It is always a bit of a shock when someone asks me if something -- apples, pigs, turkeys, you-name-it -- can be grown organically. I've heard the questions so many times over the years that it really should not be a surprise to me, but optimist that I am, I always think that I will never hear the question again. Why? Because every type of food can be grown organically. Prior … [Read more...]
Growing an Agrihood
Have you heard about agrihoods? I've seen this term popping up more and more recently. Short for "agriculture neighborhood," essentially, an agrihood is an urban or suburban neighborhood built around farms. Here's a video about one of the largest agrihoods in the country located in Ashburn, Virginia and another agrihood in Detroit. There are thought to be more than 200 … [Read more...]
Gene Editing vs. Genetic Modification
In recent years, consumers, food producers, policy makers, and other advocates have become more aware of the harms of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and calls for GMO labeling have become widespread. A technology which I believe is lesser known, but which also could have devastating consequences for food production, is “gene editing.” Though I had heard the term before, … [Read more...]
Book review: Soil Sisters
The holidays are coming up and Soil Sisters by Lisa Kivirist would be a perfect gift for any aspiring or experienced female farmer. One of the greatest features of this book is valuable stories and tips from the author as well as over 50 women involved in different aspects of sustainable agriculture. As Kivirist says (of women in the food system) “some farm, some cook, some … [Read more...]
Book review: The Year-Round Solar Greenhouse
This time of year, many vegetable growers are still trying to extend their growing season and others are gearing up to continue growing straight through the winter. In planning for my own vegetable production, I wanted to learn more about season extension and year-round growing techniques. I discovered The Year-Round Solar Greenhouse by Lindsey Schiller and Mark Plinke and … [Read more...]
Snapshot of Sustainable Agriculture Conference
I recently attended the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Sustainable Agriculture Conference in North Carolina. It was an outstanding three-day conference, which included workshops, delicious local food, farm and food policy discussions, a seed exchange, and tons of exhibitors. While the conference was focused primarily on sustainable agriculture in North and South … [Read more...]
Book review: The Market Gardener
The Market Gardener is such a thorough guide to commercial market gardening that at first I wondered why Jean-Martin Fortier would want to reveal all of his secrets to potential competitors. However, it becomes clear that Fortier simply wants this information to be as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. I think this reflects Fortier’s desire for small-scale … [Read more...]
Saving the family farm
If you want to be entertained while learning about modern agriculture, Gaining Ground: A Story Of Farmers' Markets, Local Food, And Saving The Family Farm by Forrest Pritchard is the book! In a laugh-out-loud funny story, we learn about the problems facing modern conventional farmers and farm owners who find themselves stuck in a system where they never make money. Warned … [Read more...]
Review: Fields of Farmers
Joel Salatin's latest book, Fields of Farmers: Interning, Mentoring, Partnering, Germinating, should be required reading for everyone who is interested in farming, even if they don't think they want to be a mentor or an intern. Many people have the mistaken idea that interns are merely free or cheap labor, which is a misconception that Joel repeatedly corrects throughout the … [Read more...]
Dealing with drought
Because more than half of the United States is currently in a drought, odds are good that the majority of people reading this are actually in that situation. I remember last year hearing about the people in Texas who were selling off their herds at rock bottom prices because they had no water, no pasture, no hay, and no grain. And my heart was really breaking as I watched … [Read more...]