Seeking economic justice for the family-scale farming community. Through research, advocacy, and economic development our goal
is to empower farmers - partnered with consumers - in support of ecologically produced local, organic and authentic food.
February 9th, 2010
Farm and Dairy
by Other News
WASHINGTON — After hearing public outcry about the proposed national animal identification system, United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has decided a more flexible path is needed in the plan.
New plan
Vilsack announced Feb. 5 that USDA will develop a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the U.S., and undertake several other actions to further strengthen its disease prevention and response capabilities. Read Full Article »
Posted in Media/News
February 8th, 2010
e! Science News
In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting ™, in Chicago, researchers will unveil findings that demonstrate a link between the birth defect gastroschisis and the agricultural chemical atrazine. Gastroschisis is a type of inherited congenital abdominal wall defect in which the intestines, and sometimes other organs, develop outside the fetal abdomen through an opening in the abdominal wall. The incidence of gastroschisis is on the rise, increasing two to four times in the last 30 years. Read Full Article »
Posted in Media/News
February 6th, 2010
Medill Reports – Chicago
by Sachpreet Chandhoke
The presence of organic farms in Illinois could be a rounding error.
“I have been perplexed for many, many years why Illinois doesn’t have as much organic production as other states,” said Lynn Clarkson, president and founder of Illinois-based organic-only Clarkson Grain Company.
Of the 26.8 million acres of farmland in Illinois, only 30,662 acres – or one-tenth of 1 percent – are devoted to organic production, according to the first-ever survey of organic producers in the United States, released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Organic corn, soybean and winter wheat are the most commonly grown crops in Illinois. Read Full Article »
Posted in Media/News
February 3rd, 2010
Mirror.co.uk News
By Mike Swain
Scientists claim they can stop tomatoes from going mushy on shop shelves.
They have found a way of slowing down the ripening of the fruit by up to 30 days. And they say the same genetic modifications could be extended to bananas and mangoes. Read Full Article »
Posted in Media/News
February 1st, 2010
Send Your Comments to USDA on Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Late last year, the USDA released a court-ordered Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Monsanto’s new genetically engineered Round-up Ready Alfalfa. A federal lawsuit, led by the Center for Food Safety and joined by The Cornucopia Institute and other plaintiffs, was won in 2007 compelling the USDA to conduct their first-ever environmental impact statement on a genetically engineered (GE) crop, alfalfa.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the USDA’s assessment approves of releasing a new genetically modified crop into the environment, despite the known risks this version of alfalfa poses to organic livestock agriculture.
Public comments are being accepted until February 16. Please let the USDA hear your voice. Read Full Article »
Posted in Action Alerts
