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U.S. Government Poster from World War II (courtesy of Library of Congress)
Are Victory Gardens an idea whose time has come back? Could a quick history lesson lead to a better future?
During World War II Americans lived with rations of such necessities as tires, gasoline, sugar, and other foodstuffs. The US government encouraged ordinary people to create Victory Gardens; small plots of fruits and vegetables to stave off food shortages so more mass-produced food could be sent to feed the troops.
The people responded. Two million Americans created Victory Gardens in their backyards or communities. According to author Michael Pollan, "...during World War II, Victory Gardens supplied as much as 40% of the produce Americans ate."
Victory Gardens were more than a war time activity, they were a social phenomenon. Schools and families planted Victory Gardens together, often on communal land. Families caught up on news as they planted and harvested. Nutrition information was widely disseminated to help home cooks create balanced meals for their families. Today’s obesity epidemic must have been unimaginable to those gardeners.
Today there are many gardens that are very much like the Victory Gardens of old. In backyards across America folks are growing their own produce, spices and herbs. They harvest fruits and vegetables that have been raised without pesticides and enjoy them when they are at the peak of their freshness and nutritional value. Adding home-grown fare to the fresh produce from a local farm stand or a farmers market gives gardeners the best of both worlds.
If you’d like to try your hand at growing some food of your own but don’t have your own backyard, you can join a community garden. In 2004, the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) estimated that there were already 18,000 community gardens across the USA and Canada. Urban community gardens can be found from South Central Los Angeles to the Bronx in New York City. If there’s no community garden near your home, think about organizing your neighbors to get one started.
Funded by federal grants, GreenThumb has been a program of the NYC Parks Department since 1995. The nonprofit organization has over 600 member gardens serving 20,000 city residents. New York University released a study of the effect of community gardens on nearby property values. The study of 636 community gardens in NYC showed a positive effect on sales prices of residential properties within a 1,000-foot radius of a community garden when compared to properties outside the 1,000-foot ring, but still in the same neighborhood. The effect was significant and increasing over time. The tax benefit to the city over a 20-year period was estimated at $647 million dollars or $1 million per garden. Who knows how much might be saved on medical costs by the healthier diet the gardens make possible.
Not all benefits are measured in dollars. Here’s what Karen Washington from the Garden of Hope in the Bronx had to say about her experience:
To grow your own food gives you a sort of power and it gives people dignity. You know exactly what you’re eating because you grew it. It’s good, it’s nourishing and you did this for yourself, your family and your community.
We could help reduce America’s reliance on oil simply by keeping vegetable gardens and cutting down on the amount of food that has to be transported by truck. It would reduce the need for petroleum-based fertilizers on giant corporate farms. If you’re unhappy about where all the money Americans spend on oil and gasoline is going, than spread the word: Bring Back Victory Gardens!
If you'd like to start a garden in your community or your backyard here's some info that should help:
American Community Gardening Association
Funding & Other Support for Community Gardens
Cooking from the Heart of the Garden
Crop Growing on New Jersey Farm (© David Olah | Dreamstime.com)
Folks in New Jersey should find it easier than ever to buy local produce this spring. Packer.com reports that due to near perfect weather conditions New Jersey’s farmers have “produced ample supplies of high-quality spring vegetables.”
The article states that while higher fuel prices have hurt New Jersey’s farmers, higher prices for produce shipped from across the country have led buyers to buyers for eastern markets to turn to growers in closer proximity. Romaine, green leaf, red leaf, bibb and boston lettuce are among the big sellers.
According to the article, “Tom Sheppard, president of Eastern Fresh Growers Inc., Cedarville, N.J., reported slightly lower yields on spring asparagus out of New Jersey, but said strong markets are making up for the decline.”
If you’d like to read the article in Packer.com cited above go to: N.J. lettuce, asparagus meet with strong demand
Fresh Food & Fine Design (photo by Mary R. Vogt, courtesy of morguefile.com)
Some time back we asked if local was the new organic when it came to the preferences of American consumers. A survey recently released by the Food Marketing Institute and Prevention magazine, "Shopping for Health 2008," indicates that health conscious consumers are choosing locally grown produce over organic alternatives.
