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This is addressed to all of the people who have been inconvenienced by the annual agricultural burns here in the valley. The ones who have moved here because they were impressed by the serene rural atmosphere and all of the lush green fields.
Over a century ago this valley was nothing but gullies and swampland. Our grandfathers and grandmothers moved here and started to shape this valley and make it what it is today.
Leveling fields, draining swamps and constructing canals and laterals that we are now using to water our lawns. Agriculture has sustained this area through all the energy booms and busts.
The burns are not just something we do because we like it. They are a necessity. Without them, the ditches don’t drain and the weeds and bugs would take over the crops that we grow. They don’t’ take from the soil as you think they do, they help enrich it. It is the only cost effective way to manage the farm grounds. We might be able to cut back on some of this if every one would maange their own properties and help to keep the weeds from blowing across our fields.
Be patient, friends. In another five years when the last of us has finally succumbed to progress, when we finally realize that they only way to stay afloat financially is to plant some more houses, you won’t have to smell our smoke anymore. Then people can sit on their decks with their big eight passenger SUV in the driveway (with its 18 cup holders) and as you flip your $20 burger on the grill and sip your $10 bottle of beer, you can look out over all of those vast fields of houses, take a nice deep breath of carbon monoxide and say, “Man! Isn’t it nice that we don’t have to put up with those pesky farmers any more?”
TONY AND SHELIA PLSEK
Grand Junction
32 Responses to “Burns are necessary for agriculture”
Posted April 4th, 2008 at 3:06 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Thank you Tony and Sheila,
I have some very severe allergic reactions to a lot of airborne contaminates, but every year I don my mask, grab the weed burner and set out to make my property weed free.
Throughout the years I have told numerous complainers to come on over and pull the weeds.
So far no volunteers. Why do you reckon that is?
Posted April 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
[…] M Allen […]
Posted April 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Having been raised on a farm here in the valley, I understand the necessity for burning. However, other than the massive development here in the valley, there has been another change that you present day farmers may not be aware of. There has been almost a ten-fold increase in land under agricultural production. Now wait a minute before you get a rope. I have proof. During the Reagan administration, the government proposed to give amnesty to 300,000 illegal alien farm workers. When all was said and done, that number became 3 million. There was no shortage of farm workers then. That brings us to present day. The government proposes giving amnesty to 30 million illegal aliens. The reason given: a critical shortage of farm workers. What else could have caused this except a ten-fold increase in agricultural land under production. Recently we have heard all three remaining candidates for president, both Democrat and Republican opine that the illegal aliens are just here to take jobs that no American wants. Come to think of it, do you guys have any proof that you are really farmers? You are Americans, aren’t you? What is it exactly that keeps you on a job that no American would want? Love of the land, pride and an independent spirit, the urge to produce something real in a virtual world, or maybe you just feel an obligation to put food on the table of those who complain about you, rebuke you, and call you rednecks and hicks. God Bless you and God Bless America. Burn baby, Burn
Posted April 4th, 2008 at 4:40 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
If they don’t like agricultural burning, think what they will do when they find out that the “pristine” area they live in is really the dumping ground of the uranium plant that was the main employer, (other than agriculture), for all of my early life, and that they gave away sand to anyone who wanted it. A Geiger counter goes nuts almost everywhere you go, all over the valley. We have a high incidence of MS, Cancer, and other related illnesses here, but there is hope. Maybe the yuppies who are trying to take over will mutate into something useful, like farmers.
Posted April 5th, 2008 at 9:34 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Thank you to the Plseks, Willis, American Patriot and JoyceforThree. Being an “oldtimer” in this valley I get so frustrated. . no angry at the uninformed rude people who move here and think they can just change it to the way it was wherever they came from. Burning the fields, ditches is necessary as you all have nicely explained, and to me it heralds the arrival of Spring! and maybe it burns away some of those weeds that bring on allergy’s. To all the newbys who don’t like the way we do things here? well, you are welcome to drive back West. . or East. . to the cement jungles you came from.
Posted April 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Kudis to the Pselks; excellent letter!
As more and more people grow up in smothering urban environments they lose sight of the importance of agriculture. They think their food comes from City Market. There are extensive urban grids all over the country. If these city pansies can’t handle the smoke from agricultural burns then they should move to one of them after all a subdivision is a subdivision.
Posted April 6th, 2008 at 2:09 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
As you folks ponder the necessity of burning, I ask you to consider this. In my profession, for all the good I try to do there is always a prevailing oath to follow that says ‘do no harm’. No one argues that agriculture and irrigation are not important to this valley (not that all burning can be easily categorized as serving either purpose), but your arguments hold less and less water as the urbanization of the valley increases.
