Bangor Daily News by Darren Fishell Source: Jeremy van Bedijk WHITEFIELD, Maine — The 100-acre organic farm that Rufus Percy and his wife started working a decade ago is mix of leased land, family land and mortgaged land. Finding used farm equipment took them as far as Ohio. The barn where they raise about 100… Read more »
Search Results for: national organic program
Cornucopia Calls for Food Safety Rules That Don’t Discriminate Against Diverse, Family-Scale Fresh Market Farmers
Testimony given before USDA’s Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee The Cornucopia Institute Carlea Arnold, Research Associate Good morning. My name is Caralea Arnold. I work for farmers. I’m not a lobbyist. I am a staff member with The Cornucopia Institute, based in Cornucopia, Wisconsin. I grew up on a certified organic farm in upstate… Read more »
Organic Farming More Popular In Ore., NW Schools
Organic Food News Today By STEVE BROWN, The Associated Press SALEM, Ore. – Organic studies haven’t traditionally been offered at land-grant universities, but these aren’t conventional ag students. Aspiring farmers arriving on campus these days may come from big cities in addition to rural areas, and some are as interested in organic and small-scale agriculture… Read more »
Yes, Organic Farming Can Feed the World
A recent gathering of researchers and smallholder farmers in Istanbul yields insights. TakePart by Anna Lappe Source: Adriane Herman A few years ago, I was at a biotechnology trade meeting listening to a panel on GMOs. Throughout the two-hour session, the panelists all sang the praises of the technology—not too surprising at an industry event. (At… Read more »
Got Organic? Demand Lifts Vt. dairies
Boston Globe By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff TROY, Vt. — For the first time in decades, dairy farmer Dexter Randall could pay all his bills on time. Wooed by signing bonuses and the prospect of doubling his earnings, the burly 60-year-old switched to organic milk over the past year. He says it is the only… Read more »
Pesticides Are Good for You
Big Food’s Co-optation of Nutrition Professionals Food Safety News by Michele Simon, Opinion For years now, I have been hearing about the food industry’s influence on the annual conference of the American Dietetic Association — the nation’s largest gathering of nutrition professionals–with some 7,000 registered dietitians in attendance. Last month, I witnessed it for myself… Read more »
Is Biodynamic Farming for Real?
Cornucopia’s Take: Biodynamic farmers are sometimes accused of being unscientific, and Demeter, their certifying agent, has now begun collecting topsoil samples from their biodynamic farms for further study. Biodynamic farmers must follow federal organic rules as well as additional practices, including off-farm input restrictions. Biodynamic farming is on the rise – but how effective is… Read more »
Q&A: Dr. Pedro Sanchez Discusses Cuba
UC Food Observer by Rose Hayden-Smith, PhD Dr. Pedro Sanchez Source: Columbia University Dr. Pedro Sanchez currently serves as director of the Agriculture and Food Security Center at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. Sanchez left his native Cuba at age 18 to study at Cornell University, where he received B.S., M.S. and PhD degrees in soil science…. Read more »
Business as Usual?
Why we shouldn’t forget the Farm Bill Grist by Aimee Witteman Last Wednesday, Monsanto announced that the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) approved a pilot program that will give farmers a 20 percent discount on insurance premiums if they plant a majority of their corn acres with seeds featuring Monsanto’s trademarked YieldGard Plus with Roundup… Read more »
India’s Organic State Enjoys Improved Health, Tourism, and Environment
Cornucopia’s Take: Sikkim, a small state in India, passed legislation to practice only organic agriculture in 2003. In 2014, the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers became a criminal offense. Plasticware has likewise been banned. Farmers in the state report lower yields and the need for more training and market access. Sikkim officials have since… Read more »