The researchers wanted to know how healthy eaters succeed when it comes to shopping for food. They found that nearly everyone (80%) tries to eat healthily. Among those who try a lot, 10% say they are “always successful.” The survey profiled the one in 10 who succeeds.
When presenting the results of the survey, Cary Silvers, director of consumer insights for the company that publishes Prevention said, “Shoppers’ new interest in locally grown food reflects their strong desire to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables…The battle between organic and locally grown represents who shoppers believe can deliver the freshest produce.”
There are plenty of reasons to choose local produce. It is when it is fresh that food is at its most nutritious and most flavorful. Buying local is a choice that supports a community's farmers. Buying it limits the environmental harm done when foods are transported over great distances.
Many foodies buy local produce to savor the singular flavors of seasonal offerings that are part of their regional food heritage. The chance to talk to the farmers who produce the fresh fruit and veggies and learn from them makes shopping at a farmers market a pleasure for those concerned about personal health and the health of the environment.
To read the press release on which this item was based go to: Shopping for Health 2008: Setting Specific Goals and Plans Key to Healthy Eating
Tempranillo Grapes Growing in Colmenar de Oreja (Image courtesy of HG Marketing)
Crowds of visitors flock to Madrid each year for the city’s great plazas, the magnificent “Golden Triangle of Museums,” the historic Palacio Real, and the terrific tapas. While there they are also likely to savor some of Spain’s fine wines, some of which are crafted just a short distance from the city.
Many visitors are probably unaware that one of Europe’s most captivating capitals is in the heart of the Madrid wine region where some of the country’s many talented winemakers pursue their craft. The region’s winegrowers produce fine wines suitable to accompany platters of Spain's exquisite sheep’s milk cheeses and smoked meats.
We recently attended a tasting of some the Madrid region’s outstanding offerings. The production of these wines is deeply rooted in a tradition that dates back to the 13th Century. If you find yourself in the capital, a visit to a local winery should make for a lovely day trip, but we had a wonderful time sampling the work of Madrid’s winegrowers without ever leaving the U.S.
The Varietals
The red wines of the Madrid region are made using Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah grapes, with the first two of these being the most predominant and distinctive. The white wines are made using Malvar, Albillo, Parellada, Torrontes, Viura, Airen, and Moscatel small grain grapes. The Malvar and Albillo are the most widely grown and are native to the region.
The tasting presented us with more good wines than we can recount, but we marveled at the novel qualities of the Qubel Barrica 2002. It is a blend consisting of 80% of the Tempranillo varietal, with the remainder being 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Syrah. It is aged in French (Allier) oak barrels, giving it a smoked flavoring along with a slight bitterness. Only 3,500 bottles and magnums are produced each year.
Equally unique among the reds on hand was the Homet 2003. It too is a blend, with 70% Tempranillo, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It comes from the Charles III Royal Winery, founded by the King to supply the Royal Household. It is aged in oak barrels for 14 months with production limited to less than 4,000 bottles. The great cellar is made up of underground brick galleries that offer constant temperature and humidity year round. The extraordinary conditions produce a delightful young wine. As with France's Beaujolais, it is sometimes served slightly chilled in sunny Madrid.
And there were more red wines worth sampling to see which are best suited to an individual taste. If you’re feeling prosperous you might indulge in a pricey, but richly rewarding bottle of Bodegas Ricardo Benito 2002. It is produced with Tempranillo grapes grown on very old vines and aged in French oak barrels for 18 months at a winery resting 2,000 feet above sea level, just 25 miles from Madrid. Only 2,000 bottles are produced each year, but it should be easier to find at an American wine shop than ever before due to recent marketing efforts.
Sustainable Winegrowing
In 2002, the European Program for Integrated Pest Management created a winegrowers association (ATRIA) that provides a responsible agronomist and some Vegetal Sanity Government specialists to support winegrowers. It is one of ATRIA’s objectives to limit the use of pesticides to only the optimum moments, to reduce the number of treatments, and to choose the ones that are most respectful of the environment.
We asked Mario Bravo Cea, the man from ATRIA responsible for viticulture, about the Madrid region’s efforts to produce wine in a sustainable manner. He explained that pest management in Madrid is generally quite easy, making it possible to pursue almost organic production. Warm conditions provide high temperatures and low humidity in most of the vegetative cycle, making it difficult for vine pests and diseases to develop, leaving no need for the application of dangerous levels of pesticides. Indeed, one of the wines we tasted was certified organic.
