Cornucopia’s Take: While we are pleased that some improvements are occurring in conventional agriculture, Cornucopia recommends only certified organic food. For instance, the label Certified Humane does not limit flock size, prohibit beak trimming, or require outdoor access in laying hens. The US is making a big shift away from factory farming Business Insider by… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: A U.S. State Department trade-policy specialist recently traveled to Africa to encourage officials to ease restrictions against, and encourage the use of, GMO seeds. The work of trade representatives is to develop and coordinate U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy. This trip benefits the biotech industry in the U.S., down to… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: The President’s budget proposal for 2019 is unlikely to be adopted as written, but it shows clearly where the administration’s loyalties lie. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition details what that proposal holds for the sustainable agriculture community, below. PRESIDENT’S BUDGET PROPOSAL THREATENS FOOD, FARM, AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS NSAC’s Blog Source: USDA The deeply… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: In its zest to cut regulations, the Trump administration has sided with powerful corporations annoyed that a regulation may change their practices.  Prudent regulations are needed to protect farmers and ranchers from the economic clout wielded by the powers in Big Ag.  This particular regulation was carefully reviewed and debated for several years… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: Conventional and GMO farming practices have sped up the removal of carbon from the soil, a contributor to climate change. Organic, sustainable agricultural practices help sequester carbon in the soil, prevent erosion, improve soil fertility, and mitigate climate change. Farming has changed climate almost as much as deforestation CBC News Thomson Reuters Harvesting,… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: Current conservation regulations conserve habitat for endangered species and provide protection for water and pristine environments near agricultural land. These regulations are worth billions of dollars in clean water and have incalculable worth for wildlife. Further cuts to the Conservation Reserve Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program will likely reverse the benefits they have produced… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: Rural Iowa Senator, David Johnson, in concert with Bill Stowe, the head of public utility Des Moines Water Works, is calling for stricter regulation of farm run-off. Nitrate and phosphate pollution from agricultural run-off has soared in Iowa since 2002, and more than half of the rivers in the state have now been… Read more »