organics

Obama's Pesticide-Pushing Nominee

When Michelle Obama announced plans to plant an organic garden at the White House, nearly everybody thought it was a great idea. Everybody except for the pesticide industry.

Posted in lobbyists, organics, pesticide

Corporate Agribusiness Divides Farmers

Why is conventional agriculture so wound up? Are they afraid of organic agriculture? What's all the fuss about? After all, a recent study by the Lieberman Research Group showed that organic food sales account for only 3.5% of all food product sales in the US.

Posted in BigAg, farming, food, organics

The Organic Revolution: How We Can Stop Global Warming

"Let us not talk falsely now, for the hour is getting late."

Bob Dylan, "All Along the Watchtower"

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Posted in agriculture, grassroots, organics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2009
9:47 AM

CONTACT: Cornucopia Institute
Mark Kastel, 608-625-2042

Largest Organic Factory Farm Operator Once Again Accused of Illegal Activity

Family Dairy Farmers Appeal to Obama Administration for Swift Enforcement

WASHINGTON - August 31 - Aurora Dairy, based in Boulder, Colorado, the nation's largest organic dairy producer, is once again facing allegations of improprieties. Aurora had previously been found in "willful" violation of multiple federal organic standards by USDA investigators in 2007.

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Seeking economic justice for the family-scale farming community. Through research, advocacy, and economic development our goal is to empower farmers - partnered with consumers - in support of ecologically produced local, organic and authentic food.

Cornucopia Institute Links:

Posted in food, organics

Do We Need Industrial Agriculture to Feed the World?

Okay, only fair to warn you. I do not answer the question here. Second, the subject is not really one for a blog, more for a book. But it's important to say short things as well as long. Third, I have a bias. We all do. In this case, it matters that I like Michael Pollan's writing and that I believe there is much wrong with conventional agriculture as practiced in the United States. You will see why that is relevant in just a moment. Now back to the question.

This one really matters.

Posted in agriculture, food, organics, Sustainability

Organic Agriculture Beats Biotech at Its Own Game

Organic agriculture's recently recognized benefits for improving food security don't depend on a boost from genetically modified (GM) technology.

Posted in agriculture, organics, Sustainability

Non-Organic Organic Food

When it comes to a healthy diet, I am not a purist. Too late for that because I grew up eating such culinary concoctions as toasted sandwiches constructed of Spam, white bread and that oddly orange, oddly spongy cheeselike stuff known as Velveeta.

Posted in organics

Organic Versus Conventional Food: UK Report Flawed

A report issued Wedneday [PDF] by Dr. Alan Dangour of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK, claims that there is no substantial difference in nutritional content between organic and conventional food. The report was based on the review of fifty years worth of research papers on the subject.

Posted in food, organics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2009
2:54 PM

CONTACT: Organic Consumers Association
Ronnie Cummins (218) 226-4164
Alexis Baden-Mayer (202) 744-0853

Vilsack to Appoint New Organic Standards Board Members

Vilsack to Appoint New Organic Standards Board Members Organic Consumers Association Makes Endorsements

WASHINGTON - July 14 - This year, Secretary Vilsack will make the Obama Administration's first appointments to the National Organic Standards Board, a volunteer board comprised of representatives of the organic community who make formal recommendations on organic standards to the USDA National Organic Program.

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The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics. We are the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers.

Organic Consumers Association Links:

Posted in organics

BigAg Ticked at Michelle Obama's Organic Garden

Mrs Obama started work on the kitchen garden with a gang of schoolchildren last month. Media coverage of the first White House food plot since Eleanor Roosevelt "dug for victory" in the Second World War garnered media coverage across the world.

Posted in organics