Now we need to figure out a way to convince HRM to stop exporting it.

Dr. Marilyn Cameron, on behalf of NSEN, and I and several local producers spoke of the weakness of the integrity of the testing process, the harm that public perception of bio-solid use on farmland would cause to local agricultural economies and the complete lack of field test results from N-Viro Systems that produce the sludge.

As well, one farmer pointed out that retailers such as Superstore and Sobey’s have been asking local producers if they were using bio-solids, and the perception was that the retailers would have a hard sell to the public if the answer was positive. Also one producer had his insurance company weigh in on bio-solids, stating that his rates would go up if he used “hazardous sludge” on his property.

It was enough to tip the balance in favour of a ban.

I don’t agree with using bio-solids onto agricultural fields, unless they can certify what is in the bio-solids first. If it’s natural organics (like shit, urine, food scraps, etc) then I’m ok with it. That is in fact what soil is – a degradation of natural materials sitting on top of the earth’s true surface which is bedrock. That’s also why they use animal feces as fertilizer, because when it breaks down it produces vitamin and mineral rich soil. Mixing chemicals into the soil isn’t doing anyone any favors. it’s like putting a farm on top of an old landfill, but on a smaller scale. What is being imparted into our bodies and delicate systems? nothing good i’d wager. If you cannot guarantee the bio-solids are clear of such poisons, then they shouldn’t be used.

Don’t forget too, that it’s not just your toilet that is connected to the sanitary line in your house, it’s your sinks and shower drains, and also the scary laundry sink drain. All wastewater from your house heads down the sanitary pipes, so your dishwater sludge, your washing machine bleach and soap, and paint and oil that some assholes throw down the laundry sink all are in the mix at the sewage plant. That’s just speaking of residential. I can only imagine the horrors of chemicals that head to the sewers from commercial sources.

Details on the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Kings Co. Council which is taking place on October 29th at 3 pm – Mike Langmann of the Dept. of Environment is presenting at this special meeting in Council Chambers in Kentville’s Municipal Building. The meeting (as are all meetings) are open to the public yet the public can not demonstrate (within chambers) or speak until the end of the meeting and they may ask questions or make comments (two minutes per person).

There is currently only an application for Dr. Cameron to address HRM Council… she will find out in November whether she will get to present.

Twitter users whose main purpose is to mine data or distribute content/links etc seem to contribute to noise rather than meaningful interaction on social networking sites – my claim is informed by ethnographic research and the idea of immersing oneself in a certain culture in order to gain an understanding of it. danah boyd might be a good example of one of the researchers who has been trying to strike a balance and who keep interacting with ‘followers’ in a more way (c.f. her research of the blogosphere) that was based on participation, production of content and interacting with co-users. It probably takes a much higher level of reflexivity in order to achieve scientifically valid findings, yet, the notion of social media as field that requires trust-building and an approach rooted in equality is much more sustainable than real-world methodologies that are based on the fact that fields can be exited once the data has been collected.

After all, it’s called SOCIAL media for a purpose…