Ellen Sabina's blogshttp://www.justmeans.com/editorials/sustainable-food/427.htmlFri, 25 May 2012 00:27:40 GMThttp://www.justmeans.com en hourly 1http://www.justmeans.com/Bayview-Greenwaste-Lays-the-Foundation-for-Sustainable-Urban-Agriculture/45815.htmlFri, 25 Feb 2011 18:01:50 GMTEllen Sabina San Francisco isn't the only city in the U.S. in the midst of a sustainable urban agricultural revolution, but it's definitely one of the forerunners. Farmers and activists in the Bay Area are challenging zoning laws and regulations, planting seeds, shaking things up, and positioning themselves as a model for other urban gardeners to follow. It's an exciting time, and is enabled in no small way by innovative support fromprojects likeBayview Greenwaste. Bayview Greenwaste turns waste into free mu Read Full Article ]]> San Francisco isn't the only city in the U.S. in the midst of a sustainable urban agricultural revolution, but it's definitely one of the forerunners. Farmers and activists in the Bay Area are challenging zoning laws and regulations, planting seeds, shaking things up, and positioning themselves as a model for other urban gardeners to follow. It's an exciting time, and is enabled in no small way by innovative support fromprojects likeBayview Greenwaste. Bayview Greenwaste turns waste into free mulchwhich plays a keyrole inpowering urban gardening and greening in San Francisco.Bayview Greenwaste was founded in 1998. The company collects resident yard waste for a collection fee, grinds it into high-quality mulching material, and then gives it away for free! Mulch is particularly useful for fruit tree cultivation as well as for sheet-mulching. Sheet mulching involves spreading alternate layers of cardboard and mulch and other biodegradable, organic materials to build good soil on top of poor soil. Folks also use mulch for garden paths and to keep weeds at bay.To make sure their mulch is safe, Bayview Greenwaste regularly tests for hazardous chemicals like lead and monitors the temperature of the waste pile, to ensure that the pile is hot enough to kill any dangerous organisms. Because much of the mulch is being used to aid the production of food, it needs to be safe. Some of the area organizations and businesses that utilize the free mulch include school garden programs, edible landscaping companies, church gardens, organizations growing food for the hungry, private urban gardeners, among others.Bayview Greenwaste employs a simple yet innovative strategy: by slightly diverting the yard waste stream, they are able to not only make a profit but re-purpose the waste into a valuable product that they then give away for the good of the city. Seems like a pretty sweet and sustainable business model to me!photo credit: silly smells]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Mars-Attempts-Sustainability-on-the-Big-Scale/45703.htmlThu, 24 Feb 2011 16:15:20 GMTEllen Sabina (Hear what Mars has to say for themselves at the Certification, Consumption, and Change Conference, on April 5th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. To find out more about the conference, go to: http://www.justmeans.com/pages/Washington-DC. )I tend to focus on sustainable food on the grassroots level: community supported agriculture, farmer's markets, and the like, are small and manageable, and often more apt to be truly sustainable. When businesses get bigger, they sometimes lose the Read Full Article ]]> (Hear what Mars has to say for themselves at the Certification, Consumption, and Change Conference, on April 5th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. To find out more about the conference, go to: http://www.justmeans.com/pages/Washington-DC. )I tend to focus on sustainable food on the grassroots level: community supported agriculture, farmer's markets, and the like, are small and manageable, and often more apt to be truly sustainable. When businesses get bigger, they sometimes lose the closed loop sustainable focus, and as they grow (and surely, growth is a good thing) companies can also grow less sustainable. However, the reality is that the world isn't and can't be made up of lots of little micro businesses. Our economy is structured around major companies and we should encourage even these companies to be as sustainable as they can possibly be, recognizing that we can all play a part in creating a more sustainable food system. There's work to be done, and big companies often have much more sway and influence (i.e. money) to make cool things happen. Take Mars for example:The Mars Corporation is big. Really big. Their brands can be found all over the globe, and include a cast of ubiquitous and familiar faces: M&Ms, Twix, Snickers, Dove Chocolate, Uncle Ben's Rice, Juicy Fruit, Extra, and Orbit. They also happen to be a leading pet care company and boast three billion-dollar pet food brands: Whiskas, Pedigree, and Royal Canin. At first glance these are not what I would think of as strikingly sustainable foods or brands (especially when considering the use of highly processed ingredients and negative nutritional value of most of these products.) But one can't be too critical, because Mars has taken many strides towards making their very conventional and classically unsustainable products better, and that's noteworthy. In other words, it would be easy for Mars to pay no attention whatsoever to "sustainability" and continue their business as usual, but they haven't.According to their compnay website, Mars defines sustainability as contributing positively to the environment and local communities that Mars is connected to, recognizing that future economic success of the company is directly connected to the sustainability of resources and people. The company's Five Principles are Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom--all of which they connect to the broad definition of Sustainability put for by the U.N. World Commission's 1987 statement that sustainability means "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."This all sounds rather vague and lofty, but Mars does provide some examples of how they attempt to become more sustainable. Most of the sustainability initiatives are focused on cocoa production. Obviously, Mars has a vested interest in helping to keep cocoa production strong and viable. Mars is dedicated to cocoa research to breed disease resistant plants and integrated pest management methods, encourages "good farming practices." On the socially responsible end of sustainability, Mars has worked to bring together global and local stakeholders in cocoa-producing West Africa to work towards better labor standards and healthier cocoa communities.These actions, though they remain somewhat behind many other companies (for example, we would be more assured of Mars' commitment to social responsibility if their cocoa was certified by Fair Trade USA), but it is still worth noting that a major food company like Mars is at least incorporating some sustainability principles and goals into their global business, and its consumers should encourage them to keep on the path to a more wholly sustainable business.photo credit: boston transplant]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Fair-Trade-on-the-Table/45574.htmlTue, 22 Feb 2011 18:59:07 GMTEllen Sabina (Fair Trade USA will be featuredat the Certification, Consumption, and Change Conference, on April 5th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. To find out more about the conference, check out: http://www.justmeans.com/pages/Washington-DC)Fairtradeproductsrepresent one of the fastest growing sectors of the food industry, thanks in no small part to Fair Trade USA, a non-profit third-party fair trade certifier. Fair Trade USAecourages sustainable developmentall over the world by working with Read Full Article ]]> (Fair Trade USA will be featuredat the Certification, Consumption, and Change Conference, on April 5th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. To find out more about the conference, check out: