As research into soil ecology and pesticide toxicity continues to expand, it is increasingly clear that our reliance on pesticides in and around our homes, in particular in our gardens, is disconnected with recent scientific studies. Old habits, however, are hard to break. What has become increasingly clear is that many so-called problems have non-pesticide solutions, can often be tolerated (within reason), and, as is too often the case, the prescribed pesticide has consequences arguably worse than the issue it was intended to solve. Having been a professional garden columnist and home gardener for over forty years, Jeff Lowenfels is in a unique position to share his perspective on how gardening methods have changed and what motivated him and others to experiment with, adopt, and promote organic gardening methods in Alaska. He discussed the consequences and alternatives of pesticide use in the context of the ‘Teaming with…’ trilogy he authored on soil ecology (see resource list below), as well as (if time allows) current and future regulations around pesticide use in Alaska.
Featured Speaker
Our featured speaker, Jeff Lowenfels, is a journalist and author of three best-selling books on organic gardening: Teaming with Microbes, Teaming with Nutrients, and Teaming with Fungi – a trilogy on soil ecology with the aim of helping growers improve plant health without the use of harmful chemicals. Lowenfels is also a long-time contributor to the Anchorage Daily News, with an ongoing garden column spanning more than forty years.
***Note, for our regular listeners, this month’s call will be hosted on Zoom, and our call in information has changed. Details will be sent to you following registration for the call. Looking forward to it.
This call was hosted by the CHE-Alaska Partnership, which is coordinated by Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). It lasted for 60 minutes and was recorded for the call and webinar archive.