Writing
The Mendocino Model: Californians Support Sustainable Agriculture!
Aug 3rd
On March 6, 2004 residents of Mendocino County passed Measure H, banning the planting of Genetically Engineered (GE) crops — also known as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) — within their county. The measure is now being used as a model in at least a dozen other counties in California where local residents are well on their way to passing similar measures. Organizers in Butte, Humboldt, Marin and San Luis Obispo counties have already collected enough signatures to place measures on the November ballot. Californians feel that local measures seeking to ban the cultivation of GE crops are critical steps toward economically and ecologically sustainable agriculture.
California farmers produce more than 350 varieties of crops and export more than any state in the US. Although California is recognized as a world leader in organic food production and sustainable agriculture, the world’s largest biotechnology companies are attempting to force GE crops onto California’s farms. Genetic engineering poses a significant risk to the environment, our food supply and the economic health of farmers.
International D.I.Y. of Action
Feb 15th
SANTA CRUZ, CA – I was delighted to see thousands of people marching from the Santa Cruz County Building to the Mission Plaza. There has not been a demonstration this large here in many years (Bruce Bratton, are you in?). I believe this is only a small taste of organized mass resistance to war in Santa Cruz.
Most of my time was spent conversing with people and distributing flyers about Santa Cruz Indymedia. Most people I spoke with were very excited to learn about Santa Cruz Indymedia. I specifically made a point to try and explain Indymedia to the hundreds of photographers and videographers that participated in the march and rally.
The Maize Maze in Mexico
Dec 9th
Table of Contents:
- Maize and the Role it Plays
- A Forced Migration
- When Will the Market Be Open?
- Minding the Maize
- Biopiracy: The Exploitation of Life and Indigenous Knowledge
- The Connection Between Genetic Diversity and Subsistence Farming
- MASECA and MINSA: Free Trade Flour vs. Traditional Tortillas
- NAFTA Tills Mexico’s Soil for the Violence of Biotechnology
- But You Promised
- Endnotes
- Works Cited
Bradley Stuart
Winter Quarter 2002
Environment and Culture
Environmental Studies 190
UC Santa Cruz
Professor Ravi Rajan
Download as (PDF)
Beyond Biodevastation: Through the Mind and Eyes of a Demonstrator
Jun 25th
Sunday the 25th of June 2001 was the day the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) began a conference to discuss the use of biotechnology in the future. BIO consists of representatives from the world’s largest and most influential multinational agricultural and pharmaceutical corporations, as well as some smaller national corporations. These corporations all share the desire to use biotechnology as a tool to create and patent genetically modified forms of life in their effort to make enormous profits all around the world.
In response to the BIO conference, political and social activists of all ages, well respected authors, dedicated farmers, investigative reporters, university educators, students, parents and workers joined together at a church in the Hillcrest section of San Diego and then at San Diego City College to learn from each other about the harmful repercussions of biotechnology and promote sustainable organic fanning methods. The event was called Beyond Biodevastation and 2001 was the fourth year that people came together for this annual teach-in and demonstration. Many in attendance were local to San Diego, while other people traveled from the eastern United States and other countries such as India.v It was wonderful to experience all the people gathered together, sharing their ideas with one another in discussions and by distributing written pamphlets, books, newspapers, bumper stickers, and t-shirts. The display of amazingly artistic murals and street theatre performances were inspiring, informative, and entertaining.