http://www.justmeans.com/pages/Washington-DC)Fairtradeproductsrepresent one of the fastest growing sectors of the food industry, thanks in no small part to Fair Trade USA, a non-profit third-party fair trade certifier. Fair Trade USAecourages sustainable developmentall over the world by working with farmers and businesses to ultimately strengthen local economies, communities, and environments that would otherwise be victim to the perils of conventional agricultural production. It's a big issue, and Fair Trade USA is taking giant steps towards making the global agriculture scene more just.So much of the food we eatis grown indeveloping countries, where farmers and workers have minimal rights and limited access to resources. This is particularly true when it comes to the specialty foods we can't seem to live without,most notablycoffee and chocolate. Fair Trade USA works with farmers on one end, helping them tocreate a morewholly sustainableproduction system, but also aimsto educate consumers. By growing more consciousconsumers who demand responsible products, Fair Trade USA hopes to help bring about a shift in the way that companies do business.Shifting the way we think about buisiness will allow industry to be both profitable and competitive while also helping to restore the environment andadhere to social responsibility.photo credit: public domain]]>http://www.justmeans.com/US-Ethanol-Production-Raises-Food-Prices-and-Deters-Sustainable-Agriculture/45142.htmlFri, 18 Feb 2011 13:36:06 GMTEllen Sabina Industrial corn production is a thorn in the side of sustainable agriculture in the US, hand in hand with CAFOs, soybeans, and other heavily subsidized, heavily chemicalizedand mechanized agricultural sectors. As it is most commonly produced, corn is basicallythe antithesis to sustainable agriculture. This is perhaps even more true now that a significant portion of industrial corn is grown for ethanol production, contributing to the rising price of food.The US is the largest producer of corn in Read Full Article ]]> Industrial corn production is a thorn in the side of sustainable agriculture in the US, hand in hand with CAFOs, soybeans, and other heavily subsidized, heavily chemicalizedand mechanized agricultural sectors. As it is most commonly produced, corn is basicallythe antithesis to sustainable agriculture. This is perhaps even more true now that a significant portion of industrial corn is grown for ethanol production, contributing to the rising price of food.The US is the largest producer of corn in the world, however the type of corn grown in industrial agriculture, and for ethanol, is not the same kind of sweet corn we eat off the cob. Field corn needs to be processed and broken down to become edible, and is made into high fructose corn syrup and the many other additives and fillers that characterize the majority of our food. It is also used in the feed that fattens most of the meat we eat. Since 2006, US policies have used tax creditsto pour more and morecorn intoethanol production. Today 39% of US produced field corn is made into ethanol.While ethanol is supposed to help provide an alternative to oil consumption, the production of field corn ironically requires lots of petroleum-based inputs.In addition, because more corn is being diverted to ethanol, theprice of corn is on the rise, and as a result, theprice of meat, dairy, eggs,and all the other millionsof corn-based products are also going up.Industrial corn that feeds the meat and processed food industries isn't at all sustainable to begin with. But the subsidization and tax credit policies that are in place for corn for ethanol production are even less so. It's not a black and white situation, and certainly we do need to find and encourage alternatives to oil. But the utilization of industrial corn for ethanol production takes us further down the rabbit hole, into a quagmire of unsustainable agriculture that contributes to global foodinsecurity. The more our government uses taxdollars tosupports and provide padding for unsustainable agriculture, the tougher it willbe to crawl out of the mess of industrial corn and get back on track.photo credit: the food illusion]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Seattle-Leads-the-Way-Towards-National-Sustainable-Food-Policy/45012.htmlWed, 16 Feb 2011 13:22:08 GMTEllen Sabina When it comes to national food policy, the Farm Bill is arguably the most impactful and important piece of legislation. The Farm Bill spans all things food and farm--from nutrition assistance programs to food safety, rural development and conservation to trade policy. It's all there, and it's all upfor grabs in 2012. Sustainable food and agriculture advocates are clamoring for change, and likewise the City of Seattle has organizeda list of principles they hope to see in the revised Farm Bill. Li Read Full Article ]]> When it comes to national food policy, the Farm Bill is arguably the most impactful and important piece of legislation. The Farm Bill spans all things food and farm--from nutrition assistance programs to food safety, rural development and conservation to trade policy. It's all there, and it's all upfor grabs in 2012. Sustainable food and agriculture advocates are clamoring for change, and likewise the City of Seattle has organizeda list of principles they hope to see in the revised Farm Bill. Listen up Obama:The Seattle Farm Bill Principles were first initiated by the City Council Presidentas a part of theSeattle Local Food Action Initiative, and were compiled and signed by a group of11 stakeholders. The co-signers range from city government members to public health officials, farm owners and food purveyors. Their collaboration in and of itself makes a powerful statement about using a more holistic systems approach to farm and food policy, considering both the start up organic urban farmer and the urban planner and how their interests overlap. One of the main reasons for Seattle's proposed principles is the health and food security of city residents, which these founding co-signers see as inextricably connected to the health and promotionof sustainable agriculture.The Seattle Farm Bill Principles are written broadly to "support healthy farms, food, and people," and are broken down into six concisebullet points, demanding: A Health Centered Food System; Sustainable Agricultural Practices; Community and Regional Prosperity and Resilience; Equitable Access to Healthy Food; Social Justice and Advocacy; Systems Approach to Policy Making. For each heading the co-signers also provide lists of possible implementation strategies, which make the principles seem less lofty and more withinrange of attainability. If the 2012 Farm Bill were to adopt or incorporate the principles, it would be HUGE changes in our agriculture, food, and health systems. Is our government brave enough to really shake things up for the greater good?More cities and groups need to get their act together and put forth similar proposals. If any change is going to come at all, we need to rally for healthy, sustainable national food systems, for the sake of the health of all Americans. Check out Seattle's principles and reiterate to call for sustainable food and agriculture in your neck of the woods!]