We also asked Mario about methods of irrigation. He told us there are few vineyards in Madrid that are watered as most of the vines produce beautifully in conditions of dryness. Although using water in vineyards is allowed, it has to be with localized irrigation methods and the annual amount of water used is regulated by law.
The winegrowers also don’t spend a lot on vine fertilization. There are organic matter fertilizers from plants or animal residues that are being used, but the use of mineral complex are more extended. ATRIA is addressing the issue, working to limit the application of mineral products by adapting fertilizing programs to each type of soil.
For extending a long tradition of fine wine production and adapting the most sustainable agricultural methods we can only say Viva Espana!
Can a meal be truly great without a dessert? "Maybe" was a reply that came up a few times during a small, informal poll. And there was a welcome completion of the thought: "But why chance it?"
Our friend Robin sees no need to to take that chance and she has created a selection sauces capable of satisfying dessert lovers everywhere. Place a jar of her creation in a microwave oven for just 30 seconds and a warm sauce du jour is ready for service over a favorite treat. Iice cream, cheesecake, fresh fruit, or homemade pound cake will all do nicely.
Robin’s Chocolate Sauce is handcrafted in northern Maine from a family recipe using only the finest, freshest ingredients. She combines pure organic cocoa, organic cane sugar and organic vanilla with local farm-fresh dairy ingredients to create a dessert topping that is simple and sophisticated, exotic and homemade. No artificial ingredients, just pure decadent goodness.
What began as a holiday gift for friends and family has gained quite a reputation among sweet tooths, cocoa connoisseurs and grandkids throughout Maine . Robin made her first batch of “Original Recipe” organic chocolate sauce in a 12-gallon steam kettle in 2004. Since then, she, her husband, and their two sons have built up the family business to produce six distinct varieties. Robin processes the sauce patiently in small batches to produce a luscious, creamy texture and flavor.
Great Dessert for a Great Cause
Awareness of global environmental issues is at the heart of the business. Robin became conscious of the not-so-sweet realities of the chocolate trade by researching where and how her ingredients are grown and produced, and by whom. She is committed to using organic, shade grown and local or Fair Trade Certified™ ingredients whenever possible. These standards are crucial to maintaining a sustainable environment, protecting migratory birds and creating healthy communities—and your children and grandchildren will notice the sweet difference.
Robin Herself
Robin’s Chocolate Sauce is more than a delicious dessert topping. It’s a resource for the education, awareness and advocacy of the issues concerning communities and the environment both locally and globally. Every delicious spoonful of sauce is helping make a difference.
With every purchase of Robin’s Chocolate Sauce, you’re supporting the mission of National Wildlife Federation to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future. What could be better than getting some delicious treats and supporting a great cause!
If you'd like to order some of Robin's spectacular sauces go to any of the following:
Robin's Original Chocolate Sauce
Tropical Dark Chocolate Sauce
Blueberry Chocolate Sauce
Ginger Pear Chocolate Sauce
Orange Spice Chocolate Sauce
Raspberry Chocolate Sauce
Robin's Fair Trade™ Variety Pack
Robin's Original Chocolate Sauces
Pollinating Bee (Photo by © P.Winberg)
Many people may be unaware that about 30% of all food crops grown in the U.S. are dependent on bee pollination and for a couple of years there have been alarming reports on the strange disappearance of huge numbers of bees.
The implications for American agriculture and the diets of American families are frightening enough, but making matters worse is the fact that no one has been able to pinpoint the cause or causes of the fate of the bees. Now the Washington Post has reported on a study conducted at the University of Virginia suggesting that “emissions from power plants and automobiles may play a part” in the demise of honeybees and bumblebees.
The research was undertaken by Environmental Sciences Professor Jose D. Fuentes at the University of Virginia -- working with graduate students Quinn S. McFrederick and James C. Kathilankal. The results of their work were published in the March issue of the journal Atmospheric Environment.
