The following e-mail was sent to Science Learning Network teachers and staff and to the WWWEDU listserv:
ENVIRONMENTAL CASE STUDY: SUGAR AND THE EVERGLADES
Teacher Pre-Chat: Thursday, November 14 8-9 PM EST
Classroom Chat: Friday, November 15 1-3 PM EST
URL: http://www.sln.org/ (Click "Connect..." and then click "Chat...")
Voters in Florida just made some important decisions. They said no to a new
penny a pound sugar tax to pay for Everglades restoration. At the same
time, they voted to make polluters responsible for damage they cause to the
environment. Environmentalists and farmers are both left wondering where
they stand.
Where are the Everglades and why are they important? Should sugar farmers
have to pay to clean up the Everglades? Is there an environmental disput
in *your* backyard? Join students and teachers from Avocado Elementary in
rural Homestead, Florida and wildlife ecologists from the Miami Museum of
Science in this live, on-line web chat.
On the World Wide Web, go to the Science Learning Network home page at http://www.sln.org/. Click on "Connect with schools and educators"; then click "Chat with other visitors".
"Florida voters reject sugar tax" (Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/7487.htm
Everglades National Park (official site)
http://www.nps.gov/ever/
The Everglades and the 10,000 Islands (check out Totch Brown!)
http://www.florida-everglades.com/
Sugar Information Service
http://www.sugarinfo.co.uk/
US Sugar Debate
http://webking.com/fotl/19960214/Topic_01.html
rad: . . . . Thu, Nov 14, 6:05PM PST
Hi everyone, what is up?
ted@miamisci.org: . . . . Thu, Nov 14, 6:52PM PST
Tomorrow morning I'll be connecting from Avocado Elementary in Homestead with two farmers and possibly a vice president of U.S. Sugar. Be prepared for the presentation of both sides of the discussion.
ted@miamisci.org: . . . . Thu, Nov 14, 6:55PM PST
Come back to this page Friday, November 14 from 1 PM to 3 PM for a conversation about
agriculture and the Florida Everglades. Florida citizens just voted no to a penny-a-pound tax to assist in Everglades restoration, but they voted yes to make Everglades polluters responsible for their damage. Now both Florida sugar farmers and Florida ecologists are left wondering where they stand. Where are the Everglades? Why are they important to us? Why should the sugar industry have to pay to restore them? Are there other threats to the Everglades? Is their an environmental dispute in your area? Join us, we'd love to hear from you.
Ted Myers (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 9:48AM PST
SUGAR/EVERGLADES Greetings, and welcome to the chat. I'm writing from Avocado Elementary in Homestead, Florida. Joining us today will be a local farmer who is also a parent at the school, teachers from this school and other Science Learning Network schools across the country, and possibly a representative from U.S. Sugar. The chat will begin at 1:00 PM EST.
Ted Myers (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:10AM PST
Hello, again. Just checking to see if anyone's there yet. Tim Williams, a local potato farmer, just arrived here at school.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:24AM PST
Hello! Nice to be with everyone. I am a 4th generation farmer and native Floridian. Being a graduate of Avocado Elementary School it is certainly a pleasure to be back, my son Jason attends Mrs. Lloyds class here. Any questions about the Ag. perspective ?
Ted Myers (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:30AM PST
Yes, I have a question. Do you believe that sugar farms are responsible for pollution in the Everglades? What other parties do you feel are responsible?
Ted Myers, Miami Museum of Science (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:48AM PST
I believe the most important thing to know is that human impact on the Everglades comes from more sources than just agriculture. More than half of the original Everglades area is gone, and although much of the lost wetlands have become agricultural lands, I'd say an equal amount has become developed for housing and commerce.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:52AM PST
Depends on what you call polution. Sugar farming uses fertilizer, just like all comercial Ag. production. The plants sometimes don't use all the fertilizer that is applied. The problem arises when that unused fertilizer "runs off" or "leaches" from the field. The sugar farmers have spent a lot of money to determine what the proper ammount of fertilizer to use is. The farmers in the E.A.A. have done a tremendous job of reducing phosphate levels by as much as 60%. The Everglades National Park is receiving excellent quality water from the E.A.A. as is Loxahachee Strand, according to Dick Ring Director Everglades National Park. Who is a poluter of the Everglades? The
URBAN DEVELOPMENT on the eastern coastal ridge, as well as the smaller comunities scattered through the glades. Septic tanks, stormwater run off, dilipidater sewage treatment facilities, Mining activities, etc.
Ted Myers, Miami Museum of Science (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:53AM PST
Well, perhaps even more imporant is that the survival of the Everglades is essential for people to live and work in south Florida. Without it we wouldn't have enough water to drink, irrigate our crops, or to play in. Since South Florida's population is growing by leaps and bounds, either the Everglades must be preserved and restored or we need to stop the rapid population increase.
Dave: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:54AM PST
Why not tax the heck out of the developers, as well as imposing strict pollution standards with steep fines for non compliance?
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 10:58AM PST
Kam, The most important thing to know is that the effects on the everglades from agriculture pale in comparison to the potential effects of development. Also Agriculture is commited to fixing their adverse impacts 100 % the Everglades Forever Act passed in 1994 commits over 200 million dollars of sugar & other ag money to this effort.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:00AM PST
Go Dave Go! I agree wholehartedly, impact fees might fund other population related problems in South Fla. School construction perhaps?
