Organic News

Cuban organic farmers depend on soil health to feed crops as part of a biologically complex management approach.

Farmers say consolidation in the industry means they're forced to buy more costly seeds, and have virtually no other seed to buy but that from Monsanto. With most of both corn and soybeans crops being from genetically modified seed, what will continuing escalation of seed costs—promised by Monsanto to Wall Street—eventually do to food prices?

The number of hungry people in the United States is higher now than it has been at any other time in recent history. Communities, including those in Taos County, New Mexico, are turning to sustainable agriculture to increase food security.

A genetically modified cotton produced by Monsanto is failing to control its target pest, the pink bollworm, in four of nine Indian states where the cotton is grown, the company said last week. India has taken a more cautionary approach to GMO crops recently.

Cities in six states seek damages from Syngenta firms to pay for removal of atrazine herbicide from public water supplies. The European Union in 2004 banned use of atrazine, saying there was not enough information to prove its safety.

The First Lady is giving good food and healthy eating for all children a prominence it’s never had. Michelle Obama’s recent visit to a Philadelphia school—with the secretaries of Agriculture and the Treasury in tow—recognized success in expanding food access with the help of some highly involved students who are leading the way to healthier food for their peers.

When enough people “demand organic” food during their flights across North America, United Airlines listens. We look at what it took to connect ingredients from organic orchards, grain fields and pastures to the make healthy snacks now available on many flights.

The Cuban government has announced a project that promotes fruit, vegetable and livestock production in four mile-wide rings around 150 cities and towns within the country. It is hoped that the five-year initiative will rejuvenate Cuba’s agriculture and improve its economy.

Advisory board at work to help USDA use greater clarity to close loopholes, enforce the “access to pasture” requirement, says Rodale Institute’s Jeff Moyer. Read more

Dairy farmers have to think independently but act cooperatively, reduce input costs and support an equitable pricing system to survive in the continuing challenges of the sector.