That is to say, you are sharing this space with others. That is to say that the economy of selfish practices really spells greater costs to your neighbors, the community and the world around you. These costs are to health, environment, property, quality of life, tourism, and community servies. The practice of burning is archaic, and like many things needs to change as times have changed. Burning has not been allowed in many parts of the country for a long time due to the ‘costs’ mentioned above.
Please, step out of your comfortable well worn shoes and have some consideration for your neighbors who are eating your smoke first hand and for the valley that traps and swallows your pollution; for your friends and fellow citizens who suffer health consequences and increased medical bills; for your fellow tax payers and fire department who have to come to the rescue when your fire goes out of control; for the poor soul who burns his own house down, not to mention his neighbor’s home; for the clean air that we all like to breathe and that affords us the expansive vistas that we cherish; for the world which now grapples with the potential catastrophic consequences of global warming and atmospheric carbon dioxide overload.
At some point we all have to make the sacrifices that are for the better of the larger community. We will be making lots more of these as we address the issues of global warming and the depletion of oil and gas reserves. This requires selflessness, an understanding of the consequences of our actions, and a genuine consideration for others and the world around us. So please, don’t just stand steadfast with your heels dug in and tell me you have to do what you’ve been doing for hundreds of years and that there is no other way - that is just not acceptable.
Posted April 6th, 2008 at 4:15 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dear dcale,
Obviously you have chosen to not understand the problem, or really do not want to understand the problem.
I’ll try really hard to make it easier for you to grasp the concept.
People who live near the Gulf Coast learn to deal with seasonal hurricanes.
People who live in “tornado alley” learn to deal with seasonal tornadoes.
People who live in the upper midwest learn to deal with seasonal blizzards and seasonal snowstorms of lesser intensity.
A lot of people all over the country learn to deal with seasonal flooding, and whatever other seasonal disturbances occur.
In short, seasonal things occur and the newcomers as well as the long term residents learn to deal with seasonal disturbances.
Since an extremely large percentage of the population boom seems to be coming from outside the valley, perhaps they need to learn that burning is a seasonal thing.
If they don’t much care for our seasonal disturbances, they are free to chose their preferred seasonal disturbance and proceed directly to that area.
A couple of your comments I will deal with directly though.
” for your fellow tax payers and fire department who have to come to the rescue when your fire goes out of control; for the poor soul who burns his own house down, not to mention his neighbor’s home”
This comment is typical of people who feel the need to exaggerate to cause emotional fear.
But if you think you have the time to do a little research and PROVE your scare tactics, feel free.
” So please, don’t just stand steadfast with your heels dug in and tell me you have to do what you’ve been doing for hundreds of years and that there is no other way - that is just not acceptable. ”
So please don’t come to this area, dig your heels in and tell us that we have to cater to your childish whims.
THAT IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE!
I checked my guest list, and out of all the people that came into this valley that I do not know, your name was distinctly missing.
You had a life prior to coming here, explain WHY you think you should live here instead of there.
You came here for YOUR reasons, our lives will not change if you disappear.
The vast majority of newcomers do not have a problem, they have the intellectual ability to understand.
It’s only a very few that are incapable of melding into the rustic charm of the valley.
Since you came close to quoting the Hippocratic Oath, I suppose you could write yourself a prescription for 40mg of Valium. That may help with your anxiety problem.
Have a nice day.
Oh yes, I quote “This requires selflessness”.
We should selflessly cater to your selfishness?
Posted April 6th, 2008 at 6:59 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
WLJ - Your comments are not really amenable to conversation - you equate yourself to a natural disaster and because I disagree with you I am an unintelligent alien from another planet - are you kidding? Exaggeration? You did read about the gentleman that burned his house down with a brush fire recently? Whether I lived here all my life or somewhere else; whether I was a farmer, teacher, or rancher I would have the same opinion and I would be embarassed to foul my own nest or my neighbor’s.
Posted April 6th, 2008 at 7:31 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
dcale,
First I would like to welcome you and all the rest of the left coast transplants who thought they were moving into a “pristine, environmentalist” mountain resort. When we heard you were coming, we all got together and planned a smoke filled spring just for your benefit. You know, part of the vast right wing conspiracy you are always talking about. This is not ordinary smoke, this is Grand Valley Designer smoke, specially engineered just for this purpose. But as you probably have discovered, we haven’t worked out all the kinks yet. Oh we’ve got the noxious down, and the dispersion rates are acceptable, and it eventually will kill, but not reliably(I know, my Mother-in-law is a native and is 89 years old). Next year, we are going to try to do better for you, and do all the burning in the same week. We are going to call it the GREAT GRAND VALLEY SMOKE OUT. We plan to follow up for any yuppie straggler with a end of the week, midnight, Geiger counter tour of your yuppie valley neighborhoods, built with AEC tailing’s. And here is some more good news, it you register now, you may be eligible for an aerial, glow in the dark photo of your very home. And that concludes our welcome wagon presentation for free.
