Regenerative Farming News and Research

USDA organic conservation effort deadline March 12

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:57:58 -0500

For the second year in a row, organic and transitioning farmers are eligible for a special USDA initiative to encourage conservation practices on their lands. The 2010 Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative provides $50 million in organic support.

Producers have until March 12 to complete applications through their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

Indian organic cotton farmers fight back to find non-GMO seed for pure product

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:36:33 -0500

Despite Indian government attempts to make them use GMO-cotton seed, determined organic farmers are searching out organic seed to keep their production pure.

They need the support of organic cotton consumers to demand more supply-chain accountability in the wake of contamination of their crops with cheaper cotton from GMO varieties before it reaches the retail level.

Cotton is one of the heaviest users of pesticides, so organic cotton offers a much better , and biodiverse, way of life for small farmers.

Grass-farming explained in 2:43: Joel Salatin on-farm video

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:37:48 -0500

DiscoveryNews packed a lot of truth about multi-species grazing in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in a video featuring grass-farming super-advocate Joel Salatin.
Without tilling or planting for 50 years, his farm produces top-quality beef, pork, rabbit, turkey and chickens through a carefully choreographed pasture rotation. He notes this production system devotes no petroleum, machinery or time to planting crops. The animals harvest grass in place throughout the growing season, with enough left for the family to put up hay to get them through the winter.

California experiences growth of organic acreage and certified operations in 2009

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:19:35 -0500

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) observed an 8 percent growth in the number of certified organic farms and total organic acreage in the state in 2009. Despite the poor economy, farming operations certified by CCOF increased to 2,168 and amounted to 603,545 total acres.

CCOF, a nonprofit organization, credits continued growth in organics to producers who maintain organic farming practices for land and soil conservation and to consumers who have made purchasing organics a lifestyle decision because they demand sustainably grown healthy and nutritious foods.

Organic food sales strong in Europe; estimated at $50 billion for 2009

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:09:04 -0500

Organic sales in Europe increased between 2 and 6 percent over the past year and are expected to recover to pre-recession levels in 2010. Growth has varied by country, with consumers of nations hit hard by the recession, such as Spain and the United Kingdom, purchasing fewer organic products and switching to inexpensive alternatives.

Infestation hits first-year multi-variant tomato trial

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:40:40 -0500

Heirloom variety outlasts hybrids in test of cover crops, beneficial soil fungi, organic fertility and weed suppression.

By Miriam Gieske
Posted January 19, 2010

Farmers encouraged to use coal waste as fertilizer by EPA, USDA

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:14:08 -0500

Even as the federal government moves to draft a coal waste rule, "beneficial uses" of coal wastes are being promoted to farmers. Use of calcium-rich synthetic gypsum in coal wastes has tripled since 2001, increasing from 78,000 tons spread on fields in 2002 to around 279,000 tons last year.

Consumers continue purchasing organics despite poor economy

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:07:07 -0500

The market research firm Mintel reports that around 40 percent of consumers have continued purchasing organic products during 2009’s recession. Only 3 percent of survey participants have stopped purchasing organics for nonorganic choices. Higher costs of organic foods have not deterred consumers from spending more money on nutritious and healthy options.

13 Pennsylvania farmers funded to convert to organic

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:57:18 -0500

A mix of Pennsylvania vegetable, fruit, livestock and poultry farms, in a range of sizes and marketing types, have received funding in the new Path to Organic program, administered by the state’s department of agriculture.

The 13 farmers will track changes in soil carbon, soil health and water quality to document how their conversion to organic management techniques can help the state cut the flow of agricultural pollutants into the Chesapeake Bay while reducing agriculture’s contribution to climate change.

Ohio “dairy evangelist” takes on Big Dairy with flavor, freshness, pasture

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:17:35 -0500

An Ohio dairy engineer is on a crusade to put cows back on pastures and bring the flavor back to milk, to get consumers excited about milk once again.

His way of reaching higher customer satisfaction is to have his Snowville Creamery milk to be sold within 48 hours out of the cow, within eight hours from the dairy, unhomogenized (cream on top) and low-temperature pasteurized. He’s placed a processing plant on the farm of dairy producer Bill Dix in Pomery, Ohio.