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Real-Time-Farms-Com-Connects-the-Dots/44831.htmlTue, 15 Feb 2011 16:47:48 GMTEllen Sabina In the sustainable food realm, it's all about connecting the dots and being able to trace where food comes from. The tag line of a new innovative website sums it up well: "Know your farmer. Find their food." Real Time Farms. Com aims to help folks do just that by building a virtual food hub linking local consumers to farmers, artisans, markets, restaurants and retailers that sell local, sustainable food.Real Time Farms.Com was just re- launched last week. It's the brainchild and project of a Mic Read Full Article ]]> In the sustainable food realm, it's all about connecting the dots and being able to trace where food comes from. The tag line of a new innovative website sums it up well: "Know your farmer. Find their food." Real Time Farms. Com aims to help folks do just that by building a virtual food hub linking local consumers to farmers, artisans, markets, restaurants and retailers that sell local, sustainable food.Real Time Farms.Com was just re- launched last week. It's the brainchild and project of a Michigan-based former Google Android developer, who after several years with Google decided to branch off and try his hand at starting a business that would support greater food transparency. In the spring of 2010, Real Time Farms was born, and after a summer of user feedback, it's been relaunchedto be moreuseful than ever in connecting the dots of a growing national sustainable food system.Part of the brilliance behind Real Time Farms, is that it is both local and national, as well as crafted by the players themselves, and tailored to each region. Website users can post pictures and descriptions of their farm, business, or, if they're a consumer, of their favorite places to go for locally sourced food. The website provides an information-rich format to explore you local food system, layering basic information with anecdotes and tips. It also uses interactive maps to map our your local food shed.Real Time Farms. Com provides a framework for producers and consumers to become more connected. The site not only provide a place for FREE farm/food business publicity, but also harnesses the power of the customer as a marketing tool. Fans and customers of a given farm can post pictures of produce or market stand, rave about a favorite cheese, and generate positivity around the farm, as well as around local food.Tools like Real Time Farms.Com are an increasingly important tool for farmers and sustainable foodies. By using a grassroots approach such innovative "databases" take advantage of the best that technology has to offer. Sign up as a farm and food lover or producer and download the Real Time Farms app.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Sustainable-Food-Starts-with-Organic-Seeds/44424.htmlFri, 11 Feb 2011 15:57:22 GMTEllen Sabina In the aftershock of Vilsack's GM Alfalfa decision, which poses a daunting threat to the integrity of sustainable agriculture, it is even more important to support the vitality of organic and sustainable seed companies. Without good seed, sustainable agriculture doesn't have much hope; seed is the foundation of our organic food system. Luckily, interest in organic seeds is on the rise and will hopefully provide enough support as sustainable agriculture forges ahead despite the hurdles presented Read Full Article ]]> In the aftershock of Vilsack's GM Alfalfa decision, which poses a daunting threat to the integrity of sustainable agriculture, it is even more important to support the vitality of organic and sustainable seed companies. Without good seed, sustainable agriculture doesn't have much hope; seed is the foundation of our organic food system. Luckily, interest in organic seeds is on the rise and will hopefully provide enough support as sustainable agriculture forges ahead despite the hurdles presented by GMOs.Currently there are only a handful, about a dozen, seed companies that deal exclusively with organic seeds in the U.S. and Canada. Another dozen companies advertise about 75 percent organic seed in their catalogues. And larger seed companies are catching on to the organic trend too, mirroring what's also happening in the grocery aisles. Organic is hot, and when it comes to seeds, it makes a world of difference.Organic seed comes from organic vegetables, and is untainted by pesticides and herbicides, as well as uncontaminated with genetically engineered traits. Advocates and developers or organic seeds, like the knowledgeable team at the Organic Seed Alliance, see seeds as a crucial piece of the food system puzzle, restoring the natural evolutionof plants, rebuilding and respecting the interrelationships between animals, plants, and humans.Increasingly, small scale organic seed companies and seed exchange groups are cropping up with a focus on developing regional seeds. These seeds might be native plants to a specific region, almost forgotten heirlooms, or just plants that do well in a specific microregion and climate. By growing seeds that are well suited and adapted to their specific area, farmers see better yields, stronger pest resistance, and other desirable qualities, all from purely sustainable, organic seeds!As you're pouring over seed catalogues or scrolling through seed websites, planning your spring garden, keep your eyes peeled for organic seeds. For guaranteed high-quality, organic seed, check out Johnny's Seeds, Fedco, High Mowing Seeds, and Uprising Seeds, to name just a few. Find out if there's a start up organic seed company or seed saver's exchange near you for sourcing LOCAL organic seeds! It doesn't get much better than that!photo credit: olygardener]]>http://www.justmeans.com/This-Valentine-s-Day--Love-Tastes-Like-Sustainable-Chocolate/44277.htmlWed, 09 Feb 2011 14:12:04 GMTEllen Sabina Visions of Valentine's Day conjure up images of decandent food andred wine, and of courselots and lots ofchocolate, in all forms. Traditionally, chocolate production is not very sustainable, inflicting scars on the environment and the people who live in cocoa producing regions of the world. However you can now find a growing number of chocolatiers who are concerned with both the people and places that produce cocoa and use sustainable practices to bring the very best and sustainable chocolate to Read Full Article ]]> Visions of Valentine's Day conjure up images of decandent food andred wine, and of courselots and lots ofchocolate, in all forms. Traditionally, chocolate production is not very sustainable, inflicting scars on the environment and the people who live in cocoa producing regions of the world. However you can now find a growing number of chocolatiers who are concerned with both the people and places that produce cocoa and use sustainable practices to bring the very best and sustainable chocolate to the market.When buying chocolate, there are a few key things to look for in order to ensure the sustainability of the bar. Perhaps the most well-known and apparent is the Fair Trade label. The Fair Trade movement supports sustainable development by connecting small farmers to global markets more directly, while also working to ensure that they are paid fairly for products like chocolate. Unfortunately, chocolatestamped with the Fair Trade label currently accounts for only 0.1% of the market.Fair Trade chocolate is often also grown in an environmentally sustainable way, as it supports small family farms versus large cocoa growing operations. Small farmers are encouraged to use organic agricultural practices that help to support the rain forest and biodiversity of cocoa regions. Other labels to lookfor on your chocolate of choice are the USDA Organic label, which certifies that the product meets US standards of organic production, and also the Rain forest Alliance logo, which sets standards for sustainable growing practices that help preserve water, soil, wildlife, and limit the use of agrochemicals.While there are a growing variety of sustainable chocolate companies out there, here's a list of my top 3, rated for their commitment to sustainable agriculture, environmental sustainability, sustainable development practices, and, of course, their complete deliciousness:1. Theo Chocolate isbased in Seattle andraises the bar by being certified Fair for Life by IMO, which means their entire supply chain is totally Fair Trade and equitable. Also organic and have a line of single origin bars.Check out their unqiue fantasy flavors like Fig, Fennel, and Almond, and Coconut Curry.2.Lillie Belle Farms Chocolatesin Oregonincorporates organic berries and flavors grown on site, like mint,raspberries, and lavander,while also sourcing chocolate and other ingredientsfrom responsible producers. Score some