Cornucopia’s Take: As a world leader in GMO soy exports, Argentine farmers increased the amount of herbicide sprayed by 1,000% between 1994 and 2010. Unsurprisingly, people living in farmed areas have likewise seen a marked increase in respiratory issues, skin rashes, and cancer. The villagers who fear herbicides BBC News by Grace Livingstone Argentine Soy… Read more »
Oats Creeping Into the Corn/Soy Rotation
Cornucopia’s Take: Conventional agriculture appears to be taking a cue from organics. While they continue to use harmful chemicals on fields, conventional farmers are beginning to consider the value of crop rotation – a requirement in organic agriculture – for fixing nitrogen, preventing erosion, and reducing insect and weed risks. Can oats improve bottom lines… Read more »
Indigenous Cooking Revival
Cornucopia’s Take: Indigenous cooking around the world is, by definition, local and seasonal. Sean Sherman is helping the Midwest learn about the foods available to his ancestors and to us today. The Movement to Define Native American Cuisine The New York Times by Tejal Rao Source: Marilylle Soveran LAKE TRAVERSE INDIAN RESERVATION, N.D. — The… Read more »
Ecology Action Shares Biointensive Farming with the World
Cornucopia’s Take: While Big Ag insists that GMOs are the only way to feed the world, this nonprofit is teaching interns to grow more food on less land. Biointensive farming methods build the soil quickly and use far less water to grow more food than conventional or GMO methods. How Three U.S. Mini-Farms are Sowing the… Read more »
Long-Term Study Shows Neonics Harm Bees
Cornucopia’s Take: Many studies have shown how pesticides, specifically neonicotinoids, are harmful to bees, but this study shows how, over time, they have led to bee decline. Cornucopia continues to champion organic farming which supports bee health and a vibrant, healthy ecosystem. Nearly two decades of data reinforce concerns that pesticides are really bad for… Read more »
Big Pharma Works on Vaccines for Big Ag
Cornucopia’s Take: Consumers are increasingly aware of the effects of eating meat dosed with high levels of antibiotics and the impact of the practice on antibiotic resistance. Because of the stresses from crowding on factory farms, antibiotics are used for disease control. Big Pharma is now developing vaccines for conventional livestock, which would enable companies… Read more »
Beekeepers’ Pesticides May Hinder Bees’ Digestion
Cornucopia’s Take: Pesticides applied to keep bees safe from parasites like Varroa mites have been found to alter bees’ gut microbiota. Growing evidence in the beekeeping world points to using management techniques to control pests and safeguard bee health. Pesticides used to help bees may actually harm them EurekAlert! from Virginia Tech Source: North Worrell… Read more »
Cornucopia Calls Danone-WhiteWave Merger Bad for Farmers and Consumers
Cornucopia’s Take: Knowledgeable organic industry observer looks at Cornucopia’s call for the blocking of the Danone-WhiteWave merger. Organic Watchdog Group Aims to Disrupt Danone-WhiteWave Merger to Save Organic Dairy Farmers Organic Authority by Jill Ettinger Source: Guy Montag In response to the recent announcement that Group Danone would purchase WhiteWave for more than $10 billion, organic… Read more »
Eco-certified Wine Delivers Exemplary Taste for Less Money
Cornucopia’s Take: Grown without pesticides, organic and biodynamically grown grapes highlight the flavor of the earth they were grown in. The quality of the wine is comparable to more expensive conventional wines, even garnering higher ratings in blind taste tests from professionals. Do eco-friendly wines taste better? Phys.org Provided by: University of California, Los Angeles… Read more »
Iowa Farmers are Planting Prairie in Their Fields
Cornucopia’s Take: More and more farmers, and researchers, are realizing the value of wild strips of land for soil and wildlife health. It’s a sharp contrast to the approach taken by conventional ag for decades. Iowa farmers ripped out prairie; now some hope it can save them Washington Post by Darryl Fears Source: J Van Cise… Read more »