Stinky
Posted April 6th, 2008 at 7:44 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
dclae,
I too have lived places where they stopped the field burning because of people like you. The result was rice-rust and other diseases and pests that destroyed half of the crops before they resumed the burning. I will be willing to bet that very few of the burns which got out of control were farmers. It is usually some government agency, that because you complained, has to take over the duties farmers and neighbors used to do. Get facts. Fires do happen, Farmers DO NOT cause them. But they do feed you so you have the strength to write your rants.
Posted April 6th, 2008 at 8:19 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dear dcale,
Again, I must quote you.
“Your comments are not really amenable to conversation ”
You make it sound like I don’t have much respect for your opinion.
“because I disagree with you I am an unintelligent alien from another planet ”
That pretty much sums it up.
You show up here expecting to be adored because you …. well…. just because yer so special and everybody should be born knowing that little fact.
We don’t foulf our nests, we burn weeds.
There is a difference.
And it has been done that way for a lot of years for the same reason each year.
That’s what works the best.
Now, little mr sunshine and lollipops, read my first post in this thread and tell me, are you going to come over and clear my land of all weeds, and keep it weed free all year?
Or are you just going to pout because not everybody is willing to cater to your whims?
In the real world there are terms that are accurately descriptions of people like you.
But The Daily Sentinel is a family paper.
And you keep proving that you descended from one of the lesser apes.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 9:11 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
What a bunch of jerks.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 12:01 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I happen to agree with the original letter writer; agricultural burns are necessary, and the benefits far outweigh the negative effects. One person’s agricultural land is not another’s pristine wide, open spaces. A landowner has the right to what they please with their land, as long as it’s not illegal, or unduly inconveniencing his neighbors. It’s not as if the burns are happening every day of the year, after all; and some of us happen to like the smell, nostalgic types that we are.
To move to a rural area where agriculture is a large part of the economy, and then indulge in hand-wringing over the normal operations of that agriculture is foolish, if not downright silly. Farms smell like farms. Cities smell like cities. I wouldn’t move to L.A. and expect everyone to swap their cars for bicycles because I didn’t like the smog.
However, as it was when I was a Republican, I find myself disappointed with the people I agree with. As is so often the case online, opinions quickly deteriorate into name-calling, insults, and personal attacks. An unfortunate result of the anonymity and empowerment the internet provides. It’s a consequence of the environment, like agricultural burns.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
It’s about reasonableness. No it would not be reasonable for you to go to LA and ask them to change their life to suit you. But after reading your post I don’t believe you would do that. Why then do they come here and expect us to. It’s about unreasonableness. It’s about them creating the world they want. Then they will leave and try to change another area. Their comments are only a test run. It’s not enough for us to be opposed to their ideas in a civil and reasonable way. To do so is to invite the comment, “no one was strongly opposed to a ban on burning”. Try to understand, they see themselves on a mission from God, to save the planet. Try to reason with these people and you will be run over roughshod. It is not us who wish to change their world. They came here to change ours. They see us as the children of a lesser God. This is not to excuse bad manners, but it is perhaps an explanation. It is about reasonableness.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Well said, curmudgeon, thanks.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
So then by not burning does that mean you are advocating the use of herbicides instead? Because once you stop burning and the weeds take over the agricultural land then more herbicides must be applied to cull out the weeds versus the field crop. I would rather deal with a few smokey days and taking an allergy medicine than to deal with the overuse of herbicides that affect the ground, food, and water quality.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 5:32 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
This letter has gotten more replies than I though it would. Alright then, I apaologize for the “city pansies” remark but only for that. I do wondr what the new unban arrivals want though. Is the Grand Valley floor supposed to be taken up an urban/suburban grid? Is it supposed to be populated by superior educated types who engage in a weekend love affair with the surrounding scenery clad in designer lyrca while riding their mountain bikes? Are former farmers or their children supposed to be the new servant class that does all the yardwork and babysitting? Oh wait, isn’t that what illegals uh I mean undocumented workers are for? Ok,now I get it.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 5:57 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Curmudgeon - A landowner has the right to do what they want as long as it doesn’t conflict with the law. That is to say you can’t make meth, you can’t have a dump, you can’t sell used cars if your property is not zoned for it, and you can’t burn unless you have a permit - and if burning is banned, you can’t burn at all. Beyond that, it is just simply how much consideration you have for your neighbor and community. If you have a smelly farm and someone complains - no one dies and no one is in jeopardy - your new neighbors have to live with it - though you may not be friends. That’s not the same as the impact of smoke - and it’s not just a local impact - what if everyone on the planet who could justify agricultural need burned?
