Search Results for: gmo

The Canary in the Organic Coal Mine

Organic Crops and Gardens Increasingly Contaminated by Persistent Herbicides by Linley Dixon, PhD This sunflower shows the leaf curl characteristic of poisoning by aminopyralid herbicide. In this case, the herbicide contamination came from horse manure. Photo by John Mason, www.geologywales.co.uk Nothing is more infuriating than first-hand accounts of “Big Ag” putting sustainable organic farmers out of business. Herbicide… Read more »

Trump’s NAFTA Renegotiation May Hurt, Not Help, U.S. Farmers

Cornucopia’s Take: A newly minted North American trade deal could increase U.S. exports and would likely also increase imports. Multinational corporations would benefit immensely, while a fair price for farmers and food sovereignty remain distractions for U.S. negotiators. Family farm groups from three countries slam NAFTA reboot based on TPP Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy… Read more »

In the Central Valley, Organic Farming is Slowly Taking Hold

HealthyCal By Alexia Underwood Organic. Could a more polarizing word exist in agriculture today? For some, organic means safer, more nutritious food and environmentally-friendly farming practices. For others, the word ‘organic’ brings to mind extensive, unnecessary regulations, or wealthy consumers willing to shell out top dollar at their local farmer’s market. Organic products are generally… Read more »

Conventional Models Meet Organic Practices

Preserving Family-scale Grain Farming [This article was previously published in the spring issue of The Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] by Anne Ross, JD Farm and Food Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute Source: Adobe Stock Over the past few years, imports of organic corn, soybeans, and other grain have soared, an escalation attributed to shortfalls in… Read more »

Battle Over Organic Products Turns Toxic

Law.com Tresa Baldas The organic marketplace is sprouting litigation over fake organic and natural products — some of them harmful — that are being sold to unwitting consumers. In Missouri, several class actions have been consolidated into one suit against the Aurora Organic Dairy Corp., which is accused of selling bogus organic milk that does… Read more »

Supreme Court Hears Monsanto v. Geertson Arguments

AgWeb (link no longer available) Charles Johnson, Farm Journal National Editor Neither side had a clear edge when the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms, the case involving GMO alfalfa (read the background on the case). In fact, the justices seemed to wonder why the case wound up before… Read more »

Pesticide-Exposed Bumblebee Queens Less Likely to Lay Eggs

Cornucopia’s Take: While there are likely many reasons wild bee colonies are declining, pesticide exposure remains one of the factors that humans can control. Neonicotinoids are not allowed in organic agriculture, but continue to be used in conventional and GMO agriculture despite considerable research pointing to their damaging effects on pollinator populations. Popular Pesticides Keep… Read more »

FDA Approves First Genetically Engineered Animal for Human Consumption Over the Objections of Millions

Center for Food Safety Center for Food Safety to File Lawsuit Challenging “Dangerous and Unlawful” Decision Source: Daniel Voglesong WASHINGTON, DC (November 19, 2015) – Center for Food Safety today announced plans to sue the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to block the agency’s approval for sale and consumption of the genetically engineered AquaAdvantage® salmon developed… Read more »