According to the article in the Post:
In the prevailing conditions before the 1800s, the researchers calculated that a flower's scent could travel between 3,280 feet and 4,000 feet, Fuentes said in an interview, but today, that scent might travel 650 feet to 1,000 feet in highly polluted areas such as the District of Columbia, Los Angeles or Houston.
Timothy H. Tear, a senior scientist at the advocacy group the Nature Conservancy, who studies the impact of air pollution on ecosystems, is quoted as saying, "We know that ozone levels continue to be high and go well beyond EPA standards for public health. What's been pretty consistent is the more we look at air pollution's impacts on natural resources, the more we find those impacts to be."
If you’d like to read the article in the Washington Post cited above go to: Air Pollution Impedes Bees' Ability to Find Flowers
Soya Field (© Fernandomoz | Dreamstime.com)
Contrary to repeated claims that turning to genetically modified crops will be necessary to solve the world’s growing food crisis, a major study conducted at the University of Kansas has found that the controversial technology actually reduces crop yields.
Though the study has received little attention in the U.S. media, The Independent of London reports that University's researchers found that genetically modified soya produces about 10% less food than its conventional equivalent.
According to The Independent:
Professor Barney Gordon, of the University's Department of Agronomy, said he started the research – reported in the journal Better Crops – because many farmers who had changed over to the GM crop had "noticed that yields are not as high as expected even under optimal conditions". He added: "People were asking the question 'how come I don't get as high a yield as I used to?'"
The results of the University of Kansas study supports previous findings. Earlier research at the University of Nebraska found that a GM soya produced 6% less than its closest conventional relative, and 11% less than the best non-GM soya available. The total U.S. cotton crop declined even as GM technology took over.
When asked if GM could solve world hunger, Professor Bob Watson, the Director of the University of Kansas study said: "The simple answer is no."
If you’d like to read the article in The Independent cited above go to: Exposed: the great GM crops myth
Mowing Oats & Sweet Clover (© Image courtesy of Roxbury Farm)
Roxbury Farm has been a pioneer of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) since getting started in 1990, and it’s been going strong ever since. Located in Kinderhook in New York State’s scenic and historic Hudson Valley, Roxbury Farm was the first CSA to serve members in New York City.
Community Supported Agriculture began as an alternative to giant agribusiness. It is grounded in a philosophy of biodynamic farming, which recognizes that all systems, whether economic, ecological, or biological, are microcosms having their own integrity, while simultaneously being dependent on one another.
To succeed, the alternative farms build direct relationships between farmers and consumers. Consumers become members who pay in advance for a share of the farm’s bounty. At Roxbury Farm a share provides 10-17 pounds of freshly harvested produce each week and members can gather their seasonal goodies at a convenient pickup site. Each member or family is asked to contribute three to four hours of time, helping to set up or clean up the site, delivering leftover food to a pantry, or telephoning other members with reminders.
Healthy, Sustainable Farming
At Roxbury Farm vegetables, strawberries, and herbs are produced without the use of any artificial or genetically modified inputs. Soil fertility is maintained through the use of compost and crop rotations. Roxbury Farm signed the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York’s “Farmer’s Pledge”. The pledge was created as an alternative to the cumbersome USDA organic certification process.
Community supported agriculture means being connected--to each other, to a farm, to the earth. At Roxbury Farm they take the word community seriously and playfully. Members develop close connections to the farm by visiting the U-pick garden, participating in farm workdays, potlucks, and other events.
The harvest gets shared in many ways. Food that is fresh and clean and reasonably priced gets shared along with the responsibility of distributing it. Uncollected food gets shared with homeless shelters and food pantries. The life of the farm and the life of the community become part of a shared alternative that represents a healthier and more sustainable food system.
If you’d like to learn more about the Farm & becoming a member go to: Roxbury Farm CSA
Alamo Square, San Francisco (photo by Kevin Connors, courtesy of morguefile.com)
The Mayor of San Francisco is asking the city’s restaurants to stop serving bottled water and serve tap water instead. Once a restaurateur himself, Mayor Gavin Newsom is only requesting that restaurants make the change, rather then proposing legislation to ban bottled water.
An article in the San Francisco Chronicle points out that, “The mayor made international headlines last year when he banned city government from spending tax dollars on bottled water for its employees, saying the containers clog landfills and pollute the environment.”