You folks all assume it is ‘outsiders’ trying to change your way of life. It is the newfound knowledge and reason of a changing world that is at force here. You don’t move to LA and tell everyone to ride bikes because you don’t like smog. You look up and see the smog, you choke on it, you get sick - probably before someone steps in and says we’ve got to make some rules to change this before we cannot bear the consequences. Have you ever seen pictures of cities in China where everyone wears masks as a way of life? At some point, you have to make the change. For agriculture to continue to thrive beside the city that is growing around it, there has to be some compromises on both sides - and the sooner they are made, the better. It’s about learning to live with others. I don’t know what the rules in Denver are - but I have not seen burning there.
To Sarana who plays the herbicide card - how many farmers in the valley do you think are chemical-free (organic) right now? What is the rest of the world doing who are not burning their fields.
Final point - all the burning in this valley is not truly agricultural or irrigation related. Many time it’s just clearing debis that could be removed and hauled by other means. It’s all about the alternatives
I am appalled by the name calling and insults on this site - grow up folks.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 6:21 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
dcale, i’m not going to call you names at all, but i think you miss several points…it’s a proven fact that controlled burns BENEFIT more than they harm, and to be blunt, it’s the only way that many of our older small farmers can get it done…this is an agricultural community, whether you want to admit it or not, and the same thing is done all over the world in similar fashion by most, if not all other agricultural communities….yeah, there’s a few in this town that light a huge stinking bonfire to rid themselves of trash and debris, but it’s definitely in a minority.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 6:45 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Mr. David Cale,
I am sure that you don’t realize that you just totally validated my last post. Let me say this in plain English for you. We don’t need or want your help, your advice or your comments. We don’t need or want your solutions nor intellectual discourse. I for one have been quite happy living in the Grand Valley since I was born, and have without your help attained the ripe old age of 65. When you “save the planet” types start suggesting your solutions, I grab for my wallet with one hand and cover my head with the other. Your answers to our problems usually only produce larger problems. I don’t want to be rude to you, but it appears that you are totally unable to take a hint. You are like the house guest that never leaves. I know you mean well, but aren’t there some whales you can save or some ice you can melt somewhere. I think, as you suggest, China would enjoy your presence. I understand they are a very polite society. And just to show you that the valley peoples heart is in the right place, if you are short a few bucks to make the trip, I am sure we could take up a collection, and could successfully raise whatever monies needed to get your rear in gear and out of here. In the mean time, try sitting quietly and breathing through your nose. It won’t help with the smoke, but at least some of us can get some relief. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dear David,
Are you a slow learner?
I typed really slow so you could read it.
You appear, uninvited, for your own profitable reasons and demand that the people who were here a long time before you showed up in search of profit must cater to your whims, and expect to be treated as though you have functional gray matter.
Well, I applaud your search for profit. Care to look somewhere that is more to your liking?
I see no need for everybody in this valley to make drastic changes in their lifestyles and their own “search for profit” just to make you feel better for a few days each year.
Are we disrespectful to those with breathing problems? I am so inflicted, so if you think that you are “saving” me, perhaps your should ask if I need saving first.
I-70 runs East and West, as does US 50.
I feel certain that somewhere on one of those byways there are people dying for you to show up in shining armor and “saving” them.
Or, you could stay here and learn to live with the other inhabitants of this area.
Your choice.
And your livelihood.
Unless you change your holier than thou attitude I will not frequent your practice, and will actively inform others of your pompous nature.
But, that’s just me, others may not….
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 7:18 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dr. David Cale, with offices in both Delta and Grand Junction, I am sure that you were just waiting to spring on us the fact that you are a DR. We know. Your advice is based on old news. The experts now say that we are entering an Ice Age. Of course, you and yours have, in the past, advocated mercury as a cure, so experts are a dime a dozen, as far as we are concerned. Since you hail from such places as the volunteer state (we don’t want you to volunteer) and New York, you probably don’t understand the agricultural heritage of our valley that goes back many generations. We don’t want all the land swallowed up by subdivisions or other development. Do you really believe that your advice is made more palatable by your arrogance? Filling the landfills and poisoning our ground water (we don’t all use city water) is not warranted. Just for your medical journal, my Grandfather farmed, and burned for 83 years and lived to be 101 years old. No lung problems, and he was the one out in the field doing the burning, so don’t be so pretentious.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Hitekredneck - I have been in many agricultural commmunities where burning was not a means to ANY end (call it restoring the soil or removing weeds, or whatever) - and many of these farms still survive despite all the rules and regulations and reasons that they should not be able to survive. I think you miss the point about opening your mind to other possibilities. Like it or not, GJ is going to grow - neither you nor I can stop that. What we have to do is evolve with the change at hand - and understand, it’s not just old GJ at stake here.
