by Will Fantle, Codirector Credit: Capricorn78 The recent passage of the Farm Bill contains a provision allowing the USDA Secretary to propose establishment of an organic check-off program that, in a first, would be spread across all organic commodities. The scheme has long been a darling of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The OTA, an… Read more »
Organic Practice Beneficial for Antibiotic Resistance
World Poultry As a result of the widespread use of antibiotics in large-scale US poultry production, a significant proportion of Salmonella strains, recovered from conventional poultry farms and retail poultry products, express antibiotic resistance. Researchers from five different US universities, evaluated whether large-scale poultry farms that transitioned from conventional to organic practices and discontinued antibiotic… Read more »
Planned Food Safety Rules Rile Organic Farmers
Practices including in-house compost use under fire Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS Los Angeles Times by Evan Halper Local growers are discovering that proposed FDA regulations would curtail many common techniques, such as using house-made fertilizers and irrigating from creeks. HUSTONTOWN, Pa. — Jim Crawford was rushing to load crates of freshly picked organic tomatoes… Read more »
Farm Bill Reflects Shifting American Menu and a Senator’s Persistent Tilling
The New York Times by Jennifer Steinhauer WASHINGTON — The farm bill signed by President Obama last month was at first glance the usual boon for soybean growers, catfish farmers and their ilk. But closer examination reveals that the nation’s agriculture policy is increasingly more whole grain than white bread. Within the bill is a significant shift in the… Read more »
Women’s Collective in Mexico Works to Save Bee Species
This video from Storyhunter shows how a group of indigenous women are challenging ancient social norms in order to preserve an endangered species: the stingless bee known as Melipona Beecheii.
10 Innovative Food Projects Reconnecting Eaters and Producers
Farming is obscure and cooking has become a spectator sport for many, but restoring lost traditions is possible Image courtesy of Liz Keyser, Harmony Farm, Tipp City, OH The Guardian by Danielle Nierenberg For most of the past half century, many of us didn’t know – and didn’t care to know – how or where… Read more »
UPDATE 1-Syngenta Halts Sales of New GMO Corn Seed in Canada
Reuters By Tom Polansek Syngenta AG said on Monday it had halted commercial sales in Canada of corn seed containing a new and controversial genetically modified trait because major importers had not approved the product. Syngenta pulled from the Canadian market seed containing the Agrisure Duracade trait, which was available for planting for the first… Read more »
Around the Farm Table: Wheatfield Hill Organic
Enjoy this video featuring Cornucopia board member Helen Kees.
French Organic Winemaker Faces Prison for Defying Pesticide Order
The Guardian by Kim Willsher in Paris Credit: Pz.IStP Emmanuel Giboulot to appear before judge in Dijon for refusing to treat vines against insect that spreads devastating disease A French organic winemaker could face a prison sentence and a hefty fine after refusing to spray his vines with pesticide. Emmanuel Giboulot will appear before a… Read more »
How Organic are Organic Eggs?
Mark Kastel of The Cornucopia Institute and Jodi Koberinski of Organic Council of Ontario discuss organic eggs and whether they are all created equal on Deconstructing Dinner.