chocolate covered bacon for your special someone.3. Kopali Organics'claim is that their chocolates are SUPERGOOD because they're good for you, good for farmers and good for the earth. All of their chocolates are certified organic by the USDA and most are Fair Trade or approved by the Rain forest Alliance. And they have lots of exotic, fruit-filled flavors to choose from.This Valentine's Day, choose your chocolate wisely, and support sustainable agriculture and fair trade practices while indulging your loved one's tastes.photo credit: http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/02164/chocolate.htm]]>http://www.justmeans.com/New-Effort-in-Taiwan-to-Make-Raising-Pigs-More-Environmentally-Sustainable/44166.htmlTue, 08 Feb 2011 15:04:24 GMTEllen Sabina Pigs are not one of the most environmentally sustainable animals to raise in large numbers. The dreaded and still ubiquitous concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) run a-muck with hugepoolsof animal waste that seeps into local waterways and contributes to global climate change by releasing methane gas.While large livestock operations will likely never be great for the environment, new farm infrastructure and methods are being tested in Taiwan to raise pigs in a slightly more earth-friend Read Full Article ]]> Pigs are not one of the most environmentally sustainable animals to raise in large numbers. The dreaded and still ubiquitous concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) run a-muck with hugepoolsof animal waste that seeps into local waterways and contributes to global climate change by releasing methane gas.While large livestock operations will likely never be great for the environment, new farm infrastructure and methods are being tested in Taiwan to raise pigs in a slightly more earth-friendly and sustainable way.There's a lot about conventional methods for raising livestock that is decidedly unsustainable. Feed lots and other such large scale farms not only produce a lot of waste, but also use an incredible amount of resources. Animals eat lots of food (which is usually a mixof corn in various forms, miscellaneous fats, soy products, and sometimes antibiotics or other questionable additives), and need lots of water, but it's the by-product that really raises a stink and makes a significant contribution to pollution.In an effort to cut down on unpleasant odor while also tempering pollution, the Taiwanese government is encouraging pig farmers to install "toilets" in their pig pens. It sounds ridiculous, but the new twist on pen design seems to be making a difference. The "toilet" is quite basic: simply a section of iron bars in the corner of the floor in each pen. Pigs are trained to relieve themselves while standing over the bars so that waste is collected in one tidy spot, rather than slopped throughout the pen. To train the pigs, some feces in placed in the toilet area, while the rest of the pen is totally clean. The pigs will follow the smell of the excrement and eventually get the hint.The Taiwaneseministry of the environment estimates that they will save 180 millionliters of water per day with the new and improved pigpen design, water that would normally be used in cleaning the pens. The waste is also to be turned into valuable manure for other agricultural operations, made more valuable by the fact that it won't be as watery as it was previously. By diverting the pig waste and making it amarketable product, Taiwan is also helping to save their waterways and steer clear of the infamous CAFO manure swamps.To create more of an incentive for farmers, the Taiwanese government is providing financial assistance to farmers who agree to install pig toilets on their farm. While training pigs to use a toilet may be small potatoes in the grand scheme of large scale, conventional agriculture, more government agenciesshould be as proactive as the Taiwanese Ministry of the Environment.photo credit: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/air/images/pigs.jpg]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Searching-for-Sustainable-Seafood-There-s-an-App-for-That/43621.htmlThu, 03 Feb 2011 16:04:09 GMTEllen Sabina Finding sustainable seafood is no easy task, but thanks to Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, it just got a whole lot easier. Seafood Watch is responsible for the widespread pocket guide to seafood, and maintains a regularly updatedcomprehensive list of fish, rated on the sustainability of each species. Seafood Watch has now converted their pocket guide into a handy iPhone application, making it even easier for concerned consumers to stay informed and make sustainable food choices.Seafood Wa Read Full Article ]]> Finding sustainable seafood is no easy task, but thanks to Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, it just got a whole lot easier. Seafood Watch is responsible for the widespread pocket guide to seafood, and maintains a regularly updatedcomprehensive list of fish, rated on the sustainability of each species. Seafood Watch has now converted their pocket guide into a handy iPhone application, making it even easier for concerned consumers to stay informed and make sustainable food choices.Seafood Watch is one of several organizations that aims to bettereducate fish eaters about the global threat to many fish species. Their regional seafood guides separates fish into the categories of "Best Choices," "Good Alternatives," and "Avoid." These lists are generated according to variables like how the fish are harvested, threats posed by the fishery to the environment, the robustness of the population of the stock or species, the country of origin, and the levels of toxins present in the fish, among other stats.Thenew Project FishMap App for iPhones (the app willsoon to be available for other smartphones too) uses GPS technology and databases to go a few steps beyond the paper pocket guide. App users can not only easily access the pocket guide information about sustainable seafood, but can also contribute to a growing database tracking restaurants and vendors that offer more sustainable seafood options in a given region.In practice, if you're looking for the most sustainably sourced sushi in New York City, FishMap can help you find it in a flash. Furthermore, if you're in the midst of ordering sushi, you can use the app to check out the stats on the fish you're about to eat by searching either its English or Japanese name.Seafood Watch has quickly jumped on the bandwagon of smartphone technology, and is a prime example of how such technology can be used in yet another meaningful way. By making it quick and easy for consumers to access the information needed to make ethical and sustainable food choices, as well as encouraging app users to track ocean-friendly retailers and restaurants, smartphone apps are really putting sustainable food on the map.photo credit: blue eyed bride]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Community-Supported-Agriculture-Jumps-to-the-Next-Level/43598.htmlThu, 03 Feb 2011 15:13:31 GMTEllen Sabina There must be hundreds of iterations of the community supported agriculture model yet to be discovered. CSAs have become one of the most popular business models for small scale sustainable agriculture, since the model has a proven track record of economic sustainability as well. In urban areas, where farm land is scarce, several new farming companies are exploring fresh versions of the tried and true CSA model, bringing the farm to your backyard.In Portland, Oregon, the two-person farm crew at Y Read Full Article ]]> There must be hundreds of iterations of the community supported agriculture model yet to be discovered. CSAs have become one of the most popular business models for small scale sustainable agriculture, since the model has a proven track record of economic sustainability as well. In urban areas, where farm land is scarce, several new farming companies are exploring fresh versions of the tried and true CSA model, bringing the farm to