Recent testing by the American Waterworks Association Research Foundation found San Francisco’s watersupply to be one of the few tested that were free of contaminants. Blind taste tests revealed that San Francisco’s tap water was preferred over some bottled waters.
Food and Water Watch, a consumer advocacy group, is leading a national campaign to get restaurants to stop selling bottled water. The group’s executive director says that bottled water is a “con job and a scam.” He says customers who decline bottled water and request tap water can feel virtuous, not cheap.
If you’d like to read the San Francisco Chronicle article cited above go to: Restaurants urged to eschew bottles in favor of tap water
To view previous posts on the topic go to:
1. A Victory for Tap Water!
2. Tap Water as the Sustainable Choice
Riesling Plantings in Yakima Valley (Images courtesy of Mercer Estates)
Generations of experience have come together to launch Mercer Estates and produce premium wines from grapes grown in Washington State’s Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley. Two families, the Mercers and the Hogues, both began as winegrowers in the 1970s and developed stellar reputations for their vineyards. Now, they’ve joined hands and put together a team dedicated to making wines that exceed expectations.
In the U.S., only California produces more wine than the State of Washington. The two states enjoy a variety of terroirs capable of producing premium wines prized for their distinctive qualities. Some recent sampling suggested that the inaugural release of Mercer’s new line makes a nice addition to the fine wines produced in those coastal states.
The whites we tasted included the Riesling 2007, the Sauvignon Blanc 2007, and the Pinot Gris 2007. We considered the Sauvignon and the Pinot to be good candidates for accompanying seafood entrées, and cheese and charcuterie platters. The tangy and refreshing Riesling was a real delight and we’ll be serving it as a dessert wine at an upcoming gathering.
The reds we tasted were the Merlot 2005 and the Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. We felt that Merlot wines caught an undeserved slight in the film, “Sideways.” In that otherwise terrific film, the protagonist vehemently proclaimed that he would not drink Merlot. If that put you off the hearty grape, give Mercer’s Merlot a try and rediscover why the grape became so popular before the film dealt its blow.
The Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 we tasted was impressive, delivering full, rich flavors with a long length. It’s ready for drinking by discerning red wine lovers and promises to develop further with additional wine cellar aging. This one could be a signature Cabernet from Washington's Columbia Valley. Some day soon we'll savor it with some succulent grilled lamb chops.
Winemaker David Forsyth
Sustainable Winegrowing
At the tasting we had the pleasure of speaking with Winemaker David Forsyth and asked him about Mercer’s commitment to sustainable winegrowing. His response was an impressive listing of the measures the winery has already undertaken and continues implementing to ensure environmental responsibility. We won’t relay every one, but we were pleased to hear about the use of drip irrigation to eliminate the waste of water, composting to produce natural fertilizer, and using small, low-fuel vehicles to minimize the winery's carbon imprint.
Time-tested winegrowers, unique terroir, sustainable farming methods, and a commitment to exceeding the expectations of wine lovers should serve the new winery very well in the years to come. We expect the folks at Mercer Estates will provide plenty of pleasurable sipping for those looking to enjoy the fruit of their labors. We plan to be among them.
To learn more about the new Washington State winery go to: Mercer Estates
To view a previous post on the topic of Washington State wines go to: Washington Is Wine Country
Sacramento River (© christy mitchell | Dreamstime.com)
The richest source of King salmon south of Alaska has almost completely collapsed, according to a report in the New York Times. King, or Chinook salmon, are among the most prized wild fish from the Pacific Ocean.
Normally, the salmon swim upstream each fall to spawn, the most robust run in the Sacramento River. Their virtual disappearance has experts baffled and led to accusations of mismanagement. Some fishermen believe that government agencies diverted too much water for the benefit of powerful agricultural interests and dry cities to the south. Government officials and some scientists believe the salmon vanished due to upwelling ocean currents being out of sync, but no one knows for sure.
The article in the Times quotes Donald McIsaac, executive director of the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, “It’s unprecedented that this fishery is in this kind of shape.” The regional $150 million fishery is almost certain to remain closed this year.
