2014 New Jersey Agricultural Convention

This week we headed to the New Jersey Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City, NJ.

Like last week, we got to browse the trade show...

Brandt checking out bees for greenhouse pollination

We also attended lectures on:

• Hydroponics
• CSA management 
• Food Safety
• Sweet Corn Trials
• Risk Management
• Agritourism
• Nutritional Information of Greens
• and many more

But the most interesting and eye-opening was the talk on Biotechnology.

photo courtesy of  investigatorawards.org

Bill Hallman, a professor of Human Ecology at Rutgers University gave a revealing lecture on the public's perception on GMO's.

Like the speaker last week, Bill again stated that the only GMO crops are: corn, soybeans, cotton, squash, papaya, alfalfa, and sugar beets. This does not mean that every variety of these crops are GMO it just means that there are varieties of these crops that are approved for commercial growing and sale.

Rutgers conducted a survey and polled 1148 individuals in November 2013.

Some interesting findings:

• 50% said they knew nothing about biotechnology (remember that this is another name for GMO) or were confused about biotechnology
• 2/3 said that they have never engaged anyone in conversation about biotechnology
• many people blamed the increase in gluten allergies in biotech. wheat (no GMO wheat varieites are approved)
• When told why GMOs exist and are being grown, individuals were overwhelmingly more supportive of GMOs

He explained that people often search for information that supports their attitudes and viewpoints. 

Hallman challenged us as farmers, to have conversations about GMO with our customers and make them aware of how biotechnology has helped us and how it helps them. 

• Corn and squash are inserted with a gene that makes them resistant to harmful pests which reduce the amount of pesticide that needs to be used 
• Crops are grown to be more drought and disease resistant

 The key here is communication. We need to do our part to help educate our customers and the general public on the science of biotechnology and consumers also need to also do their own research but to make sure that they have credible sources.

 Click HERE for Bill Hallman's  full report!
                             
We even had some family time at the convention!

Dale III & Brandt enjoying social hour after a long day of lectures

Carol and I checking out the latest John Deere tractors

We really enjoy these conventions and the fact that they allow us to learn and connect with other members of the agriculture industry.