your backyard.In Portland, Oregon, the two-person farm crew at Your Backyard Farmer create, plant, and tend backyard gardens for people all over the city. Each backyard garden is custom built according to the specific customer's family size and eating habits. With an artillery of soil amendments, simple irrigation system, transplants, and a little elbow grease, the farmers build a kitchen garden, check up on it once a week, and leave a weekly basket full of the garden harvest on the land owner's front step. And of course, it's all organic. For those customers who are interested in a more interactive gardening experience, Your Backyard Farmer also offers urban garden consulting and guidance. Their vision and business is a more direct approach to the CSA, the main difference being that rather than farming one consolidated piece of farmland, the Backyard Farmersessentially maintain and harvest from lots of little farms all over Portland.Similarsustainable agriculture businessesare sprouting up in Seattle too. The Seattle Urban Farm Company offers a variety of services that help people build, develop, and maintain their own urban farm. The projects range from installing rooftopgardens for restaurants, buildsschool gardens, andputting in raised beds for private companies, tobuildingbackyard chicken coops, goat pens, and teaching gardening classes.Seattle Urban Farm Company's services go beyond installation and they offer a full menu of maintenance and upkeep options, depending on how much a client wants to be involved. While they don't pick and deliver produce to your doorstep, they do offer weekly garden check ins to make sure that weeds and pests are at bay and plants are healthy. By helping people who are interested in growing their own food realize their goal through design,installation, and education, Seattle Urban Farm Co. is pioneering a new path in sustainable agriculture.If community supported agriculture has become a major part of what sustainable agriculture looks like today, backyard garden installation projects are an extension of that. By narrowing the gap even further and connecting consumers more closely--as close as their own backyard, in fact--to what they eat, these businesses are reaching for the next level of the CSA. As sustainable agriculture becomes more deeply rooted in our communities, we can expect to see more and more variations and riffson the "traditional"community supported model.photo credit: olygardener]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Three-Cheers-for-Sustainable-Cider/43289.htmlTue, 01 Feb 2011 18:41:53 GMTEllen Sabina There's a new revival afoot in the sustainable food realm. Traditional and no so traditionalhard ciders are making a comeback, reinvented by young farmers and orchard keepers. While microbreweries and wineries still strive to become wholly local, organic, and sustainable, cider could very well become the most sustainable alcoholic beverage out there, depending of course, on how it is made.The tradition of cider is similar to the European tradition of wine, in that ciders were often made from wha Read Full Article ]]> There's a new revival afoot in the sustainable food realm. Traditional and no so traditionalhard ciders are making a comeback, reinvented by young farmers and orchard keepers. While microbreweries and wineries still strive to become wholly local, organic, and sustainable, cider could very well become the most sustainable alcoholic beverage out there, depending of course, on how it is made.The tradition of cider is similar to the European tradition of wine, in that ciders were often made from whatever fruit was growing on the land, and fermented in a warm corner of the back barn. They were the epitome of local, capturing the unique wild yeasts of the immediate area during the fermentation process. Hard ciders were a very widespread and traditional beverage of choice throughout Europe, particularly in regions of France, Scandinavia, and the British Isles. Some of this tradition transferred in some way to North America, where the figure of Johnny Appleseed is credited with spreading cider cheer throughout the new land. Apple trees were grown for cider, and cider apples were not for eating.Geographic and regional areasdeveloped their own unique varieties of apples, which were entirely specific to that place.Today, apples have been paired down to only a handful (comparatively) of familiar varieties , most of which are meant to be sweet apples for eating. Those curious and bitter heirloom cider apples are much harder to find. But in hopes of reviving a quite forgottensustainable agricultural and cultural tradition, a growing number of farmers are producing traditional hard ciders for market. In the most sustainable and ideal scenario, the cider is made from apples from the producing farm or local area. Unlike beer, cider making does not require the addition of water (which is a big reason why beer will never be heralded as the most sustainable beverage). The juice from the fruit is mixed with yeast and perhaps some sugar, maybe some other juices from locally grown berries or fruits, and that's it, in a nutshell.The new wave of cider makers are experimenting with tradition to craft a more refined version of the age-old beverage, while catering to both adventurous beer drinkers and wine enthusiasts alike. Still, the basic premise remainsmore or less the same as it's always been.Ferment, bottle, drink. At a small scale, and with a little good old-fashion creativity, cider making can prove to be a very sustainable agricultural endeavor.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Are-GMOs-the-Answer-to-Global-Food-Security/43121.htmlThu, 27 Jan 2011 15:54:49 GMTEllen Sabina I want to preface this article bysaying that I'm playing the devil's advocate here. I personally don't believe that the proliferation of GMOs will provide a sustainable solutionto our global food issues, and don't present a responsible, environmentally sustainable option. But there are a lot of people out there who do think that the further development and widespread use of GMOs is the only way to address the food needs of the future. In the wake of food riots in Northern Africa and other areas, Read Full Article ]]> I want to preface this article bysaying that I'm playing the devil's advocate here. I personally don't believe that the proliferation of GMOs will provide a sustainable solutionto our global food issues, and don't present a responsible, environmentally sustainable option. But there are a lot of people out there who do think that the further development and widespread use of GMOs is the only way to address the food needs of the future. In the wake of food riots in Northern Africa and other areas, one is forced to think twice about the need for major innovation in food productionin response tothe mounting globalfood crisis.According to many scientists, researchers, and government representatives, a perfect storm is brewing that will result in a major global food shortage in the coming years (not to mention energy and water crises.) In a recent articlein the UK's Guardian, population expert Sir John Beddington said that in the face of such a crisis, we now have an ethical and moral responsibility to employ whatever technology available to tackle the issue and produce more food. He believes that GMOs hold the key to addressing such an issue. For instance, pest resistant crops are necessary to reduce the amount of food lost before harvest due to bug damage, a loss that we won't be able to afford in the future.While this familiar assertion that GMOs are absolutely key to the future of food and agriculture on a global scale is discouraging for many sustainable agiruclture advocates for various reasons, Beddington's arguement was heartening in other ways. He does not see GM crops as the only solution, but rather an important piece of the biggerpuzzle, justascrucial as changing our patterns of consumption, better protecting other food sources like fisheries, and