Onward and Upward!
Organic farms are better for wildlife than those run conventionally, according to a study covering 180 farms from Cornwall to Cumbria.The organic farms were found to contain 85% more plant species, 33% more bats, 17% more spiders and 5% more birds.Scientists – from Oxford University, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the Centre for Ecology … Read more
The key question, at least in the near term, is to determine whether increased vitamin C and photosynthesis will result in greater crop yields.The harmful effects of smog on people and animals—the stinging eyes and decreased lung capacity—are the stuff of well-researched fact. Now, the body of knowledge about air pollution’s effects on plants has … Read more
A tremendous knowledge of tree crops has been amassed by many at great cost in time and energy . . . but is virtually unknown or unaccepted by contemporary farmers.There is no better example of this unfortunate situation than exists in a review of the life work of J. Russell Smith, tree-man par excellence. Smith … Read more
True costs of industrial food production system• 1 000 tonnes of water are consumed to produce one tonne of grain• 10 energy units are spent for every energy unit of food on our dinner table• Up to 1 000 energy units are used for every energy unit of processed food• 17% of the total energy … Read more
How to save $40 or more a year on the family food bill..by growing fresh, succulent salads right on your favorite windowsill! The “new, improved” hydroponic tank designed and built from odds and ends and a few purchased items. James Dekorne states that this—byfar—has been the most successful of his homebuilt windowsill hydroponic systems. “These … Read more
AeroGrow International, Inc. was founded in July of 2002 to develop and market the world’s first hydroponic kitchen-crop appliance for the mass-consumer market. Funded with $5 million of initial capital, it has 1 issued U.S. patent, 10 U.S. patents pending, and 2 pending international patent applications. The AeroGrow Kitchen Garden has been designed for the … Read more
South Pole inhabitants can now indulge on self-grown, fresh veggies, instead of living off canned and frozen cuisine. Gene Giacomelli, director of the controlled environment agriculture program, built a growth chamber that is currently producing lettuce and other goodies at the South Pole. He also works on another chamber that is planned to go to … Read more
While many of today’s rivers, lakes and groundwater reservoirs continue to be overexploited, a new report launched today by leading scientists at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development warns that unless steps are taken to improve the way water is managed, twice the world’s current water consumption may be needed by 2050 to feed … Read more
AGRICULTURE dominates land use and has a fundamental role in maintaining the countryside and protecting the environment. The development of intensive farming practices and the increased use of agrochemicals, which more than quadrupled food production last century, has resulted in potential environmental problems, which are being addressed by codes of good practice and a more … Read more
“Mad cow is telling us something,” Mike Eliason said. “I think mad cow is a wake-up call to say there’s a better way,” to raise and eat cattle.The cattle in Mike Eliason’s organic herd are raised on a chemical-free grass acreage. On his farm near Centerville, Eliason has been working on producing all-natural beef for … Read more