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Organic/GMO farmer informs consumers

A former dairy farmer turned berry farmer says he has important insight for consumers about sustainability. Greg Zwald was on a recent Food Dialogues panel in Madison, Wisconsin, sponsored by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), “Occasionally, I hear criticisms of what I call conventional agriculture and I can share with them why farmers have moved down that line and what the good parts are and what some challenges are within it.”

Zwald and his wife Irma grow certified organic berries and vegetables at his mostly U-pick operation in west-central Wisconsin. He also grows some GMO alfalfa, corn and soybeans – and says his customers often show surprise and concern about the health safety of GMO crops, “So, then we talk a little bit about the approval process. How many products over time have gone through that and why it appears they’re safe.”

Zwald tells Brownfield Ag News he is not certain GMO’s will be safe over the longer term. He eventually plans to transition to ALL organic production. But, he says GMOs appear to be safe from a scientific standpoint and GMO products such as vitamin-enhanced rice are helping people in parts of the world that are undernourished.

AUDIO: Interview with Greg Zwald