sustainable conservation of the environment. It will need to be a wide array of approaches and methods to address such a multi faceted and far-reaching problem.This is a monster, and one that we can't ignore. Whether our leaders choose to take the GM route or are offered a better, more sustainable solution, we must figure out how to grow more food with less of an impact on the environment. Sustainable farmers: rise to the challange! Can we figure out ways to address both environmental and hunger needs using sustainable, non-GMO methods? It's a tall order, and will mean re-structuring and entire globabl food system (yikes!), but I think there just might bea chance!photo credit: chicagoist]]>http://www.justmeans.com/New-Food-Safety-Law-Demands-Traceability/43105.htmlWed, 26 Jan 2011 17:32:40 GMTEllen Sabina The new federal food safety lawis shakingup food regulation on many levels, not the least of which is food traceability. A piece of the newlaw requires thatevery piece of thecountry's food supply chain be accounted for. Everyone, from farmers to processors to retailers should be able toeasilytrace both who they sent a food product to and who they received it from. It sounds simple enough, but such comprehensive traceability hasn't been a very well regulated aspect of food safety in the past, but Read Full Article ]]> The new federal food safety lawis shakingup food regulation on many levels, not the least of which is food traceability. A piece of the newlaw requires thatevery piece of thecountry's food supply chain be accounted for. Everyone, from farmers to processors to retailers should be able toeasilytrace both who they sent a food product to and who they received it from. It sounds simple enough, but such comprehensive traceability hasn't been a very well regulated aspect of food safety in the past, but is increasingly important as food safety issues surface with more regularity.In order to track food products, companies and people involved in food supply will have to maintain all information in digital form. The digitized records will be more standardized and easily accessible, and some may even be accessed by the average consumer. As consumer concern and interest in the safety of their food grows, some supermarkets are employing smartphone technologies to get the scoop on products. Shoppers can simply wave their smart phone over an item and get the back story: where it came from, even who grew it. For interested consumers, traceability provisions may have the added bonus of greater transparency.Because the food supply chain in the US is often very long, and a product may change hands and forms ten times before it lands on your table, the FDA has had a difficult time tracking products. This is particularly problematic during a food-borne illness outbreak, as has been the case numerous times in recent years. With so many players, the FDA has trouble figuring out just where something went wrong.While this new traceability system sounds wonderful from a food safety standpoint, it may not be so wonderful for everyone involved, particularly the small farmers and processors. New regulations require new equipment, standards, and technology. This could be problematic and expensive for small-scalefarmers and producers, who often operate outside the realm of barcodes. Ironically, it is these very producers who are quite often the upholders of food safety and health to begin with, since their products changes hands only once or twice, from farm to fork.In any case, increasedfood traceability will prove to be a mjor shift in our food chain, and one that is being called for by consumers. As people are more wary of food borne illness, and more curious about where their food comes from, they want to be assured that such information can be accessed quickly and accurately. As the traceability system is put in place over the next years, it will be interesting to see how consumers utilize the information.photo credit: the punch]]>http://www.justmeans.com/CSAs-Crop-Up-in-China-in-Response-to-Food-Safety-Crisis/42966.htmlWed, 26 Jan 2011 15:56:14 GMTEllen Sabina Much like the US, but perhaps in more exaggerated ways,China has been dealing with food safety issues in recent years. The contamination and toxicity of food has Chinese consumers alarmed and skeptical, wary of what theybring home fromthe market. In fact, statisticsshow that up to 70 percent of Chinese citizens feel their food is unsafe. And while the government has promised to enforce more stringent food safety regulations, most government employeesand major companieshave food grown specificall Read Full Article ]]> Much like the US, but perhaps in more exaggerated ways,China has been dealing with food safety issues in recent years. The contamination and toxicity of food has Chinese consumers alarmed and skeptical, wary of what theybring home fromthe market. In fact, statisticsshow that up to 70 percent of Chinese citizens feel their food is unsafe. And while the government has promised to enforce more stringent food safety regulations, most government employeesand major companieshave food grown specifically and privatelyfor their offices in order to avoid any contamination issues, a sign that change won't be coming anytime soon.So what's the Chinese citizen to do, but take matters into her own hands? Such is the example set by one young Chinese farmer, featured in USA Today. She and other farmers are bringing the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) trend to China in response to feeling insecure with the government's lack of food safety regulation. Although the CSA trend is only just beginning to take hold, with a mere 40 CSA farms now operating in all of China, farmers have seen an amazing response from people who want to eat safe, healthy food.While vegetables and other produce purchased from a CSA in China is likely to be well above market price, farming isn't necessarily a lucrative business to get into. However those who do choose to farm feel an obligation to work against the environmental degradation, lack of safe food, and to sustain fellow citizens. It's also an obligation to help educate their community about protecting themselves and the environment. Chinese CSA farms are dedicated to growing without the use of pesticides and herbicides, which are too often found in scary quantities on conventional Chinese produce.It's encouraging to see that CSAs are spreading far and wide, and meeting the basics needs of people everywhere who want to eat healthy, safe food. As our global food systems grow more and more out of our control and industrial, CSAs and sustainable agriculture become more and more necessary. While it is true that we (and China) need much better regulations to keep toxics out of things like baby formula and provide more traceability, there is also a more people-driven,grassroots response to food safety, as manifested in organic CSA farms.