The New York Times by Stephanie Strom and Sabrina Tavernise An animal rights group released on Thursday a disturbing video of laying hens at a farm in Northern California that supplies eggs to Whole Foods and Organic Valley, among other retailers and distributors. The group, Direct Action Everywhere, contended that the hens’ treatment was inhumane and… Read more »
Judge Considers Halting Vermont GMO Labeling Law
USA Today by Dan D’Ambrosio Source: Bloomsberries BURLINGTON, Vt. — A federal judge is weighing whether to put the brakes on Vermont’s first-in-the-nation genetically modified organism labeling law before it even goes into effect. Judge Christina Reiss had probing questions for both sides in the lawsuit that the Grocery Manufacturers Association filed against the state… Read more »
The Insects That Made Christmas
BBC News Source: Coralie Mercier At least 15 elements of a traditional Christmas dinner party would never make it to the table without help from insects. Scientists from the University of Bristol have compiled a list of essentials, from mistletoe to chocolate, and the insects that we have to thank for their commercial production. The… Read more »
Eating Whole Grains May Be Linked to Living Longer
Reuters by Kathryn Doyle Source: Susy Morris (Reuters Health) – – People who eat more whole grains live longer and are less likely to die of heart disease, according to an analysis of two large studies. Earlier studies had linked whole grains to a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, the researchers… Read more »
Government May Consider Sustainability in New Dietary Guidelines
PBS NewsHour – The Rundown by Mary Clare Jalonick Source: Glen Hadiardja WASHINGTON — The government issues dietary guidelines every five years to encourage Americans to eat healthier. This year’s version may look at what is healthy for the environment, too. A new focus on the environment would mean asking people to choose more fruits,… Read more »
EPA Proposal Leaves California Children at Risk from Neurotoxic Pesticide
NRDC Switchboard by Veena Singla Source: Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center After 7 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a revised safety assessment of the highly neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos. Unfortunately, even with this new assessment, the EPA won’t provide the health protections that Californians need. Despite multiple studies that link chlorpyrifos… Read more »
Better Dying Through GMOs
The Daily Call
By ‘Editing’ Plant Genes, Companies Avoid Regulation
The New York Times by Andrew Pollack Source: EMSL Its first attempt to develop genetically engineered grass ended disastrously for the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. The grass escaped into the wild from test plots in Oregon in 2003, dooming the chances that the government would approve the product for commercial use. Yet Scotts is once again… Read more »
Farm Commons Webinar: Hosting Safe, Legally Secure Farm Events
If you cannot join us live, all webinars are recorded and available for viewing at farmcommons.org/webinars. The first two webinars of the season are already up on the site and can be viewed at www.farmcommons.org/webinars. You can learn more and register for all upcoming webinars at www.farmcommons.org/webinars/upcoming. Hosting Safe, Legally Secure Farm Events Monday, January, 5 2015,… Read more »
Start-Ups Rise to Close a Gap for Farmers
The New York Times by Stephanie Strom Credit: Havilah McGrath, McGrath Farm WELLESLEY, Mass. — In spite of the surging demand for locally and regionally grown foods over the last few years, there is a chasm separating small and midsize farmers from their local markets. But a growing number of small businesses are springing up… Read more »