(Muleshoe - I couldn’t possibly validate your state of oppression.)
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 7:37 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
OK I’ll weigh in because this is the “hot” thread. I agree with the original letter writers.
As a proud tree hugger I would like to say that not all environmentalists are so closed minded to not see that burning has its benefits. Even environmental benefits. When done right burning can enrich soil and greatly reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides.
Do I love the smoke, no. but it is not THAT bad, and the burn season is limited. And at least it is organic material being burned. I consider it a very small price to pay for living in a beautiful valley that is so enriched by many small farmers and ranchers, not to mention the incredible wealth of fresh picked produce that fills the farmer’s markets and roadside stands season after season.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 8:05 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Of course, we could always make an effort to learn your address and plan our burning depending on the wind direction.
“Hitekredneck - I have been in many agricultural commmunities where burning was not a means to ANY end (call it restoring the soil or removing weeds, or whatever) - and many of these farms still survive despite all the rules and regulations and reasons that they should not be able to survive.”
And you left because?
Irritate too many or your “customers” and lost too much business?
You probably wouldn’t like either my doctor or my dentist, they both burn weeds on their smaller acreages. They both seem to stay very busy, professionally speaking of course…
It’s the “descended from monkeys” syndrome?
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 8:24 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Oh I wanted to add, despite disagreeing with dcale I am dismayed by the name calling, etc.
I CAN understand where these feelings are coming from, definitely. I don’t think, dcale, that you can comprehend the wasps nest you are poking.
We treasure our heritage in the Grand Valley, and we are fiercely protective of the farmers’ right to do what they must to earn a living, so they don’t have to sell out to the developers who build the Mc Mansions and ruin whatever charm is left here.
So that I think is where the vitriol comes from. There is no excuse for it, but I offer a friendly explanation.
Posted April 7th, 2008 at 9:53 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Thank you Tonya. I don’t think that the good Dr. realizes that he is threatening our way of life. I don’t really think that he understands what his words mean to us. It’s probably just all academic to him. Just his way of showing his superiority by beating us into submission. I think his attitude just reflects that he was raised in a different culture. I know, because I have generations of my people in this ground, that there can be unintended consequences from words misspoken. His manner and attitude are as foreign to us as ours must be to him. We have a saying out here Doc. Don’t back a bear into his cave and then try to fight him. You’ll find that you are blocking his only way out.
It is clear to me that the Dr. intends to go ahead and push for a burn ban. That will hurt a lot of small farmers. The Dr. is right, the times they are “a changing”. There is a new breed taking over the ownership of our valley. They talk just to hear themselves talk. These are not thoughtful or deliberate men, and they have much to learn about this land, and that is my last word on this subject.
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 6:57 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Speaking of unintended consequences. You should all read the story about Dewey Bridge burning the front page of this paper, especially the comments on page 9A by Mrs. Thomas. We lost not only a historic landmark, but a part of all of our lives because of these same kind of people and their New York ways. I think the New York DR. just stepped in it, and I am sure he doesn’t own a pair of hip boots.
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 8:36 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Still a bunch of jerks.
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 12:28 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
I’m jumping into the fray also - copying my response from another post on this site.****
And which species of ground-dwelling birds are right on schedule to begin nesting precisely on May 31? Yet another absurd response - because, again, there are no scientifically-proven or true ecological benefits achieved by open burning. It’s an outdated practice that wastes valuable biomass material that could be used for other purposes (i.e., fuel & heat), or could be converted to necessary compost & organic supplements. And, it’s a practice that generates tremendous amounts of particulate matter and carbon compounds which further degrades our shared atmosphere, and further diminishes the health of many people.
I would grant that a limited amount of open burning might be justified (say once per year, over a 1-month period)…however, in order to qualify for a permit there must be very stringent requirements to be met. And, the permit fees must be scaled accordingly (say more than 10 fold), in order to cover the external costs of degraded air, increase in respiratory problems, increased fire department costs, increase in insurance premiums, etc.
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 5:38 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
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