From Dave Smith
Willie Nelson says “Take Action. Support a Better Farm Bill.” From Mother Earth News
Family farmers have always understood the direct connection between healthy soil, healthy food and healthy people — that’s why they take great measures to improve and protect their soil. The key to strengthening this fabric that holds our country together is to keep family farmers on this land, from coast to coast. It’s a solution to many of today’s most important concerns — climate change, fossil fuel dependence, childhood obesity and dwindling biodiversity. [This month], Congress will seal the next farm bill, legislation so broad in scope that it touches each of us in many ways. When you hear “farm bill,” think beyond the farm. Think food bill, renewable energy bill, nutrition bill, environmental stewardship bill, anti-hunger bill.
Take Action! Ask your Representative to make nutrition a priority in agriculture policy. (From Barbara Storper)
A great opportunity to invest in healthy food, a clean environment, and the future of small to mid-sized farms is drawing closer. As it does every few years, Congress will soon renew the “farm bill,” authorizing billions of dollars in agriculture-related programs this month. Decisions on how these billions are spent will largely determine the future of our food system. At present, most farm bill dollars go to relatively few large-scale, industrial-style operations that can pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Meanwhile, money is scarce for farmers and ranchers who practice more sustainable agriculture methods that reduce the negative external effects of farming. Passage of the farm bill represents an opportunity to turn away from outmoded programs and start investing in the agriculture of the 21st century. Write to your members of Congress today and demand that farm bill funding be redirected to a new generation of innovative farmers who sutainably raise high-quality food products while caring for our health and environment.
Organic School Lunch Program
Marin Organic acts as the liaison between the farmer and the schools, as a fiscal sponsor, as well as the distributor of these foods to the public schools. So far, over 50,000 pounds so far of local, certified organic products have been gleaned and delivered to participating schools, adressing 12,000 kids each week. These include: potatoes, winter squash, spinach, leeks, beets, carrots, arugula, lettuces, and yogurt.
Autism caused by IGF-1? (From Jeff Cox)
Conclusions: Children with autism/ASD had significantly higher levels of many growth-related hormones: IGF-1, IGF-2, IGFBP-3 and GHBP. These findings could help explain the significantly larger head circumferences and higher weights and BMIs seen in these subjects. (Also see Jeff’s earlier post: It May Be In Your Milk, and it May Be Doing You Harm)
Organotins and Obesity
A study published in the September 2006 issue of Molecular Endocrinology (Vol. 20, No. 9) linked organotins, a class of environmental contaminants, with excess weight gain and fat cell aberrations. Organotins are ingredients in many household products, including pesticides, and are persistent compounds found in low concentrations in most humans and animals. In the study with mice and frogs in vitro and in vivo, U.S. and Japanese scientists examined organotins for their endocrine-disrupting effects, implicated in contributing to weight gain and obesity.
Nutritional Plus for Organic Kiwi
A research team at the University of California at Davis has found organic kiwi fruit had much higher levels of total polyphenol content than conventional kiwi fruit, resulting in higher antioxidant activity than their conventional counterparts. Study results, published online March 27 in the peer-reviewed Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, also showed that organic kiwi fruit had higher levels of vitamin C. The kiwis studied were from nearby vineyards on the same farm in Marysville, CA. ~From The Omama Report.
Fear Everything?
I don’t want to instill a constant fear into my children about their food, but at the same time I want them to be aware that Aspartame is a cancer causing agent, that preservatives aren’t health foods, that partially hydrogenated oils are bad for you, and that processed MSG isn’t “natural” and never was.
Organic food helps revive fortunes of Europe’s farmers
In recent years, European consumers have shown themselves willing to pay more for organic produce, reflecting an aversion to chemicals and a growing preference for natural farming techniques over the high-intensity production that has been blamed for crises such as BSE and foot-and-mouth disease. Recognising this fact, Brussels will now provide higher levels of subsidy for organic farming, than that given to non organic fruit and vegetables.
Is eating fresh organic food worth it?
Despite the costs, Friedrichs believes more people would convert to organic foods like he did if they could experience the tangible benefits.
Greenergy pest control products (From Jeff Cox)
The Company’s commercial products are targeted at fruits, vegetables and selected row crops, are ideally suited to IPM practices, unlike most conventional insecticides, the compan’s products are non-toxic, leave no harmful residue and do not contaminate soil or groundwater according to the company. (For information only. No endorsement from OrganicToBe.com or its sponsor is implied and no fees were accepted for inclusion).
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Dave Smith is author of To Be Of Use and lives in Mendocino County, California.
Photo Credit: Mother Earth News - Sam Emerson/Getty Images
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