The World Post Burmese migrant workers in a Thai shrimp peeling plant. Source: ILO in Asia & the Pacific An AP investigation has found shrimp peeled by modern-day slaves in Thailand is reaching the U.S., Europe and Asia. SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand (AP) — Every morning at 2 a.m., they heard a kick on the door and… Read more »

The New York Times Magazine by Peter Andrey Smith Source: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory The rich array of microbiota in our intestines can tell us more than you might think. Eighteen vials were rocking back and forth on a squeaky mechanical device the shape of a butcher scale, and Mark Lyte was beside himself with… Read more »

Newsweek by Max Kutner Credit: NRCS On January 21, 2010, a cold, clear day, Dean Pierson woke up early, as usual. The 59-year-old put on a pair of blue jeans and a hooded coat before the sun was up, then went to his barn, turned on the lights, closed all the doors and windows, powered… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: The article below gives the history of glyphosate toxicity testing and the uncomfortably cozy relationship between EPA management and Monsanto. Monsanto has apparently simply refused to participate in any truly independent research on glyphosate safety, and the EPA has repeatedly capitulated to their noncompliance since 1973. How Monsanto Captured the EPA (And Twisted… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: If you find yourself in South Jersey, take a trip to the pick-your-own blueberry farms selling heirloom varieties you’ve never conceived of if you’ve only eaten blueberries from the store. Large producers increasingly grow them hydroponically, although Driscoll’s uses the misleading euphemism “container growing.” They grow varieties that can be easily harvested, packed,… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: Consumers should carefully monitor where their fish and seafood comes from to avoid supporting human trafficking. This new report by Human Rights Watch details continued human rights abuses in Thailand. Thailand: Forced Labor, Trafficking Persist in Fishing Fleets Human Rights Watch Reforms Fall Short of Addressing EU, US Concerns Forced labor and other… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: Our friends at Family Farm Defenders recently visited a family operated dairy farm in Japan.  We thought you might enjoy this account of their visit to the Two Little Hills farm. “Watch out for the cars, Karen! You can’t trust those old folks’ driving!” my host father warned as he shuffled over to pick… Read more »

Cornucopia’s Take: The newsreel spins so fast, it seems even reporters skim the news sometimes. Cornucopia encourages readers to examine studies of interest personally, and not just rely on media coverage. What the latest research actually says (and doesn’t) about organic The Organic Center Source: Casey Lessard Precise analysis of scientific articles isn’t always easy… Read more »

AgriCultures Network by Roland Bunch Source: NRCS Most of our ideas about soils ignore the millions of years before mankind started farming. But what happened during the 99.9% of a soil’s history contains very important lessons. So let us celebrate the International Year of Soils by looking at what that history can tell us –… Read more »

Union of Concerned Scientists by Karen Stillerman It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. An organization representing tens of thousands of “lunch ladies” nationwide is leading the charge in Congress to roll back key healthy school lunch rules—including requirements for less sodium, more whole grains, and more fruits and vegetables on kids’ school lunch trays…. Read more »