20100713 agchat ag sustainability opinion

Leonardo Academy has launched a fundraising campaign to support the continued development of the American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture. The goal of the standard is to provide guidance for continuous improvement in sustainable agriculture practices, as well as a basis for clear communication between buyers and sellers on the sustainability profile of agricultural products. The initial phase of the standard development process focuses on the production of agricultural goods within the farm gate. Additional components of the agricultural supply chain will be addressed in subsequent modules.

Leonardo Academy has launched a fundraising campaign to support the continued development of the American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture. The goal of the standard is to provide guidance for continuous improvement in sustainable agriculture practices, as well as a basis for clear communication between buyers and sellers on the sustainability profile of agricultural products. The initial phase of the standard development process focuses on the production of agricultural goods within the farm gate. Additional components of the agricultural supply chain will be addressed in subsequent modules.

Food CEO provides objective leadership, independent information, and education to organizations that deliver healthy and sustainable food to consumers through retail and food service operations. To provide support for family farms and independent food processors incorporating organic or low-input production methods, sensitive packaging, and local or regional distribution networks, Food CEO collects, organizes, and analyzes news, comments on the activities of all members in the organic and sustainable food chain, and provides access to published resources and educational opportunities.

Food CEO provides objective leadership, independent information, and education to organizations that deliver healthy and sustainable food to consumers through retail and food service operations.

To provide support for family farms and independent food processors incorporating organic or low-input production methods, sensitive packaging, and local or regional distribution networks, Food CEO collects, organizes, and analyzes news, comments on the activities of all members in the organic and sustainable food chain, and provides access to published resources and educational opportunities.

John Meek (JH Meek and Sons) has been using drip on a portion of his crops for three years now. For Meek, the pros of drip include higher yields and the opportunity to grow tomatoes on land that otherwise wouldn’t support them. Initially, he saw lower labor costs, but in the second and third years he began seeing higher labor costs as much of his drip tape needed patching.

John Meek (JH Meek and Sons) has been using drip on a portion of his crops for three years now. For Meek, the pros of drip include higher yields and the opportunity to grow tomatoes on land that otherwise wouldn’t support them. Initially, he saw lower labor costs, but in the second and third years he began seeing higher labor costs as much of his drip tape needed patching.

Eurofresh Farms products are all greenhouse grown, which greatly reduces land usage and is 10 times more productive than open field cultivation. Greenhouse growing ensures optimal environmental conditions and provides the perfect mix of nutrients for our plants, yielding the highest quality produce. Because our plants grow high on a wire, they are about three times denser than field grown tomatoes.

Eurofresh Farms products are all greenhouse grown, which greatly reduces land usage and is 10 times more productive than open field cultivation. Greenhouse growing ensures optimal environmental conditions and provides the perfect mix of nutrients for our plants, yielding the highest quality produce. Because our plants grow high on a wire, they are about three times denser than field grown tomatoes.

For the past many weeks continual updates on the Gulf oil spill have led headlines. The catastrophe has greatly affected the environment, and its impact has many consumers asking Why, how and what can be done? Although predictions on the conclusion of the Gulf oil spill cleanup were pushed back to fall, there is an alternative fuel that can help alleviate consumers’ worries and woes. Biodiesel, made from grown oilseeds, is an energy source that can benefit the environment and the economy. Nearly half of the biodiesel produced today comes from soybeans.

For the past many weeks continual updates on the Gulf oil spill have led headlines. The catastrophe has greatly affected the environment, and its impact has many consumers asking Why, how and what can be done? Although predictions on the conclusion of the Gulf oil spill cleanup were pushed back to fall, there is an alternative fuel that can help alleviate consumers’ worries and woes.

Biodiesel, made from grown oilseeds, is an energy source that can benefit the environment and the economy. Nearly half of the biodiesel produced today comes from soybeans.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul's backpedaling on ending farm subsidies puts him on a well-worn path, trod by many a politician. Much of the farm subsidy system is an insult to common sense and taxpayers. A mess of faulty incentives, it provides outlandish benefits to a relatively few huge operations — at the expense of small farms, beginning farmers and the environment. Yet — despite demands for reform from the right and left, from presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama — it's impervious to change.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul's backpedaling on ending farm subsidies puts him on a well-worn path, trod by many a politician.

Much of the farm subsidy system is an insult to common sense and taxpayers. A mess of faulty incentives, it provides outlandish benefits to a relatively few huge operations — at the expense of small farms, beginning farmers and the environment.

Yet — despite demands for reform from the right and left, from presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama — it's impervious to change.

The horrendous tale of an out-of-control government department crushing one young family's hopes and dreams; causing millions of dollars in financial damage; and leading to several job losses, a family break-up and a suicide.

The horrendous tale of an out-of-control government department crushing one young family's hopes and dreams; causing millions of dollars in financial damage; and leading to several job losses, a family break-up and a suicide.

We hear a lot today about the importance of “local” food and the revolution it offers to agriculture. I’ll claim to be a bit of an expert on the subject and offer my personal perspective. First, my wife loves to garden (about as much as I dislike it!). One of the few things I do get involved in is “ corn day”. We have a sweet corn patch, shared with my parents and sister, and corn day is a significant event.

We hear a lot today about the importance of “local” food and the revolution it offers to agriculture. I’ll claim to be a bit of an expert on the subject and offer my personal perspective. First, my wife loves to garden (about as much as I dislike it!). One of the few things I do get involved in is “ corn day”. We have a sweet corn patch, shared with my parents and sister, and corn day is a significant event.

Reality is, although many consumers do not realize this, those cattle in the feedlot were those cattle on the green pastures. And those cattle in the green pastures may one day be the cattle in the feedlot. It is the cycle of the cattle industry.

Reality is, although many consumers do not realize this, those cattle in the feedlot were those cattle on the green pastures. And those cattle in the green pastures may one day be the cattle in the feedlot. It is the cycle of the cattle industry.

Organic vs. “Conventional” dairy. Lately I’ve been reading some misconceptions, misleading information and just misinformation that’s been flying around the blogging world comparing the two. We are a "conventional" farm and I wanted to respond with true information regarding this subject.