Compost medium cuts black
root rot in strawberries
Strawberry plants grown in compost-filled mesh tubes,
or “socks,” had significantly less chance
of getting black root rot, a severe threat to yields,
than plants grown directly in infested soils in an Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) study. The compost socks lay
on top of the infested soil.
No methyl bromide or any other soil fumigant was used
in the study, since they have become too costly for
many small growers and non-chemical alternatives are
being sought. The sock plants yielded 16 to 32 times
more fruit than those from the conventional "matted
row" or black plastic mulch systems when grown
in infested soil with no soil treatment.
Details
Biotech rice gene
escape a mystery, university research lab suspected
A year-long inquest has failed to reveal exactly how
genes from a genetically altered strain of rice ended
up in other rice throughout the southern United States’
rice growing areas in recent years. An investigation
suggests the escape may have happened early this decade
at a university research laboratory.
A yearlong U.S. Department of Agriculture investigation
found that the genetically engineered rice, which was
not approved for human consumption, was grown at a corporate-funded
laboratory at Louisiana State University alongside commercial
strains of rice that were cross-pollinated and eventually
made their way into the food supply.
The FDA subsequently approved the rice for human consumption,
but not before the contamination negativelyimpacted
rice prices and many farmers. The USDA has decided not
to punish the company, citing a lack of evidence.
Full
story
2006
story: Firm Blames Farmers, 'Act of God' for Rice Contamination
USDA head forecasts happy
ending to ethanol/food price turmoil
Addressing the Consumer Federation of America at the
end of last month, acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck
Conner said that despite short term difficulties, farmers
are responding to rising commodity demands by adding
acreage and boosting yields.
"Higher corn prices are not the only or even,
I would argue, perhaps the most important factor in
higher prices of certain retail food items," he
said.
Conner said the market will eventually sort out the
best way to use our resources, from high-priced oil
to the price of corn and wheat at historic highs. "It
is moving faster, I believe, than the experts can keep
up with their forecasts. And if you believe—as
I do—in the power of markets to put resources
to their best use, you should be very encouraged by
the signs we see of vibrancy and growth in this market."
Full
story
Food co-op to
buy, operate Gardens of Eagan
The Wedge, a Minneapolis-based natural and organic
food cooperative, has bought the well-known farm of
Martin and Atina Diffley for $1.5 million. The company
said that Linda Halley would become Gardens of Eagan's
manager. Halley is a 2003 Farmer of the Year and 20-year
veteran of farm management in Wisconsin and southern
California.
In a statement, the Diffleys—Martin is 57 years
old and Atina is 47—said they didn't want to keep
farming "into their senior years" and that
their children didn't want to take over. The co-op will
broaden its outreach through internships, tours and
other learning opportunities to help people better understand
organic farming. The Wedge, a customer of the farm,
will continue working in cooperation with the farm’s
other existing accounts.
Full
story
Article helps organic
farmers improve disaster readiness and recovery
"Disaster Readiness and Recovery: Legal Considerations
for Organic Farmers" is a booklet that helps organic
farmers prepare for, weather and recover from a range
of natural disasters. The 44-page article by the Farmers’
Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) is a part of its on-going
information support tool, Farmers’ Guide to Disaster
Assistance.
The article concludes with information about how natural
disaster- and disaster-recovery may affect farmers’
organic certification, and includes descriptions of
how federal policy needs improvement to more equitably
meet the needs of organic producers.
FLAG is a nonprofit law center in St. Paul, Minnesota,
dedicated to providing legal services to family farmers
and their rural communities in order to help keep family
farmers on the land.
Free
download
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