Ted Myers, Miami Museum of Science (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:02AM PST
Kam, is Michael Simmons going to join us today? Is he with Buckman?
Anonymous: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:04AM PST
What about alternate fertilization methods? Is there research to find a "friendlier" fertilizer. Or perhaps one that stays put?
Kam: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:05AM PST
This sounds a lot like the issues we have regarding the farming lands around Portland's (the one in Oregon) Metropolitan area - the struggle to find a balance between urban development and agriculture.
Kam: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:06AM PST
No, Michael won't be able to join us this morning. He is interested in ongoing discussion the subject though.
tfun: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:09AM PST
hi marcia!
Ted Myers, Miami Museum of Science (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:13AM PST
Well, in Florida we already have a clear plan for restoring the Everglades in close cooperation with the sugar industry. Then a penny-a-pound tax was proposed in addition to that plan. Many Florida voters felt the additional tax, and one that targeted only one group, was unnecessary.
M.Pitt: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:14AM PST
Tim Williams....Before you were a fourth generation potato farmer you were in my fifth grade class here at Avocado. Stop by the media center and visit Mrs. Pitt...I was Miss Strumer back in your school days!!!
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:17AM PST
We in ag. constantly strive twords more effective methodsof fertilization. there is a product a "bonding agent" of some sort, or coating that can make nitrogen water or non water soluable. Also crop rotation, cover crops and natural plant extracts are already being used.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:17AM PST
Hello Mrs. Pitt!
Mrs. Langford's Class, Avocado Elementary: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:19AM PST
Hello, we're joining the chat.
Ted Myers, Miami Museum of Science (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:22AM PST
Hello, Ms. Langford!!! Do your students have any questions about agriculture or the Everglades?
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:23AM PST
Kam, the strugle for balance here in Dade County may be too little too late. Agriculture finds strange alliances as it mitigates the problems already caused by development to the north. However, to separate the rights of property owners according to potential land use may not be accecptable.
Mrs. Langford's Class, Avocado Elementary: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:25AM PST
Is there a way to make the fertilizer good for animals and plants?
Mrs. Langford's Class, Avocado Elementary: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:26AM PST
What alternatives to pesticide are currently being used in South Florida?
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:31AM PST
We all depend on the same nutrients, minerals etc. to survive, Plants Animals & People just different levels at different times. Some of the by-products of Agriculture are used by other plants which are then eaten by animals. Also, some animals depend on ag practices for habitat. Does that answer the question well enough Mrs. Langfords Class?
Ted Myers, Miami Museum of Science (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:32AM PST
For those of you who may not be aware, many people think that fertilizer and pesticides from agriculture are among the many causes of pollution in the Everglades. Tim, to what extent do you think this is true?
Mrs. Langford's Class, Avocado Elementary: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:32AM PST
yes, thankyou
Mrs. Langford's Class, Avocado Elementary: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:34AM PST
Why don't they make a fertilizer out of animal droppings?
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:39AM PST
Excellent Question about PESTICIDES. There are several initiatives going on here and nationally. The most important one is I.P.M. or intigrated pest management. I.P.M. uses every tool available for managing pest populations in the crop. We have moved away from many chemicals which kill insects and beneficial insects all together. Admire is an insecticide which helps manage resistance, and does not kill benificial predators. Also Dipell is a material used to kill worms but not other insects. neither of theese products are harmfull to humans like other types of pesticides are.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:42AM PST
Ted while there are some concerns about residues found in very small ammounts , (Parts per Billion) most are from products that have not been used for 40 Years.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:43AM PST
Mrs. Langfords Class, They do. And other types of waste as well. Ever heard of Millorganite? Made in Millwakee Wiss. 90% organic.
Mrs. Langford's Class, Avocado Elementary: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:44AM PST
WHAT ABOUT LADYBUGS?
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:50AM PST
Ladybugs are grown commercialy for application to crops nationally and internationally. Organic farming depends completely on controlls of this type. Ladybugs have a voracious appetite for APHIDS. There are also beneficial funguses, neematodes, bacteria,etc. in use in South Dade. The citrus weevil, or Diaprepes, is controlled with a neemadode applied by direct spray app. to the ground.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 11:52AM PST
Bacillis Thurengensis is the active ingredient in Dipell.
bananas: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 12:04AM PST
Sandra, if you're there, let me know!
Mrs. Langford's Class, Avocado Elementary: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 12:09AM PST
We are ready to go home, thank you for answering our questions.
Ted Myers, Miami Museum of Science (ted@miamisci.org): . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 12:13AM PST
Thanks to everyone for their comments. Tim, thanks for joining us today. A web page with all the comments here will be available on the Miami Museum of Science home page, at http://www.miamisci.org/.
Tim W.Williams, 4th generation Homestead Farmer: . . . . Fri, Nov 15, 12:24AM PST
Goodbye for now, here is another address of some folks who would be able to answer questions about agriculture & the Everglades. http://www.ufl.edu/ For materials or other information about agriculture, including $ for your school programs reach the Florida Farm Bureau, ask for Scott Christmas or Dennis Emmerson and the Ag. In The Classroom Program. http://nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu/~ffbic/ffbf.html
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