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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Antispam question: How many total fingers does a human have? Answer: Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by PJK[/i] [br]This may sound lame to some here, but a friend of mine is running for position of White House Farmer. It would be great to at least get him to the top 3! Please vote for Brian. Here is a little about him. My (Brian Rakita of Dixie Hollow Farm) manifesto about why I think that I would be a great candidate for the White House Farmer. If anybody feels so moved to nominate me at http://www.whitehousefarmer.com/ I would feel honored. . . . I have been farming organically within 100 miles of DC region for 14 out of the last 15 years. I successfully managed a CSA and a organic seed business in the region, and I know how to grow food here. I know where to turn in the neighborhood for resources and partnerships. I have managed 2 successful SARE grants to build the capacity of the Southeast to produce our own seeds. I know how to succeed while working with bureaucracy. I work well with people of all ages. I have successfully managed teams around the size of over ten people. I especially enjoy working with children, and would relish the opportunity to show non farm people how they can grow food on whatever land that they have available. I have attended over 30 sustainable agriculture conferences since 2000, and have been a speaker at the majority of them. In addition to this, I have taught many stand classes specifically about seed production, teaching organic seed production techniques to over 200 individuals. As an organic seed grower and breeder, I know that classical breeding of grains and vegetables can be used to increase production and regional adaptability. As White House Farmer, I would use the platform to show that more progress can be made through classical and hybridized breeding than with genetically modified crops, along with a higher level of consumer and environmental safety. Beyond being an experienced organic farmer, I am an Independent Organization of Organic Inspectors (IOIA) trained inspector for compliance with the National Organic Program, and have been conducting inspections for such certification professionally. As White House farmer, I would commit to transition the chemically managed 5 acre white house lawn to an organically certified operation as quickly as possible. In addition to experience raising vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, flowers, and seeds, I am also a student of integrating crops and livestock into a sustainable "permaculture" food system. As White House farmer, I would immediately asses the feasibility of integrating a self sustaining system of healthy animals and plants with the intention of meeting the needs of the White House chef, flower decorator, and local area food banks. [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.