We Don’t Need GE Crops But Africa Does
Robert Paarlberg argues that anti-science environmental groups and corrupt local governments deprive African farmers of the crops needed for progress.
Policy
Silence on Two Neonicotinoid Reports
The EU and member states are moving to ban neonicotinoid insecticides. But two recently released reports on the issue conclude that a ban would push farmers back to using pest control options that are worse for the environment and possibly for bees as well.
A U.S. Farm Bill Even a Butterfly Could Love?
Before there was a general understanding of the benefits of native vegetation and the risks of invasive plants — introduced species that outcompete other species, spread quickly and alter ecosystems — USDA had a hand in introducing foreign plants that proved aggressive. Long ago, the agency promoted kudzu for erosion control. Now it works to control invasive species and does not provide assistance for planting them. It also actively promotes the use of native species through some programs.
Revitalizing Main Street with Cooperatives
The intersection of Central and Lowry Avenues in northeast Minneapolis is bustling. On the northwest corner is a trifecta of local businesses: A bike shop, a cooperative brewery, and a bakery. The neighborhood grocery co-op is one block up the street.
This commercial stretch didn’t always look like this.
Milk, it’s whats for … wait, what exactly IS milk anyway?
The definition of skim milk seems like it should be pretty straightforward. Not so fast. There’s more at stake than meets the eye.
Follow Up Thoughts on The Death Throes of the Anti-GMO Movement
Does the proliferation of Non-GMO labels represent a serious obstacle to progress in agriculture or are they just a hazy clean food fad that will pass soon enough. I think it’s a fad that I wouldn’t worry too much about.
2018 Predictions: The Death Throes of the Anti-GMO Movement
The ability of the anti-GMO movement to frame the debate in mainstream venues has been waning. Is 2018 the year they return to the fringe?
How to Deal with Raw Milk and the Food Sovereignty Movement
Our food safety laws are meant to protect us in an impersonal, mass market. Motivated raw milk consumers and producers need an orderly way to opt out.
Why Michael Pollan is Wrong About Junk Food and Farm Subsidies
Michael Pollan blames farm subsidies for making junk food cheap. He’s wrong. Here’s why.
Who Pays to Steward the Commons?
Environmentalists want fisherman to pay for fishery management. Fisherman say the fees are onerous. Who should pay to steward the commons?
How to Make Sure We All Benefit When Nonprofits Patent Technologies Like CRISPR
GUEST AUTHOR Shobita Parthasarathy:The public partially underwrites nonprofit discoveries via tax breaks and isn’t seeing a lot of benefit in return. Non-profit patent licenses are one place where reforms can be made to put the public interest at the center.
Stand Up for Family Farmers – Pass the Farmer Fair Practices Rules
The Farmer Fair Practice Rules consist of one interim final rule and two proposed rules. The interim final rule deals with competitive injury disputes for contract growers. Currently, contract poultry growers must prove harm for the entire $48 billion chicken industry rather than harm to themselves when seeking relief from poultry companies for abusive contract practices. This outrageous interpretation of the Packers and Stockyards Act not only places undue burden on individual growers – it also allows the meatpacking industries to continue abusive practices largely free of consequences. The interim final rule eliminates that burden, thereby taking some power from the multinational meatpackers and placing it with the individual farmers.
Trump’s Rash Departure From Paris Agreement Leaves Farmers Worse Off
National Farmer’s Union president Roger Johnson on why Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement will be bad for farmers.
Crop Insurance Subsidies Should Be Capped
Large farms should be able to buy crop insurance on every acre, but there should be limits to the amount of their bill that taxpayers are responsible for. Other subsidy programs have a payment limit. Why should crop insurance be different?
Transshipment Ban Needed to Stop Illegal Fishing and Human Trafficking
New research concludes that a total ban on the practice of transshipment on the high seas is necessary to help stop illegal fishing and reduce the human trafficking and labor rights abuses that often accompany unlawful fishing activities.
A Sad Day as the Curtain Closes for the Leopold Center
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has had it’s funding cut by the state of Iowa. A big chunk of sustainable agriculture research capacity will be lost.
A Canadian Dairy Farmer Explains Supply Management
Manitoban dairy farmer Matt Plett explains the benefits to dairy farmers of the Canadian system of supply management.
Milking Scapegoats
Wisconsin farmer Chris Holman sorts out the issues in the dairy industry laid bare by Grassland Dairy Products announcement that they were dropping 75 farms as suppliers and the finger pointing by the Trump administration as it tries to deflect attention away from domestic troubles towards Canada.
Carbon Farming for Fun and Profit. Good Policy Can Help.
With shifting political winds and poor commodity prices, farmers may now be willing to consider new ways of generating income by adopting environmentally friendly practices, such as planting cover crops, extending crop rotations or eliminating tillage. Many farmers are already using these practices on a small scale. To combat climate change and stabilize incomes, farmers should look to policy to tackle both in tandem.
There’s Good Reason to End the Agriculture Versus the Environment Fight
Suzy Friedman, Senior Director of Agricultural Sustainability for the Environmental Defense Fund lays some basic principles for bring farmers and environmentalists into partnership.