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/How-to-Combat-Suburbia-to-Save-Sustainable-Agriculture/42831.htmlFri, 21 Jan 2011 10:09:28 GMTEllen Sabina This isn't anything new: suburban sprawl and residential development is eating up land that was onceviable farm land, and poses a serious threat for the growth of sustainable agriculture. recognizing this, some suburban communities are taking action against residential zoning and development that takes away valuable and revive-ablefarm land.In the news most recently,residents of the(not very) little town of Monroe, Connecticut are trying to fight back against development to save land for agricul Read Full Article ]]> This isn't anything new: suburban sprawl and residential development is eating up land that was onceviable farm land, and poses a serious threat for the growth of sustainable agriculture. recognizing this, some suburban communities are taking action against residential zoning and development that takes away valuable and revive-ablefarm land.In the news most recently,residents of the(not very) little town of Monroe, Connecticut are trying to fight back against development to save land for agriculture. Monroe sitson the edge of urban sprawl and has not-so-slowly been overrun with high-end housing developments and all the accoutermentsof suburban life. The setting of today's scene is a familiar one: Monroe was once a small town with abundant farm land and active, healthy farms. Over the years the number of farms has decreased dramatically, as the town became a home for city commuters and services. Today the few farms that do exist struggle to keep their land and there is very little chance that new farms can sprout up in the midst of McMansion lots. Land that was once zoned as "residential and farming" has been slimmed to only "residential." Existing farms, and the potential for futuresustainable agriculture endeavors is all but squeezed out of Monroe.However Monroe, like many towns across the country, sees benefit in retaining some semblance of its long agorural character, and recently updated its development plan to prove it. Theupdated plan will hopefullyprime the town for a new proposed ordinance: "the right to farm." In order to better balance rural and suburban co-existence, this ordinance aims to protect small farms, making it more comfortable for farmers to invest in their businesses, as well as encourage the establishment of new farms. Currently many farmers face complaints from residents who are bothered by everyday farming activities, as well as being very vulnerable to residential developers.Similar "right to farm" ordinances are already in place in a handful of communities across the country, and it is especially important for towns like Monroe, that are quickly being consumed by symptoms of sprawl to enact such policies. Smart town planning and zoning makes a huge difference in the future of sustainable agriculture. We want local food and agriculture to be integrated and supportedin our home communities, and securing land for farming is absolutely fundamental to the cause.photo credit: olygardener]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Wal-Mart-Announces-Plan-to-Push--quot-Healthy-quot--Foods/42828.htmlThu, 20 Jan 2011 16:31:19 GMTEllen Sabina Today the nations largest retailer, Wal-Mart, will announce its plan to revamp its line of food products in an effort to provide more healthy food options.Wal-Mart's five year plan aims tolower the amount oftrans fats, sodium levels, sugars present in their packaged foods, as well as make Wal-Mart's selection of produce more affordable for customers. First Lady Michelle Obama is supporting Wal-Marts healthy food initative, which is aligned with the goals of her campaign for healthy kids and fami Read Full Article ]]> Today the nations largest retailer, Wal-Mart, will announce its plan to revamp its line of food products in an effort to provide more healthy food options.Wal-Mart's five year plan aims tolower the amount oftrans fats, sodium levels, sugars present in their packaged foods, as well as make Wal-Mart's selection of produce more affordable for customers. First Lady Michelle Obama is supporting Wal-Marts healthy food initative, which is aligned with the goals of her campaign for healthy kids and families. While many sustainable food advocates are wary of Wal-Mart, the new plan could make a big difference in the waythemajority ofAmericans eat.Wal-Mart is the leading seller of groceries in the U.S., as well as thebiggest purchaser of food products from major food companies like Kraft. While Wal-Mart's plan most clearly addressestheunhealthiness ofits own line of packaged foods, Wal-Mart will also exert pressure on its suppliers to revise their products. Because of its size and influence in the market, Wal-Mart stands in a very powerful position and could really lead the way in reevaluating the nutritional quality of processed, packagedfoods.And because of Wal-Mart's success, they have the ability to absorb potential loss when they lower the price of fresh produce, rather than force farmers to sell at rock bottom.In terms of creating more healthy food products, Wal-Mart has pledges to lower the sodium content of its Great Value line by25 percent,totally eliminate the use of trans fats, and reduce sugar content by 10 percent. While these goals represent a big step in the right direction, Wal-Mart could probably do a lot more to make their products more healthy. One concern, however, and the reason for the slow, five year implementation, is that customers will be turned off to the new and improved foods. Reducing additives like sodium can have a major effect on the taste and flavor of the food, and customers who are accustomed to eating canned soups and other products traditionally high in sodium might not want to adjust their taste.Other aspectsofWal-Marts grand plan,whichwere developed with andencouraged by the First Lady, include building supermarkets in rural and urban food deserts andmonitoring the company's efforts with public progress reports prepared by The Partnership for a Healthier America.While Wal-Mart's announcement certainly seems positive, and is in many ways, those of us who are concerned with access to healthy sustainable food should take their initiative with a grain of salt. There are still many unknowns and many reasons to be wary of Wal-Mart. In truth it seems that Wal-Mart is merely making its food a little less unhealthy and a bit cheaper. Perhaps nowWal-Mart's retailemployees, many of whom are paid such low wages that they qualify for food assistance, can now afford a few fresh vegetables.]]>http://www.justmeans.com/L-A--Makes-Room-for-Healthy-Food/42763.htmlThu, 20 Jan 2011 14:08:21 GMTEllen Sabina In South Los Angeles, healthy food options are a bit scarce. Fast food joints, on the other hand,litter nearlyevery corner,advertising hot deals on burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and tacos to go. But part of a public health campaign to address obesity issues in the city has fought to counteract the proliferation of fast food, and just last month, finallywon. Los Angeles has just enacted a radical set of food policies and regulations that effectively ban the building of any new, free-standing f Read Full Article ]]> In South Los Angeles, healthy food options are a bit scarce. Fast food joints, on the other hand,litter nearlyevery corner,advertising hot deals on burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and tacos to go. But part of a public health campaign to address obesity issues in the city has fought to counteract the proliferation of fast food, and just last month, finallywon. Los Angeles has just enacted a radical set of food policies and regulations that effectively ban the building of any new, free-standing fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles. South Los Angeles is a section of the city that has alarmingly high rates of poverty and obesity compared to other parts of LA. The hope is that different, more healthy food options will crop up in place of future fast food joints. LA's public health advocates are pushing for more fresh food, grocery stores with ample produce sections, sit-down family restaurants, and take-out salads torepopulatethe veritable food desert.While the regulations do ban any new, stand alonefast food restaurants, they won't spell an end to the current plethora of fast food in South LA. Established restaurants will remain open, and exceptions are made for restaurants that open inside shopping malls, as well as smaller,locally ownedrestaurants that serve unhealthy, fast food. Fast food will not be vanishing from the neighborhood, and it will certainly still be a predominant option for residents. However by limiting fast food expansion, supporters hope to see an influx of healthy food options.Policy decisions like this ban are controversial, and often seen by proponents as an effort to control what people choose to eat. However its seems as though the opposite could be true as well: that this type of food policy actually increases the number of choices that people in a certain