Values-based solutions in a time of need [This article was previously published in the spring issue of the Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] “Concern for community” is one of the seven guiding principles of cooperatives. It’s also at the core of the responses and solutions offered by co-ops throughout the country as they keep their owners and… Read more »
Cornucopia’s Take: We often see stories in the news claiming that organic is no better than conventional agriculture. One of these propaganda pieces recently ran in AgDaily. The author, Michelle Miller, styles herself as a homey Iowan farmer, but a look at her work suggests otherwise. For example, she extolls the safety of the U.S…. Read more »
Cornucopia’s Take: A new review of 200 studies shows that neonicotinoids and fipronil, the two most popular types of pesticides do surprisingly little to improve crop yields when they are used because insects quickly develop resistance to them. Given the dangers these pesticides pose to humans, wildlife, and the environment, it appears to be time… Read more »
Cornucopia’s Take: “Superbugs” have become a threat to human health, caused largely by the abuse of antibiotics in our healthcare and food systems. The World Health Organization is now calling on governments to stop antibiotic abuse. Perhaps predictably, conventional meat producers are not pleased with the suggestion. WHO To Farmers: Stop Giving Your Animals So… Read more »
Cornucopia’s Take: Recent surveys across the nation show that some weeds are showing resistance to dicamba, an older pesticide which has recently been reformulated for use in a supposedly less volatile form. Dicamba is touted as an important weapon for farmers seeking to kill weeds which have become resistant to Monsanto’s flagship herbicide glyphosate. The pesticide… Read more »
Cornucopia’s Take: This eucalyptus tree has been genetically engineered to withstand winter here in the U.S and for primary use in bioenergy. Eucalyptus trees grow rapidly by using up soil nutrients and ground water, and they will spread their GE pollen and seeds across the land. Let the USDA know what you think. TAKE ACTION:… Read more »
Permaculture by Soil Association Late Blight Diseased Potato Source: USDA The Innovative Farmers network have been researching into blight resistant potato varieties, finding several heritage varieties and newer breeds with high yields and good resistance. An Innovative Farmers field lab tested heritage varieties of potato and found that all varieties, including newer breeds, performed well… Read more »
The Salt – NPR by Jodi Helmer Source: USDA The newest apiary inspector at the Maryland Department of Agriculture has four legs, golden fur and a powerful sniffer. Mack, a 2-year-old yellow Lab, joined the team last fall to help his mom, chief apiary inspector Cybil Preston, inspect beehives for American foulbrood — AFB —… Read more »
The Guardian by Reuters in San Antonio de los Baños Source: Ziva & Amir When the Caribbean state was no longer able to afford pesticides – which have been linked with declining bee populations – it made a virtue out of a necessity Long known for its cigars and rum, Cuba has added organic honey to… Read more »
Center for Food Safety Pictured: Fish farm off Australian coast Source: Michael Coghlan New Orleans, LA –On January 13, consumer, environmental, and sustainable fishing and farming organizations expressed their strong opposition to new federal regulations that permit the development of industrial fish farms offshore in U.S. waters. The new rules allow up to 20 facilities… Read more »
