Soil & Plants (Part 103)

By: John Ferguson

A question I frequently get asked is, “Why does the EPA, USDA and FDA allow the toxic chemicals to be sold for gardening?” The main reason is, it is VERY profitable for the manufacturers of these chemicals; hence they will lie, cheat, steal, bribe, etc. and anything else they can think of to protect their profits. The story of Monsanto and the herbicide Round Up clearly reveal this process (see the book called “White Washed”). 

One of the ways they do this is by hiring scientists to lie about the safety of these products. The Dr. Mercola newsletter has a nice article on the subject titled “Why Do Scientists Defend Poison?” 

If you would like more information a couple good books on the subject are: 

Merchants of DOUBT: How a handful of scientists obscured the truth on issues from Tobacco smoke to global warming, by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, Bloomsbury Press, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-59691-610-4    

Science For Sale: How the US Government Uses Powerful Corporations and Leading Universities to Support Government Policies, Silence Top Scientists, Jeopardize Our Health, and Protect Corporate Profits, by David Lewis, PhD., Skyhorse Publishing, 2014, ISBN: 978-1-62636-071-6 

Note: All proceeds from this book go to the National Whistle Blower’s Center (www.whistleblowers.org) 

While not a gardening book, it helps explain why so many folks are adding vegetables, herbs and fruits to their gardening to protect their health. 

FDA – Failure, Deception, Abuse – The Story of an Out-of-Control Government Agency and What It Means For Your Health, Life Extension Foundation, Praktikoa Books, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-60766-001-9. 

I read this book a couple years ago and it is scary in how the FDA suppresses new technology that would save lives. It describes how the FDA uses its power to raid researchers and Doctor’s offices, confiscate materials, and suppress any new life saving therapy. Anything to protect the profits of drug companies. 

On a positive note there is a new documentary coming out for naturalists and gardeners that looks fascinating called “Fantastic Fungi”. Follow the link to see the trailer for “Fantastic Fungi”

If you enjoyed the trailer on fungi, another book for gardeners that would make a great Christmas gift, is on the benefits and role of fungi in gardening is: 

Teaming With Fungi: The Organic Growers Guide to Mycorrhizae, by Jeff Lowenfels, Timber Press, 2017, ISBN: 978-160469-729. 

For those whom want a little more information, these are three fascinating books on fungi: 

“Mycorrhizal Planet – How Symbiotic Fungi Work with Roots to Support Plant Health and Build Soil Fertility“, Michael Phillips, 2017, Chelsea Publishing, 

ISBN: 978-1603586580. 

Mycelium Running, How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, by Paul Staments, Ten Speed Press, ISBN 978-1-58008-579-3. This book is a deeper look at fungus and how it affects the world around us from plants to humans. The second edition was recently released.    

Radical Mycology – A Treatise on Seeing and Working with Fungi by Peter McCoy, 2016, Chthaeus Press, ISBN 978-0-9863996-0-2). 

And for those with a serious interest in fungi we have the college textbook: 

The Fungal Community – Its Organization and Role in the Ecosystem, 4th edition, 2017, edited by John Dighton and James White, CRC Press, ISBN: 13-978-1-4987-0665-0.