If you’d like to read the article in the New York Times cited above go to: Chinook Salmon Vanish Without a Trace
Windmills at Sunset (photo by Dan Tombs, courtesy of morguefile.com)
Once the capital of North American oil production, Texas is now the leading the way for energy produced by wind power, generating enough energy from the wind to power 1 million homes.
Even billionaire oilman Boone Pickens has become a fan of the alternative energy. An article in the New York Times quotes Mr. Pickens as saying, “I have the same feelings about wind as I had about the best oil field I ever found.” He is planning to build the world’s largest wind farm, which will require an investment of $10 billion.
Wind power now produces about 1% of the electricity used in the United States; enough to power 4.5 million homes. The wind farm planned by Mr. Pickens will be capable of powering a small city by itself.
Besides producing clean and renewable energy, the wind farms are also fueling sustainable economic development. The New York Times article explained, "Teenagers who used to flee small towns like Sweetwater after high school are sticking around to take technical courses in local junior colleges and then work on wind farms. Marginal ranches and cotton farms are worth more with wind turbines on them."
If you’d like to read the New York Times article cited above go to: Move Over, Oil, There’s Money in Texas Wind
To view previous posts on the topic go to:
1. Suburban Homeowners Turn to Wind Power
2. Greening the Rust Belt
3. An Ancient Idea
Harbor in Wales (photo by King of Coleslaw, courtesy of morguefile.com)
The Sustainable Development Commission has found that too many supermarket practices are “unhealthy, unjust and unsustainable” according to an article published by icWales. The Commission is the independent watchdog on sustainable development for the Government of the United Kingdom.
The article says the Commission has declared that the Welsh Assembly Government “must harness the supermarkets’ power if it is to tackle obesity, climate change and the nation’s growing rubbish mountain.”
Professor Tim Lang of the Sustainable Development Commission is quoted as saying, "Today in the era of climate change, oil dependency, looming global water shortage, fish-stock crises, biodiversity and public health challenges, to aim purely for quantity of supply or cheapness at all costs is hopelessly inadequate."
The icWales article says the Commission “calls on the Government to develop an enforceable definition of 'local' food, to promote fair trade standard systems and to work with industry to develop a system of universal sustainability standards.”
If you’d like to read the icWales article cited above go to: Supermarkets must tackle obesity and waste - report
Solar Panels (© Maxfx | Dreamstime.com)
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would eliminate two tax breaks for the oil and gas industry that would amount to $18 billion over the next ten years. Under the legislation the money collected would provide tax breaks for wind power, solar power, other alternative energy sources, and energy conservation.
According to an Associated Press article posted by the Kansas City Star, the oil industry has lobbied strongly against the bill. The bill will face stiff opposition from Republican Senators and President Bush is expected to veto the bill if it is passed by the U.S. Senate.
The AP reports that during debate, Representative Jim McDermott of Washington urged lawmakers to "stop the madness of subsidizing oil companies" when just the five largest oil companies earned net profits of more than $120 billion last year.
Republicans said the measure unfairly punishes the oil and gas industry and pointed to statistics indicating that oil companies pay more taxes than many other industries.
If you’d like to read the Associated Press article cited above go to: House OKs new taxes on big oil companies
New Hampshire Corn Harvest (photo by Paul Anderson, courtesy of morguefile.com)
Diverting corn and other grains from the food supply to the production of biofuels has received some of the blame for rising food prices. Is there an environmental benefit to biofuels that justifies a price increase that hits hardest at those who can least afford it? Two new studies indicate that the answer is no.
According to an article in the Washington Post:
One study -- written by a group of researchers from Princeton University, Woods Hole Research Center and Iowa State University along with an agriculture consultant -- concluded that over 30 years, use of traditional corn-based ethanol would produce twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as regular gasoline. Another analysis, written by a Nature Conservancy scientist along with University of Minnesota researchers, found that converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas or grasslands in Southeast Asia and Latin America to produce biofuels will increase global warming pollution for decades, if not centuries.
A number of senior scientists who work on climate change have written to President Bush and congressional leaders urging them to change their energy policies in light of the new studies.
If you'd like to read the Washington Post article cited above go to: Studies Say Clearing Land for Biofuels Will Aid Warming
Pennsylvania Farm (photo by Michelle Kwajafa, courtesy of morguefile.com)
The reasonably well-informed have good reason to prefer organic foods. Many are willing to pay more for them to avoid the health risks of processed foods produced on factory farms, and do something positive for the health of the environment.
