2007 San Luis Obispo Corn Survey
Download the survey for printing: 2007 Corn Survey
Genetically engineered Bt corn was developed by the Monsanto Corporation. It is created by inserting into the DNA of the corn a gene from a bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a toxin that kills the corn earworm. Bt corn is registered with the EPA as a pesticide, but approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human consumption and no labeling is required.
In June 2006, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for a precautionary moratorium on the planting of genetically engineered crops in the county, based on the recommendations of the GE Subcommittee of its Public Health Com-mission. The Commission noted health risks, risk of contamination, lack of long-term human health testing, and the lack of regulation and failure of the federal government to follow its own limited standards for GE crops. The report contrasted sharply with the near simultaneous report of the San Luis Obispo County Health Commission’s G.M.O. Task Force, which argued in support of the status quo: No moratorium, no monitoring, no labeling.
The SLO County Board of Supervisors directed the County’s farmers to see if they could find a way GE and conventional and organic crops can coexist.
From May through July, SLO GE Free conducted a survey of all the growers of sweet corn we could find in San Luis Obispo County.
The results of the survey are shown in the table below.
SLO GE Free thanks all those who responded to the poll.
|
Growing & Selling |
Clark Valley Farming |
Highland Ranch |
Chaparral Gardens |
Overly Growers |
Blue Sky Gardens |
Jack Gibson |
Park Organics |
Mt.Olive Farm |
Windrose Farm |
Chase Farm |
|
Are you growing genetically engineered (GMO) corn, also known as Bt corn or Roundup Ready Corn?
|
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No
|
No |
No |
|
If you are growing genetically engineered corn, are you labeling your corn as genetically engineered/GMO?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you growing certified organic corn?
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
If you are growing certified organic corn, are you labeling your corn certified organic?
|
Yes |
|
Yes |
|
|
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Do you sell your corn at retail?
|
Farmers markets and CSA |
No |
Avila farmers market |
|
Corn maze for pumpkin season |
Cambria farmers market |
Farmers market |
Farmers mkt and our farm store |
No |
CSA subscription farm |
|
Contamination Concerns
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you aware that genetically engineered corn is being grown at two locations in San Luis Obispo County?
|
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Are you concerned that genetically engineered corn being grown in the County might contaminate your field or seeds?
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No
|
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
89% of Americans want GM labeling
