Asparagus and International Politics

HISTORY OF ASPARAGUS

Asparagus has been prized by epicures since Roman times!

The name asparagus comes from the Greek language meaning "sprout" or "shoot" and is a member of the Lily family. Widely cultivated for its tender, succulent, edible shoots, asparagus cultivation began more than 2,000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean region. Greeks and Romans prized asparagus for its unique flavor, texture and alleged medicinal qualities. They ate it fresh when in season and dried the vegetable for use in winter.

One could say asparagus is an international food. With its high tolerance for salt and its preference for sandy soils, wild asparagus grows in such diverse places as England, central Wisconsin, Russia, and Poland. Asparagus is depicted in ancient Egyptian writings. Asparagus has also been grown in Syria and Spain since ancient times.In the 16th Century, asparagus gained popularity in France and England. From there, the early colonists brought it to America. Asparagus is often called the "Food of Kings." King Louis XIV of France was so fond of this delicacy that he ordered special greenhouses built so he could enjoy asparagus all year-round!
Asparagus is very versatile. In China, asparagus spears are candied and served as special treats. It is widely popular today as a scrumptious, fresh, and healthy vegetable. People throughout Europe, Asia, and North America use fresh asparagus in their favorite cuisine.

Locally Grown San Joaquin Delta Region, CA

From the fertile soils of the San Joaquin Delta region to the irrigated Southern California desert, California leads the nation in asparagus production with more than 50,000 metric tons harvested annually. Most of this is marketed as fresh green asparagus.

Asparagus was first planted in California during the 1850's. The moderate climate, together with a variety of fertile soil, contributes to the outstanding quality of Asparagus grown in California.

Asparagus and The Drug War

To reduce the flow of cocaine into this country by encouraging farmers in Peru to grow food instead of coca, the United States in the early 1990's started to subsidize a year-round Peruvian asparagus industry, and since then American processing plants have closed and hundreds of farmers have gone out of business.
One result is that Americans are eating more asparagus, because it is available fresh at all times. But the growth has been in Peruvian asparagus supported by American taxpayers.

''We've created this booming asparagus industry in Peru, resulting in the demise of a century-old industry in America,'' said Alan Schreiber, director of the Washington Asparagus Commission. ''And I've yet to hear anyone from the government tell me with a straight face that it has reduced the amount of cocaine coming into this country.'' .

''The irony is that they didn't plow under the coke to plant asparagus in Peru,'' said John Bakker, executive director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board. ''If you look at that industry in Peru and where it's growing, it has nothing to do with coca leaf growers becoming normal farmers. Coca leaf is grown in the highlands. The asparagus is near sea level.''(Source)

Asparagus And The Farm Bill

Ten months ago, when it became apparent that there would be no relief provisions for the U.S. asparagus industry in the Peru Free Trade Agreement, the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board approached Senator Debbie Stabenow(D-Michigan) about some other form of compensation that could be contained in the new Farm Bill. We proposed a Market Loss Program modeled after one the U.S. Apple Industry received for damage resulting from a surge of Chinese imports. Senator Stabenow, who holds a key position on the Senate Ag Committee, agreed to champion the cause and we began working with her staff on crafting language. At the same time, we also began working through the National Asparagus Council to garner support from Senators and Congressmen from all of the asparagus producing states.

Over the past 8 months Senator Stabenow has been tireless in her efforts to fight off repeated attempts to strip the bill of the Asparagus Market Loss Program, first through the Senate Ag Committee, then on the Senate Floor and just recently through the House - Senate Conference Committee.

I am excited to report that the $15 million Asparagus Market Loss Program will be part of the 2008 Farm Bill. More details will follow as we better understand exactly how the program will be administered. For now I would just like to acknowledge the extraordinary effort of Senator Stabenow in guiding this through on your behalf. I would also like to acknowledge Congressmen Hoekstra's (R-Michigan) strong support on the House side.

Buy Local and stay off drugs.