Two widely used neonicotinoids—a class of insecticide—appear to significantly harm honey bee colonies over the winter, particularly during colder winters, according to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The study replicated a 2012 finding from the same research group that found…
by Arjun Walia Below is a quick and informative video that documents the rise of superweeds, which have now spread to over 60 million acres of farmland in the United States alone. In the 1990s, Monsanto introduced a new line of seeds called “Roundup Ready,”…
A new model for solar farms that “co-locates” crops and solar panels could result in a harvest of valuable biofuel plants along with solar energy. by Ker Than Growing agave and other carefully chosen plants amid photovoltaic panels could allow solar farms not only to…
By Jeffrey Green Natural farmer Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms recently discussed the science and costs behind factory farming versus natural methods on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. While factory farms create uninhabitable dead zones and antibiotic-resistant diseases across the world, agriculture methods that replicate…
by Arjun Walia Sri Lanka has decided to completely ban glyphosate from their country; it’s the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide. In doing so they join a growing list of countries that have/are doing the same. The ban comes out of concern that the…
by Melissa Melton A truck filled with genetically modified canola overturned in the WA Great Southern region of Australia and a Senator and agricultural official of the green political party came forward to say the crash needs to be treated as a “serious biohazard”: “Spills…
By Andrea Germanos When I came out and saw my loss, I mean you literally just cry. The record cold that gripped much of the Midwest this winter added insult to injury to already struggling bee populations. While they expect to lose a small proportion…
By Heather Callaghan The issue of corn-destroying rootworms becoming resistant to the very crops designed to kill them – isn’t breaking news. Not only was it predicted before the advent of commercialized genetically engineered crops, but it’s been an ongoing problem. Apparently, it’s become such…
by Jon Rappoport A new US survey highlights the ominous “gene drift” problem, the contamination of organic food crops by GMOs from other farms. This is not a new situation. It has been present since the introduction of commercial GMO crops in 1996. The survey…
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is the most expensive and invasive disease for pig producers on a global scale. Though it is not occurring on every farm, it is the biggest disease problem in the pig industry, said a University of Illinois animal sciences…
by Sayer Ji The GM farming system has made exposure to Roundup herbicide a daily fact of our existence, and according to the latest US Geological Survey study its probably in the air you are breathing… A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey, accepted…
‘The bad years are going to be worse’ Fertilizer could be too much of a good thing for the world’s grasslands, according to study findings to be published online Feb. 16 by the journal Nature. The worldwide study shows that, on average, additional nitrogen will…
By Heather Callaghan As demand for local and raw goods continue to rise, more people are asking – where do I find local organic? Where do I find raw milk and join a herd share? Where are the farmers markets, co-ops and stands? [Listen In!…
A lively fun discussion took place on January 18th over at Food Riot Radio. Showhost Brad Jordan interviewed Heather Callaghan about the practice of sewage treating industrial farmland and how that affected Whole Foods Market when a consumer blew the whistle on the health food…
By Heather Callaghan Another explanation for Colony Collapse Disorder and the rapid decline of honeybees follows a surprising discovery involving a virus that typically infects the Plant Kingdom – Tobacco Ringspot Virus (TRSV). U.S. and Chinese researchers report their findings in mBio, the online open-access…
by Joe Martino Imagine walking into a high rise building only to find out it was actually a vertical farm. As odd as this sounds, this type of building is popping up in different areas of the world as the idea promises new, environmentally friendly…
by Sayer Ji A new study published in the January issue of International Journal of Toxicology titled, “GlyphosateCommercial Formulation Causes Cytotoxicity, Oxidative Effects, and Apoptosis on Human Cells: Differences With its Active Ingredient,” raises renewed concern that formulations of the world’s most popular herbicide glyphosate…
by Natural Blaze There is an Internet of farming taking shape that is relying on the same open source approach demonstrated in the Hackerspace community. First, it is important to know what a Hackerspace is. The video below is a short introduction that explains the…
by Heather Callaghan Despite genetically modified corn comprising up to 90% of corn crops in the United States, non GMO hybrid corn (often called conventional) has managed to hang on. There appears to be a steady rising market for non-GMO corn. Spectrum Premium Non-GMO is…
State stacks the deck against heritage hog farmer Mark Baker By Sara Burrows Heritage hog farmer Mark Baker sued the State of Michigan when its Department of Natural Resources arbitrarily ordered him to kill his pigs in late 2011. After two years of stalling, the…
