Dear Reader, Don’t panic when your next issue of World Ark doesn’t arrive in early July. We at the magazine are in the midst of a major overhaul and redesign. In order to devote the necessary time to this task, we are postponing one issue. But look for us back in your mailbox in early September. And look for the new and improved World Ark in early 2009.

Letters: Readers Respond

March/April World Ark

The portion of the letter from ex-senator Rudy Boschwitz in the March/April issue of World Ark magazine concerning organic agriculture indicates a view out of touch with organic production results published over the past 20 years. Universities have finally begun to pay attention to, and confirm, what organic farmers have long known—the art and science of organic ag is as productive as “chemical ag,” and gets comparatively MORE productive and financially attractive during drought periods and with every single increase in the price of a barrel of oil. We know this for a fact. My wife and I made a living as organic farmers on a small farm in Washington state for 14 years until retirement in 2001. Small-scale organic ag is the very best choice for the world’s many million rural families living on small plots of land. We owned larger acreage but actually made our living on about 2 acres (detailed in our 1996 book, Rebirth of the Small Family Farm, now published by ACRES USA) because that was the size the two of us could handle by ourselves with small-scale and generally low-tech equipment and with minimal investment. One key was the integration of livestock with crop production. And we used less than 50 gallons of gasoline/diesel per year. Some special interests have tried very hard to perpetuate a myth that intensive chemical usage and large-scale farming is essential to feed the world. ‘Tain’t so. And there are many of us all around the world who have proven that to our own and researchers’ satisfaction.
 
Bob and Bonnie Gregson
Spokane, Wash.

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In the March/April 2008 issue, Rudy Boschwitz’s letter to World Ark favors the “Green Revolution.” His letter is a fine invitation to explore the Green Revolution and compare it with Heifer’s approach. Would you consider inviting an author to respond, perhaps an author from a nation that has struggled with what the Green Revolution has wrought? Vandana Shiva, for instance, brings the perspective of an Indian woman passionate about agriculture, health and development issues.

Mark Greiner
Takoma Park, Md.

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I just wanted to tell you how terrific your latest edition of World Ark is—it makes me feel good to read through the magazine and know that I am a tiny part of the whole—isn’t that what it’s all about? I will be sending a donation for the matching grant challenge. Please keep up the good work, it’s the only way I see our future happening.

Joan Vibert 
Ottawa, Kan.

Letters: Readers Respond

Mixed Messages?

[The Mixed Media section] of the January/ February issue of World Ark caused me to pause and reflect. To refer to the book on giving by Bill Clinton as a guide leaves a little to be desired. I would suggest that you review his tax returns as governor and president to see if in fact he practiced what he now preaches. To promote “An Inconvenient Truth” as “now available on home video” makes me wonder: What is the point? Much of the so-called science has been debunked. And as for the Nobel Peace Prize, it reeks of politics. Our Church of the Brethren has used Father’s Day for many years to collect funds for Heifer Project. For as many years as I can remember, I have contributed $500 to honor the fathers of my grandchildren. Unfortunately, that is about to come to an end. I can’t decide if you are a socialist with an agenda, or just an uninformed journalist on the economics of life.

John C. Graybeal
Hanover, Penn.

Editor’s response: World Ark aims to open a dialogue about hunger, poverty and sustainability issues. We do not intentionally push any political agenda. Our mission is to inspire readers to take action to end hunger and poverty.

Letters: Readers Respond

Technology and the Poor

At the end of the day, technology only amplifies human nature. So yes, technological innovations are making it easier to feed people, enable better standards of living, respond to humanitarian crises, live in harmony with our environment, and generally be informed about and connected to each other. Sadly, technology also enables the darker side of our lives, allowing us to be greedy, sloppy and even hateful, faster and to more people. The key to ending poverty and hunger will always be in our hearts and minds. Technology will be an important tool, but it’s only as good as its beautiful, imperfect users.

Joseph Murphy
Gambier, Ohio

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Appropriately designed/targeted technologies will be instrumental in ending hunger and poverty especially in the developing world. Firsthand observation and reflection reveal that technologies have been instrumental in developing solutions to complex human life puzzles. However, a majority of the targeted hungry and poor farmers need to assume a greater responsibility in applying the new technologies. They need to be equipped with skills and technological infrastructures to enable them to do the technical work of their farming businesses.

William Ssendagire
Extension Services Supervisor
Heifer Uganda

Letters: Readers Respond

Oops!

While we enjoyed your March/April issue dealing with “technologies for the poor,” we would like to make a correction. On Page 30, your introduction to Paul Polak’s article says, “He is also the inventor of, among other things, the treadle pump.” We admire Paul for the work he has done and is still doing. I’m sure if he knew of the statement he would make the correction himself. The treadle pump was invented by my husband, Gunnar Barnes, while he was working in Bangladesh with Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS), a program of Lutheran World Federation/World Service (Geneva) in 1980. It is very gratifying that the pump has been found useful and interesting to see how fast it spread. The 1983 RDRS annual report says, “Requests regularly come from all over the world for technical specifications and/or pump models. During the year, RDRS has received and fulfilled requests from Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Sudan, Kampuchea, India, Thailand, Philippines and China.” By 1984 there had been almost 27,000 pumps sold in Bangladesh.

Clarissa Barnes
Dickson, Tenn.

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I just got your March/April issue of World Ark in my mailbox today. It’s a great magazine, and I thoroughly enjoy reading all the articles. I wanted to bring to your attention that on Page 7 there is a mention of the website “Grist.” Unfortunately the wrong Web address is listed! It’s listed as www.grist.com and it should be www.grist.org. As it’s such a great site, I hope you give them an apology and some more exposure in your next issue.

Louisa Schibli
Charlotte, Vt.

Editor’s note: Our apologies to www.grist.org.

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Correction: World Ark misidentified Loren and Twila Habegger from the Heifer-Chicago Heifer Hoedown on page 44 of the March/April 2008 issue.