Yale Environment 360 by Jim Robbins For decades, farm bills in the U.S. Congress have supported large-scale agriculture. But with the 2012 Farm Bill now up for debate, advocates say seismic shifts in the way the nation views food production may lead to new policies that tilt more toward local, sustainable agriculture. More than ever,… Read more »
Dairy Farmers Increasingly Taking Advantage of Cross-Breeding
Farmers Guardian By Chloe Palmer Cross-breeding has become something of a trend in the dairy industry. But what does it involve and what is the best way to go about it? Chloe Palmer takes an in-depth look at the issue. Those farmers who champion the merits of a grass-based seasonal calving system are increasingly taking… Read more »
Changes to Chicken Inspections Pose Threat to Quality Control, Public Safety, Union Says
Let Them Eat Chicken . com (this link no longer available) On January 27, 2012, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed a new inspection system for young poultry slaughter plants. The proposed rule places emphasis on quantity and quickness over quality. The current poultry inspection process allows for a line speed of 91 chickens… Read more »
GMO Drought-Tolerant Corn Over-Promises: Plant Scientist
Reuters By Carey Gillam CHICAGO (Reuters) – Utilizing biotech “drought-tolerant” corn to boost global food production would be a less-effective tactic than planting conventional corn and improving agronomic practices, a veteran plant scientist said on Tuesday. “The technology has gotten a tremendous amount of attention. We think undue attention,” said Doug Gurian-Sherman, a plant pathologist… Read more »
Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Crops Tied to Butterfly Decline
Triple Pundit By RP Siegel The great American satirist, H.L. Mencken once said, “For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.” He might have been talking about biotechnology in general or Monsanto’s approach to controlling weeds using their Roundup Ready crops. But then again, it depends on which problem… Read more »
CSA Owner Says Organic Farming Was in Her Blood
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel By Jan Uebelherr Mary Ann Ihm grew up on a farm in Grant County, became a teacher, but couldn’t shake one dream. She envisioned what she calls “a holistic learning environment,” one with food elements as well the spiritual. They belong together, she thinks. Ihm taught elementary school for 13 years in… Read more »
A Way to Sprout New Farmers
The Chronicle Herald – Nova Scotia, Canada By BILL SPURR Features Writer Program offers apprentices a chance to try their hand at growing organic Quickly dispelling any romantic notions in a room of university students considering becoming a farmer’s apprentice, Rowena Hopkins warned of the necessity of being open minded. “One of the farms I… Read more »
Farmers Face Tough Choice On Ways To Fight New Strains Of Weeds
NPR by Dan Charles Listen to the audio story. OK, so this story is about weeds and weedkillers, neither of which is ever the hero of a story, but stay with me for a second: It’s also about plants with superpowers. Unless you grow cotton, corn or soybeans for a living, it’s hard to appreciate… Read more »
Joel Salatin’s new book, Folks, This Ain’t Normal, is a prize!
Congratulations to Kristal Job, the winner of Joel Salatin’s new book: Folks, This Ain’t Normal. The book was donated by a dedicated Cornucopia member, and mutual fan of Joel’s work, to help build exposure for our work. Thank you, Kristal, for signing up for The Cornucopia Institute’s email list and joining the fight to protect… Read more »
New Mexico State University Corn Researcher Developing Improved Varieties for Organic Farmers
Soyatech Jay Rodman Targeted News Service — LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Richard Pratt is standing in a field at New Mexico State University’s Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center south of Las Cruces talking about his corn research. Two things are worth mentioning here. One is that there’s not a cornstalk in sight. The other is… Read more »
