TriplePundit By Laura Klein Sustainable agriculture is the fastest-growing sector of the food industry. On the other hand, less than 1% of American cropland is farmed organically. In light of this conundrum, what keeps the organic farmer going? I spoke with Richard Wiswall, author of The Organic Farmer's Business Handbook: A Complete Guide Managing Finances, Crops, and Staff – and Making a Profit, to find out more about what it’s like to be an organic farmer in these tough economic times.

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Food Production Daily By Jane Byrne Farmers and veterinary surgeons are giving antibiotics to animals often to prevent rather than treat disease, which is contributing to the problem of antibiotic resistance through food, claims a UK organic group. Antimicrobials are chemicals such as antibiotics used in veterinary and human medicine. Resistance to antibacterials in animals is rising, meaning that the risk of animal-based food becoming contaminated is higher.   At the same time, antimicrobials are also becoming less effective in fighting human infections.

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Sea Grant Research News Article from Bio-Medicine In collaboration with Monsanto Chemical Company and California Sea Grant, Hawaii Sea Grant Director Gordon Grau is characterizing the efficacy and safety of Monsanto's recombinant bovine growth hormone in raising aquacultured tilapia.

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CBS46.com (click here for their full story, including video footage) ATLANTA -- A new organic baby formula that is sold in the United States has an ingredient that has been banned in Europe. CBS 46 investigated how the formula is still allowed on our shelves. New mother Renee Ross reached for Similac's Organic Infant Formula for her son Mekhi's first meals. In fact, the newborn gift bag she was given when she checked out of the hospital after giving birth to Mekhi had a can of the formula. "It's organic, so I figured it should be OK," she said.

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USDA weighing compromise proposal In late November, Cornucopia staff arranged a meeting with USDA Undersecretary Bruce Knight to discuss concerns and problems with the now-implemented mandate requiring pasteurization of all raw almonds grown by domestic producers for sale in the U.S. For more than an hour, Cornucopia's two codirectors met in Washington, DC with three high-ranking USDA officials with the bulk of the discussion centered on almonds. Interestingly, we learned that half of all the comments coming into the Secretary's office at this time are on almonds!

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