey show. Those interested in registering can contact me for a
form or Tony Jadczak, State Apiarist, Maine Department of
Agriculture Division of Plant Industry, Sta#28, Augusta, ME 04333,
ph 207/287-3891.
The WAS, Western Apicultural Society will meet August 16-20,
at Simon Frazier University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
This year's event features a half-day of field oriented workshops,
a salmon barbecue and what has been billed as "bee olympics/dances
with bees (bee beards)." There is a very early registration
cutoff, June 30. For more information contact Conference Services,
Halpern Centre, Simon Frazier University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A
1S6, ph 604/2914910, fax 604/291-3420.
URBAN POLLINATION
Realization that there is a lack of feral honey bees and thus,
a marginal pollination potential in many urban areas because of
Varroa mite predation, one Florida County Cooperative Extension
office is working on a regional basis to remedy the situation. It
soon will send out information to news outlets (Duval, Nassau, St.
Johns, Putnam, and Clay counties) concerning an educational event
to encourage bee-tending for pollination as opposed to beekeeping
for honey production. If you are interested in this approach,
please contact Mr. Raymond Zerba, Clay County Extension, P.O. Box
278, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043-0178, ph 904/284-6355.
DOWN UNDER
Two of the most progressive apicultural industries in the
world are down under in New Zealand and Australia. So it is that
Dr. Jim Tew, Extension Apiculturist, The Ohio State University is
leading a tour of beekeepers this fall to the region, sponsored by
the Citizen Ambassador Program. The proposed dates are October 22
through November 5. Estimated cost is $4650 which includes
transportation, accommodations and most meals. For further
information, contact Mr. D. Michael Rennaker, Director,
Agricultural Projects, Citizen Ambassador Program, Dwight D.
Eisenhower Bldg., Spokane, WA 99202, ph 509/534-0430. The last
trip in this series was to China. Its success has led to the
current proposal.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH
Here's a thumbnail sketch of the beekeeping industry in the
United States provided by the American Beekeeping Federation. It
was published by Dr. Jim Tew in the News Digest of the Ohio State
Beekeepers Association, Spring 1993.
General Statistics:
* 125,000 beekeepers--located in every state
* 3.03 million colonies--operated by owners of five or more
colonies
* Typical commercial operation--1500-2500 colonies
* About 600 beekeepers operate 1,000 or more colonies each; as
a group these produce 75% of the U.S. honey crop
* Farm value of honey crop--$125 million
* U.S. honey consumption--1.1 pounds
* Employment--2,400 full time and 6,100 part time employees
* Added value (pollination) to 40 U.S. crops--$9.7 billion (1985
value)
Sources of Revenue:
* Honey production--$125 million
* Pollination rentals--$46 million
* Queens and packages--$27 million
* Hive products--$5 million
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
Bldg 970, Box 110620
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143
FAX: 904-392-0190
BITNET Address: MTS@IFASGNV
INTERNET Address: M...@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU