Why to Purchase Local and Organic This Fall [This article was previously published in the fall issue of The Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] by Linley Dixon, PhD Farm and Food Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute Source: Adobe Stock Fall, in most regions of the U.S., means an abundance of local apples. They’re likely not as… Read more »
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No Definitive ‘No’ on Nano
USDA Disregards NOSB’s Recommended Prohibition on Nanomaterials in Organics by Linley Dixon, PhD Source: DollarPhotoClub.com Despite the consensus in the organic community that nanotechnology should be prohibited in organics, the USDA’s National Organic Program issued a new guidance in March that allows companies to petition for use of human-engineered nanomaterials in organic production and processing…. Read more »
“Fauxganic” Takeover in Full Swing
Finding and Protecting Real Organic Food Going Forward [This article was previously published in the spring issue of The Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] by Linley Dixon, PhD, current Associate Director of the Real Organic Project The Country Hen is one example of a certified organic industrial-style egg producer. Their porches, shown here, are approved as “outdoor… Read more »
Yogurt Wars: Chobani Seeks Court Approval to Continue Gutsy National Ad Campaign
The Epoch Times by Andrea Hayley The Greek yogurt maker with the colorful labels, Chobani, is asking a court to declare that its latest advertising campaign does not violate any laws. Chobani filed its motion Friday, Jan. 8, after the New York-based company received a cease-and-desist letter from its largest competitor Dannon, in reaction to Chobani’s national multichannel ad campaign that… Read more »
Gathering of the Agrarian Elders
Reflections from the Country’s Best Local Farmers [This article was previously published in the summer issue of The Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] by Linley Dixon, PhD Farm and Food Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute Source: 2-Dog-Farm The Elders gathered for a second time this past January. They were joined by 13 “Youngers” to exchange… Read more »
USDA Accused of Disseminating “Corporate Propaganda” Backing Agribusiness Switch of Organics to (Soil-less) Hydroponic Production
[Read Cornucopia’s formal request to the USDA’s Office of Inspector General to investigate whether the agency willfully attempted to misinform the public.] Regulators Bypass Expert Panel, Endorse Organic Practices Banned Worldwide FOIA Documents, Witnesses Indicate Collusion, USDA Organic Program in Turmoil: Formal Complaint Filed with Office of Inspector General Hydroponic operations, like this one, need… Read more »
National Organic Standards Board Meeting Report — Tucson, April 2018
Expert Advisory Panel Addresses Imports Fraud and Biodiversity Conservation Fraudulent organic imports and the industrial model of production under the organic seal is hurting the profitability of organic family farmers. Two panels focused on options for better oversight. Despite increased documentation of fraud, the National Organic Program is still lacking systems to monitor imports. The… Read more »
Organic, Rooted in Soil
Farming with Natural Complexity [This article was previously published in the spring issue of The Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] by Linley Dixon, PhD, Farm and Food Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute Source: Adobe Stock Growing up, I told a skeptical family member that I wanted to be an organic farmer. He replied, “Why make life… Read more »
The Open Source Seed Initiative: Challenging the Corporate Control of Our Food System
by Linley Dixon, PhD Seed diversity is undeniably essential to life. Scientists have only scratched the surface in identifying the millions of genetic traits stored in seed banks including variations in appearance, and nutrition, as well as resistance to disease, drought, and salinity. Intellectual property rights allow research plant breeders to patent new plant varieties… Read more »
Industry Watchdog: USDA Allowing Illegal “Organic” Produce Production
Corporate Interests Lobbying to Approve Hydroponics — Growing without Soil Hydroponic Pepper Operation (c) Dario Sabljak/Adobe Stock An organic industry watchdog contends the USDA has quietly allowed a flood of hydroponically-produced fruits and vegetables, largely imported, to be illegally labeled and sold as “organic.” This produce is generally grown under artificial lighting, indoors, and on… Read more »
