Cornucopia’s Take: If you have ever hand-pollinated a flower, you understand the critical work of bees and other pollinators. Scientists have discovered that the sound vibration of bees’ buzzing causes the evening primrose flower to sweeten its nectar. Findings like this one open the door for more understanding of co-evolution and the complex inter-workings of… Read more »
Search Results for: GMO
Will Trump’s “New NAFTA” Spread the American Dairy Catastrophe to Canada?
Cornucopia’s Take: Canadian dairy farmers operate under supply management, meaning farmers manage their production so it coincides with forecasts of demand for dairy. This ensures that there is no glut of milk on the market, which would drive prices down. Due to the enormous oversupply of milk in the U.S., driven by huge factory farm… Read more »
Industry Watchdog Asks DOJ Regulators to Examine Organic Poultry Acquisition
Tyson Foods Announces Plans to Acquire Smart Chicken Brand [Read Cornucopia’s letter to the DOJ and FTC.] Last week, U.S. meat industry titan Tyson Foods, Inc. announced its plans to acquire Tecumseh Poultry, LCC for an undisclosed amount. The deal would take one of the leading organic poultry brands, Smart Chicken, and pair them with… Read more »
Soil Health is the Future of Agriculture
Cornucopia’s Take: The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition notes in the article below, “reforms to conservation, research and the farm safety net present an enormous opportunity to improve the health of our soils.” Cornucopia agrees that changes to the 2018 Farm Bill could go a long way toward healing agricultural lands, now some of the biggest… Read more »
Indoor Ag Warehouses Cannot Take the Place of Organic Farms
Cornucopia’s Take: It is becoming more and more common to convert buildings into hydroponic growing facilities using fertilizers and artificial lighting instead of soil and sunlight. Hydroponic growing techniques do not have the environmental and health benefits that come with organic farming. Local, organic farmers who steward the land are unfairly undercut by this cheaper, industrialized… Read more »
Organic Values are Conservative Values
Cornucopia’s Take: Our colleague, Jim Riddle, argues that organic is a naturally conservative growing method, noting that enforcing organic regulations worldwide will help bring business back to U.S. farmers from foreign organic grain importers. Organic farm leader Jim Riddle seeking common ground with Donald Trump, conservatives The Plain Dealer by Debbi Snook Jim Riddle While organic farming… Read more »
School Gardens Growing Test Scores Alongside Greens
Cornucopia’s Take: More schools are adding gardens to be worked and enjoyed by staff and students. A D.C. study shows higher scores in reading, math, and science in schools with gardens. As school gardens spread, so do the teaching moments The Washington Post by Adrian Higgins Source: Don Barrett We are living in uncertain times,… Read more »
Farm Aid’s Strange Agribusiness Bedfellows: Concert Sponsor Investigated for Organic Labeling Improprieties
Another Farm Aid Misstep: Partnering with Corporate Agribusiness While Purporting to Support Family Farmers Top Sponsor “Indicted” for Misrepresenting Itself as Organic CORNUCOPIA, WI: On the eve of the annual Farm Aid concert, Saturday in Bristow, Virginia, The Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry watchdog, has filed a formal legal complaint against Farm Aid’s marquee sponsor,… Read more »
New Animal Welfare Rules Could Harm Family-Scale Dairy Farmers
This action alert is over. Broilers, Layer Standards Could Lock-in Favorable Treatment for Factory Farms Comments due by July 13 [Extended from June 13] One of the reasons consumers are willing to pay premium prices for organic milk, meat, and eggs is because they think animals are cared for in a more humane manner. Rules… Read more »
5 Top Cities for Raising Urban Livestock
Modern Farmer by Brian Barth Source: Bill Benzon Some urban farmers find out the hard way that the zoning regulations of many municipalities don’t allow just any type of agricultural activity inside city limits — people have been fined and threatened with jail time. In some cities it’s still illegal to grow a few vegetables in… Read more »
