Scientific American (link no longer available) By Katherine Harmon Like produce, milk quality can vary with the season and year. Dairy cows‘ daily diet, much of which comes from plant forage, determines the nutritional makeup of their milk, so when their food lags in quality, so too does their output. And a new study shows that conventionally produced… Read more »
(ALERT OVER) Tell President Obama to Reject Approval of GE Alfalfa
USDA Poised to Approve Genetically Engineered Alfalfa On December 16, the USDA released its Final Environmental Impact Statement on Monsanto’s genetically engineered Round-up Ready Alfalfa. Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the U.S. and a fundamental source of livestock forage for dairy and beef farmers. Alfalfa is a perennial crop that is… Read more »
Buffett, Gates and The Story of Enough
The Huffington Post by Woody Tasch “When is enough enough?” Bernie Sanders asked during his filibuster against the Lame Duck tax bill in December. During the speech, he referred to Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, two of the world’s richest three people. (If you haven’t been paying attention, they’ve been pushed down to the number… Read more »
Local Food Gone Big Time in Ohio
Public News Service COLUMBUS, Ohio – From conscientious eaters to backyard growers to large-scale farmers, hundreds are expected to come together at an Ohio event aimed at celebrating and expanding the local food movement. Registration is open for the 32nd annual conference of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, the largest sustainable food and… Read more »
German Organic Egg Demand Spikes
News24 Berlin – Demand for organically produced eggs in Germany has shot up, experts and retailers said on Tuesday, with shortages feared as consumers shun battery-farmed goods in the wake of a dioxin scandal. “It’s certain that people are increasingly reaching for organic eggs,” which are unaffected by the crisis, said Margit Beck from poultry… Read more »
American Beekeeping Federation Passes Resolution Opposing USDA’s Deregulation of GE Alfalfa
The American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) voted at its annual meeting on January 7 in Galveston, TX to oppose the controversial deregulation of Monsanto’s genetically engineered Round-up Ready Alfalfa. Donald Schmidt, who farms 800 acres near Winner, South Dakota and is the Past President of the ABF, said he hopes that the resolution will make people… Read more »
Coexistence of Alfalfa Unrealistic
[The following letter was sent to USDA Secretary Vilsack by Chuck Noble, a Bellvue, WA farmer.] Dear Secretary Vilsack — Conventional and genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa coexistence is not possible nor practical. Here are some reasons: The USDA should realize that not all crops can coexist nor should all crops be genetically engineered. A monopoly… Read more »
Neotame: Threat to Organics Sponsored by Monsanto or Internet Hoax?
We have received several inquiries about the artificial sweetener Neotame, and the Internet rumor that this synthetic additive is allowed in certified organic foods. Neotame, as a synthetic additive, is not allowed in organic foods, contrary to the Internet rumor. None of the bloggers who perpetuate this anti-organic myth reference primary sources to substantiate their… Read more »
Bees in Freefall as Study Shows Sharp US Decline
The Guardian By Alok Jha, science correspondent The abundance of four common species of bumblebee in the US has dropped by 96% in just the past few decades, according to the most comprehensive national census of the insects. Scientists said the alarming decline, which could have devastating implications for the pollination of both wild and… Read more »
‘Lunatic Farmer’ to Preach the Word at Sustainable Food Conference
The Union Liz Kellar Joel Salatin doesn’t mind being thought of as a lunatic. He revels in it, giving lectures on “The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer.” Now, Nevada County audiences can share in the lunacy when Salatin speaks at the Sustainable Local Food and Farm Conference on Jan. 22, an event organized… Read more »