Pesticides have been linked to Parkinson’s by multiple studies. Besides pesticides, parents would also like to avoid feeding their children growth hormones, antibiotics, herbicides, and chemical ingredients they cannot recognize or pronounce. People who live near massive factory farms and those who have visited them are understandably upset by the environmental degradation and the treatment of livestock.
We’re convinced that a more sustainable food system would greatly improve the general health and the overall quality of life. We’re not alone. Farmers in the United States and the United Kingdom have been unable to keep up with the rapidly growing demand for organics. For many small, eco-friendly farmers the cost and process of obtaining certifications is itself an obstacle.
Consumers would like to purchase organic foods that are locally grown, but find they must often make a choice. With demand outstripping supply, organic food prices have soared. Many families must consider whether the best foods for their children’s health are within their means.
Alternatives to reliance on a food system that is not serving the best interests of the community are being pursued. Farmers markets are proliferating at an impressive rate. Community gardens are offering a wonderful alternative to a diet of highly processed and unhealthy food. Educational programs are teaching children about growing and cooking healthy foods. Every individual has an opportunity to help these positive trends to flourish with their choices and actions. It doesn’t get more hopeful than that.
If you’d like to read an Associated Press article on the topic go to: Organic Food Industry in a Supply Crunch
To read an article in Food Production Daily on the topic go to: UK organic market stifled by supply problems
Electric Truck Via Solar Panels (photo by Daniel T. Yara, courtesy of morguefile.com)
For those concerned about a weakening job market there’s some positive news. It isn’t good news just for jobseekers, environmentalists will be glad to hear that the solar power industry is creating jobs, and attracting “billions of dollars in investment and mountains of enthusiasm,” according to an article in the New York Times.
Long known as a state of innovation, California is leading the way. Here is some of what the Times article has to say,
In recent months, the industry has added several thousand jobs in the production of solar energy cells and installation of solar panels on roofs. A spate of investment has also aimed at making solar power more efficient and less costly than natural gas and coal.
Bravo!
One company executive in California is quoted in the article as saying, “It is hard to find installers…We’re at the stage where if we continue to grow at this pace, we won’t be able to sustain the growth.”
Innovative technologies, private sector investors, government incentives, environmental concerns, and the nationwide interest in alternative energy sources are all playing roles in the emergence of the solar industry.
Three quarters of the demand for solar power is currently in California and solar power accounts for only a tiny fraction of the world’s $3 trillion energy market. Still, it's good to hear that a lot of smart people are working hard to change those numbers and make the world we live in a cleaner place for generations to come.
If you’d like to read the New York Times article cited above go to: A Green Energy Industry Takes Root in California
To view previous posts on the topic go to:
1. Going Solar & Getting Credit
2. Inspiring Sustainable Living
Our friends at American Farmland Trust have sent us some wonderful news about the preservation of family-scale farming in New York State:
Nearly 13,300 acres of active farmland across New York will be protected—on 35 farms in 22 counties—thanks to $35 million in funding from the state’s Farmland Protection Program. The funding is the largest amount ever dedicated to farmland protection in the state, and will go to protect the largest single amount of acreage in the program’s 11-year history.
"This announcement marks a great victory for farmland conservation in New York," said David Haight, AFT’s New York Director. "AFT applauds the governor and New York legislature for their commitment to this critical program."
If you’d like to learn more about the efforts of AFT go to: American Farmland Trust: Saving the Land that Sustains Us
A Single Windmill (photo by J. P. Kollhøj, courtesy of morguefile.com)
Wouldn’t it be nice to lower your monthly electric bill from $100 to $10? Some suburban homeowners have been able to just that by installing windmills on their properties.
The cost of the equipment and the operating costs have come down sufficiently so that families living in windy areas now find it cost effective to turn to the wind to provide power for their homes. Smaller windmills are now available and some states are offering incentives and rebates that cut the price of purchasing one. The savings on utility bills have attracted converts to wind power, but a desire to protect the environment is also motivating them.
