—–Original Message—–
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: cotton field photos

I was thinking of you this morning and took a few pictures at the cotton field so you can feel like you are here this morning.  My photos are nothing to these that you have sent, but perhaps you will like to see your cotton babies.  I am so happy you found Kacie. She gave Jimmy a business card before he left the field yesterday and gave him the most beautiful garden stakes that she had made!

I had already left the field because I was exhausted. She was a dynamo and pulled weeds on her knees in that hot humid sticky field. She didn’t seem to want any credit for what she was doing. She farms herself in Tennessee.

I just had to take her photo with my phone because I can’t believe she was there and working so hard.  I really think she is an angel.  I will make a point to go to Huntsville and see her business someday. She will always be a very important part of this little cotton field.  She left her mark on the field and in my heart.

Love,
Lisa

—–Original Message—–
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2012 3:43 PM
Subject: Organic cotton

Hello,

I am the cotton scout assigned to north Alabama and middle Tennessee for the Boll Weevil Eradication Program (SEBWEF).  I noticed the article in Saturdays edition of Times Daily.  My interest in your cotton field is to simply place a boll weevil trap nearby, and monitor it until mid-November.

Cotton growers in the state of Alabama and the Southeast have spent millions of dollars over the past 20 years to eradicate the boll weevil from our fields.  The eradication has also reduced pesticide use dramatically, and actually saved several million in costs and increased yield.

The only way to guarantee that we do not get a re-infestation is to monitor ALL cotton that is in the eradicated zones.  We receive information from USDA each season to locate each cotton field so that we can accomplish a successful monitoring program.  I do imagine that your cotton was not reported to the local USDA Service center because of its nature, but there is a state (AL) and federal law that the cotton must be monitored.  I can take care of this easily, but there will likely be a small fee assessed by SEBWEF.

Thank you.

—–Original Message—–
Sent: Wednesday, September 5, 2012 10:58 AM

Hi Erin,

I just came in and checked our e-mail.  I did see the green monitor bottle. It was there on Saturday or Sunday.  I think he must have placed it on Saturday.  Thank you for letting us know that you have spoken with him.  I’ll be sure to give your message to Jimmy when he comes in.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed that no harmful insects are found.  Our little field is bursting with cotton!  I want it to quit raining.  Take care and have a good day, and thank you for letting us know.

Love always,
Lisa

—–Original Message—–
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2012 8:20 AM
Subject: Wish for sunshine

Hi,

I am attaching photos of the little cotton field from this morning. It rained last night and the dew is very heavy this morning.  If the rain will hold off for a while I can pick some this afternoon.  The cotton is coming on so fast now I will never be able to keep up.  It is so AMAZING and so pretty. I realize not everyone will see the beauty amongst the weeds; somehow a photo just doesn’t do it justice. Hope for sunshine and while you are at it, hope for 100 strong people with pillowcases to come and help me pick!  If pillowcases came with a string you could tie to your belt loop the world would be perfect!

Love Always,
Lisa