neighborhood or area have, and simply presents the option of eating more healthy foods in a place that lacks easy access to such choices. photo credit: olygardener]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Wikileaks-Reveals-US-Supports-GMOs-and-Counteracts-Sustainable-Agriculture-Abroad/42655.htmlSun, 16 Jan 2011 20:58:58 GMTEllen Sabina One of the many US embassy cables recently made public via Wikileaks chronicles conversations around sustainable food issues, specifically the use (or, rather, lack there of) of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in European agriculture. While it is well-known that the biotech seed giants like Monsanto have a hefty amount of sway in the political realm, the leaked correspondence proves just how influential such companies are on a global scale. Most European nations have adamantly resisted fal Read Full Article ]]> One of the many US embassy cables recently made public via Wikileaks chronicles conversations around sustainable food issues, specifically the use (or, rather, lack there of) of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in European agriculture. While it is well-known that the biotech seed giants like Monsanto have a hefty amount of sway in the political realm, the leaked correspondence proves just how influential such companies are on a global scale. Most European nations have adamantly resisted falling into the GMO trap, and while they keep abreast of GMO technology in the research setting, in practice they definitely steer towards more sustainable agriculture and organic food production. Countries such as Austria and France in particular have rejected the presence of GMOs even in their imported food. Not surprisingly, big biotech and, by extension, U.S. interest, is not terribly thrilled with the fact that much of Europe is so set against GMOs.The problem with European countries restricting and heavily regulating GMOs basically boils down to the fact that as a result, US food companies can't sell their products in Europe. It also means that biotech companies like Monsanto can't sell their technology and seeds. Currently Spain and Poland are the only two European Union countries buying and using GMO crops. Wikileaks revealed that two U.S. Senators, Republicans Charles Grassley from Iowa and John Thune from South Dakota, encouraged Spanish officials to exercise their influence in Brussels in an attempt to persuade other EU nations to ease up on GMOs.Hopefully the rest of the EU won't change their zero-tolerance policy for GMOs anytime soon, and will continue to uphold more sustainable agriculture even in the face of pressure from the US government and powerful US companies. However it is disheartening to know that the US government is so actively peddling genetically modified agriculture abroad, rather than embracing more sustainable food. Perhaps even more disheartening than the cables revealing EU correspondence, are several other cables that expose the US government's intentions to proliferate the use of GMOs in Africa and Pakistan. Unlike Europe, these regions struggle with hunger and agriculture, and the injection of "miracle" GMOs could actually garner good press for Monsanto and other such companies, while expanding their markets. But GMOs under the guise of "aid" won't help these regions build more healthy, sustainable food and agriculture systems.What the Wikileaks cables reinforce is that GMOs and the government's support of GMOs is suspicious, and certainly is not supportive of building sustainable food and agriculture. Rather the pressure to use GMOs imposed by US government representatives is a direct effort to support giant biotech business and not just goodwill.photo credit: Women in Europe for a Common Future]]>http://www.justmeans.com/Worldwatch-Institute-Reports-Innovations-in-Sustainable-Agriculture/42596.htmlFri, 14 Jan 2011 17:25:12 GMTEllen Sabina Recently the Worldwatch Institute released its 2011 State of the World Report, Nourishing the Planet, which focuses on global examples of innovations in sustainable agriculture and food systems. The report highlights innovation projects around the world, focusing specifically on examples that feature urban farming, are combating climate change, and reducing or preventing food waste. The 15 projects in Nourishing the Planet show particularly exciting and inspiring trends that Worldwatch hopes to Read Full Article ]]> Recently the Worldwatch Institute released its 2011 State of the World Report, Nourishing the Planet, which focuses on global examples of innovations in sustainable agriculture and food systems. The report highlights innovation projects around the world, focusing specifically on examples that feature urban farming, are combating climate change, and reducing or preventing food waste. The 15 projects in Nourishing the Planet show particularly exciting and inspiring trends that Worldwatch hopes to see replicated far and wide, both in the developing world and beyond.Much of the Worldwatch Institute's research, which is primarily concerned with the synthesis of the green economy, food and sustainable agriculture, and the climate and energy crisis, is conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers spent last year traveling around 25 African countries, visiting the places where hunger and agriculture are two of the most common characteristics, and earning about projects that bring hope to such areas. Almost 50 years after the Green Revolution, the global hunger problem is still extreme, with 239 million hungry in sub-Saharan Africa alone. However the projects like those picked up by Worldwatch vouch for innovative and unconventional agriculture, rather than another, similar Green Revolution, which clearly has not solved the issue of hunger. Most importantly, the innovations are often prime examples of sustainable agriculture that addresses rural and community development problems through a holistic approach, strengthening the economy, restoring the environment, educating citizens, and building community for the future.Not surprisingly, among the 15 featured projects were several school garden programs. In Uganda the Developing Innovations in School Cultivation program combines indigenous vegetable gardens, nutritional education , and food preparation into the curriculum. The goal of the program is not only to teach children how to grow indigenous crops and thereby help improve food security, but also with the intent to revitalize the country's unique traditional food culture. Furthermore, the students are encouraged to think of agriculture and farming as a respectable prospective career, and something that's vital to the future health of their country.Another highlight of the report is the role of traditional, pastoral-based people groups like Kenya's Masai in preserving Africa's biodiversity of plants and animals. This is particularly important in the wake of the Green Revolution and the monoculture specter that still looms large in many places. Projects that work to increase the land rights of the people who know the most about the importance of genetic biodiversity like the Masai are cropping up, such as the African LIFE Network. There are also major efforts to restore soil health as a means to increase production, versus developing new seeds that will have higher yields. Restoring the health of the soil aids in trapping carbon, as does agro-forestry and other innovative agricultural methods.Other examples of Africa's success in agriculture include collectives, farming opportunities for women, safe waste water irrigation, solar cooking, and rooftop co-operative farming. They are simple, low-cost, and effective in addressing both the root of the problem and the bigger picture. Additionally many of these are models that can be scaled up and adapted anywhere, from rural Southeast Asia to New York City. To learn more about the case studies and Worldwatch, find the link to the Nourishing the Planet policy briefs on their blog.photo credit: grant haynes]]>