There are so many ways that 2020 has not lived up to our expectations. BUT, there are some good things that have come from this pandemic. In having to go digital with our programs, the Dover Public Library has reached a wider audience than ever before. Check this out!
Chris Zoller, Assistant Professor at the OSU Extension Office in Tuscarawas County, gave an Overview of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
Two gentlemen joined us from Lima, Peru to learn about Genetically Modified Organisms. In Peru, there is a debate about the advantages and disadvantages of GMO potatoes. Some agriculturists want to introduce GMO potatoes into Peru in order to help the poor farmers of the highlands, but there is a group of people who oppose it because they want to preserve the multiple ancient strains of potatoes. In 2011, the latter group convinced the government to impose a 10-year moratorium on the planting of GMO potatoes. There was an international research center about potatoes in Lima, but, due to the moratorium, they had to move their center to Kenya, where there was more of a possibility of planting and researching GMO crops. Next year, the moratorium will expire. The group against GMO crops wants to extend the moratorium for another 15 years, but the men who joined us argue in favor of the GMO potatoes.
The questions in my mind are these: Do they care more about the traditional crops and ancient seeds? Are they considering the nutritional value of the potatoes grown in the Andrean highlands? Can a poor farmer get more yield if he planted GMO potatoes and therefore make a profit for his family?
Chris Zoller agreed to send his presentation to the gentlemen so that they can translate the information into Spanish and use it in presentations in the upcoming year (to convince the government officials to allow the planting and further research of GMO potatoes.)
I asked the Peruvian gentlemen how they found out about our program and they simply said a colleague told them about it. And just like that, the Dover Public Library went international!
-Sherrel Rieger, Adult Programming Specialist