If you’d like to read an article from the New York Times on the topic go to: Homespun Electricity, From the Wind
To view previous posts on the topic go to:
1. An Ancient Idea
2. Greening the Rust Belt
3. Fine Wine & Clean Energy the Future of Western New York?
Here’s some great news we received from our friends at American Farmland Trust:
After several days of intense debate, the Senate passed a farm bill by a vote of 79-14.
In a victory for subsidy reform, the optional Average Crop Revenue (ACR) program passed. By adjusting with market prices, ACR is less production and trade distorting and represents a good step toward changing the way subsidies operate now and in the future. Your support helped this program get into the Senate package.
The Senate bill increases funding for conservation programs including wetland and grassland protection, stewardship of working lands and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. It also expands funding for nutrition, healthy diets programs for school children, and a number of local programs supporting farmers’ markets and expanded access for low income individuals. Other areas receiving additional funding include programs to save energy and help farmers and ranchers supply renewable energy to the nation, and programs to strengthen organic producers.
There is still work to be done. We were very disappointed that Senators did not find the political will to support amendments that more significantly reform commodity subsidies, or adequately fund programs to protect farm and ranch land (FRPP) and water quality (EQIP).
Now we shift our focus to the Conference Committee where the House and Senate bills must be reconciled. There are key differences between the two bills and we’re working to take the best from both for a bill that includes reform and keeps the increased funding for our key priorities—farmland protection and conservation, healthy, local foods, environmentally responsible renewable energy production and nutrition programs. We have a lot of work to do, but with your help it is possible.
If you’d like to learn more about the efforts of AFT go to: American Farmland Trust: Saving the Land that Sustains Us
A Napa Oak Overlooks Vines (image courtesy of Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group)
The Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group was formed in 1995 to promote integrated pest management practices in Napa County, California. The mission of the Group is to identify and promote winegrowing practices that are economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sound.
Specifically, the Group promotes viticultural land stewardship through educational outreach to:
• Optimize ecological stability and winegrape productivity and quality by understanding and emulating natural processes such as biodiversity, carbon and nutrient cycling, and plant-soil interactions.
• Reduce pesticide inputs through cultural practices, biological control, and use of alternative materials.
• Promote soil health through erosion control, reduced tillage, soil analysis, and the amendment of soils with cover crops and compost.
• Enhance returns on investment by promoting the value-added nature of sustainable winegrapes along with terroir and increased vineyard longevity.
The Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group is comprised of members representing Napa winegrape growers, vintners, and local government and educational organizations. The Group represents over 25,000 acres of farmed vineyard land and over 20,000 acres of un-farmed/wild land as of March 2007.
In a 5-part podcast interview, American Feast's Doug Ferber has a talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group to learn more about their important work.
To listen to Part 1 click on: A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 1
To listen to Part 2 click on: A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 2
To listen to Part 3 click on:
A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 3
To listen to Part 4 click on:
A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 4
To listen to Part 5 click on:
A Talk with the Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group Part 5
Terra Cafe (photo by Kris Qua, courtesy of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
Written by the Polytechnic Institute/Office of Media Relations
The popularity and taste for a new and original fare choice has made its way onto the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. In an effort to please the palates of socially conscious students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding community, the Terra Cafe is dishing up a weekly selection of local and organic meals, desserts, and beverages every Wednesday afternoon in the Russell Sage Dining Hall.
The brainchild of Ella Braco, a native of Binghamton, N.Y., the student-run cafe had a test run last spring in Mother’s Wine Emporium in the Rensselaer Union with support from EcoLogic, one of the Rensselaer Union environmental clubs. Braco and several students worked with Jackie Baldwin, culinary director with Sodexho Campus Services, to develop a menu for the cafe.
“I have always been interested in the fresh taste of locally grown and organic foods, and I wanted other students and members of the campus community to have a similar experience,” says Braco.
Braco is a junior majoring in Design, Innovation, and Society, a program that prepares students to design new products, services, and media while considering the social needs and environmental concerns of the 21st century. Following the success of the initial launch, she used the idea as part of a class project to develop a business plan in the Product, Design, and Innovation course.
“Since I was really little, I always wanted to open a cafe,” says Braco. “The idea of establishing a cafe on campus seemed like a good opportunity to bring students, faculty, and staff together in a more s | |
