sustainable agriculture

If those who consume mass meat products could witness either a) the conditions 95% of the animals in the factory farm industry have to endure, or b) the loss that is accruing in humanity’s inner life due to this animal abuse  - then the industry would grind to a halt overnight.  Surely the human race cannot be as diabolical as its relationship with the animal kingdom suggests.

Last week, the heir to the British throne, HRH Prince Charles, spoke out about Genetically Manipulated crops and their many and varied impacts on food production. Recognised as an opponent of industrialised agriculture, the Prince's comments come at an opportune time, and will surely re-ignite debate in the GM arena as scientists plead for more sites to run tests on, while opponents continue the fight, even taking to destroying crops at one test site earlier this year in the UK.

Researcher looks at the potential impact of rising CO2 levels on weed populations, yesterday, today and tomorrow

This is a story that will likely make you hungry, inspired, and hopefully thinking a little broader than you started. This is a story of passion and mystery, with a twist at the end. This is about an ice cream that uses no dairy, yet tastes as good as, if not better than its milk based counterparts.

Recently Paul McCartney called on the British public to cut meat from their diet on Mondays. We're taking this world-wide one step at a time! Join our campaign to commit to being vegetarian on Mondays and see what difference one day a week makes.

Graeme Sait, is the co-founder of Qld Company, Nutri-Tech Solutions (NTS), a recognised world leader in sustainable agriculture/horticulture. He is a sought after, global keynote speaker, plus the founder of Radiance, a 6 day Wellness Festival that attracts crowds in excess of 12,000. He has many years of researching health and wellbeing and the benefits of all the correct foods especially fats and oils to teas, herbal remedies plus soil health agricultural systems and biological farming etc.

This week let ’s consider the question, “Are offsets inspirational?” Here we examine offsets from the 'innovation' side, and highlight the potential for offset opportunities to motivate the development and widespread adoption of new and cleaner technologies.

Agriculture is a prominent topic in the current policy and market discussions regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. Crop practices and livestock management are scrutinized for energy intensity and GHG emissions and mitigation potential. Biofuels policies are criticized as a threat to food supplies. Food, the practices providing it, and the countryside from which it comes, continue to gain attention in the ongoing debate concerning economic and environmental sustainability.

The Recent USDA Beef Recall and Why It Should Matter to the Future of American Consumerism. Recently, the US government called for the recall of the largest amount of beef in U.S. history. To me, this issue is important because industrial-style factory farming is a very environmentally-destructive modern practice. Not only is it posing a huge problem for open space conservation and preservation of natural resources out in the American countryside, but it is obviously a food safety / consumer issue as well. Take a look at the articles here and submit your own / let me know what you think.

A mini-documentary about Honduran farmer Don Cheyo, who grows organic crops and lives sustainably thanks to help from Sustainable Harvest International (SHI).

Jon Bansen believes that since he converted his farm over to being organic and sustainable, he’s becomes a much better farmer, and built a better business. In this story, there may be important lessons for both farmers and the American Public. Family favorite recipe from Jon: Egg Enchiladas. Can be found on website, cookingupastory.com

There is an unique rhythm to life in being a dairy farmer. Jon Bansen, a third generation farmer, owes his way of life to his grandfather who began the family tradition.

Five million family farms have been lost since the 1930’s, and most of the surviving farms are not small family operations. As the population of family farmers continues to age, there is a critical shortage of young farmers to take their place. Michael Paine is a rare breed, not only does he come into farming without a prior farming background, he’s also relatively young.

Not only is factory farming unacceptable because of the mistreatment to animals but also workers - who else but the unskilled could possibly work in a slaughterhouse?  Emotional and physical stress to all - animals, workers, consumers...... the only winner is big ag

If you need a reason to despise Monsanto, then watch this movie. It will grind your crackers. It will make you sick to your stomach. It will bring a tear to your eye (it did as I watched a child eat a pesticide laden strawberry at the end of the movie).

Arnold gets it wrong on industrial hemp.

The Red Rhino Orphanage Project is teaching the African villagers how to build homes from the clay like soil. They are also teaching the local villagers sustainable agricultiure and the use of renewable resources. EXCELLENT!