by Jack Lazor of Butterworks Farm in Westfield, Vermont Butterworks Farm Cattle on Pasture We celebrate forty years on our farm this summer. Four decades of Earth stewardship has taught us many lessons—some easy and obvious, others more difficult and involved. Originally, we bought our farm because we wanted to be self-sufficient homesteaders producing everything… Read more »
Search Results for: regenerative agriculture
Whistleblower Speaks Out Against USDA, Corruption and Systemic Pesticides
truthout by Maryam Henein, HoneyColony Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, a respected expert on the risk assessment of pesticides and genetically modified crops, worked for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research (ARS) for more than a decade. But when his findings on the ill effects of systemic pesticides and RNAi on pollinators began to gain… Read more »
Biopesticides Show Promise for Modern Agriculture
Cornucopia’s Take: Medical cannabis use has brought more attention to the issue of pesticide residues. People with compromised health want to ensure they are not subjected to toxic residues on the plant, and some companies have stepped in to offer effective pesticides in the form of living microorganisms and natural chemicals. These biopesticides are often… 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 »
Iowa’s Polluted Water Begins to Rise Above Politics
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 »
A Farmer’s View of the NOSB Meeting in Denver
Cornucopia’s Take: Dave Chapman of Long Wind Farm in Vermont attended the recent National Organic Standards Board meeting. We share his thoughts on events there, and the history leading to them, below. Is healthy soil important? by Dave Chapman Dave Chapman testifies at the NOSB meeting in Denver “Finally, the soul of organics is at… Read more »
Denver USDA Meeting Will Help Decide Organic Future
Farmers, Consumers, Nonprofits Challenge Mounting Agribusiness Dominance Will Industrial-Scale Hydroponic (soil-less) Production or Allowing Plastic Contamination of Organic Farmland be Sanctioned? NOSB Deliberations at the Fall 2016 Meeting Advocates for organic food and farming are, increasingly, victims of their own success. Over the past 25 years, this grassroots movement has morphed into a $43 billion… Read more »
Organic Beef at a Glance
What is organic beef? The destructive nature of industrial meat production casts a long, harmful shadow. But authentic organic beef production deserves our collective support. This farming system actually contributes to the public good, providing ecosystem services and supporting local economies. Authentic organic beef offers the best choice for you and your family. Many people… Read more »
NOSB Oral Comments, Spring 2024
DAY 1: APRIL 23, 2024 Liz Bell – Organic Valley (LS, CACS, General) I work to advocate for and consult our 1600 farmer members. OV believes that holistic animal care is essential in organic livestock management. OV, Stonyfield, and Arora petitioned to add Meloxicam to be added to the National List (NL). It would be… Read more »
NOSB Oral Comments, Fall 2023
DAY 1: October 17, 2023 Michele Arsenault take a roll call of National Organic Standards Board: all members are present except for Javier Zamora. For more information about the NOSB members, check out the NOSB’s biographies. NOSB Chair, Nate Powell-Palm, runs the webinar comment session. Alan Lewis – Natural Grocers (General) Part of many ag… Read more »
