The Latest News and Updates on What’s Going On in the World
Roundup Resistant Superweeds March Throughout the U.S.
I’ve now seen two articles in the last week about weeds that are resistant to Roundup from Monsanto. In case you forgot, about 20 years ago Monsanto introduced Roundup Ready seeds and herbicides. Roundup Ready seeds were genetically modified to have an immunity to Roundup, an herbicide. Farmers could then use Roundup on their crops and not destroy valuable food crops. 90 percent of the nation’s soybeans and 70 to 80 percent of our corn and cotton are Roundup Ready crops. Farmers started to see Roundup resistant weeds about 10 years ago, and now they are becoming epidemic. To deal with this emerging problem, other chemical companies such as Dupont, Dow, Bayer, Basf, and Sygenta are working to develop other modified soybean, corn, and cotton seeds that can survive a dousing of older herbicides. In the article “Superweed Outbreak Triggers Arms Race” in the June 4 issue of the Wall Street Journal John Jachetta, a scientist at Dow Chemical’s Dow AgroSciences and President of the Weed Science Society of America was quoted as saying “It will be a very significant opportunity” for chemical companies. “It is a new era.” You really need to read this article.
Social Justice and Local Food
“When you buy from farms that treat their workers fairly, you are helping to limit the cruel conditions for farm workers. And although it’s not always possible to find out, knowing your farm vendor or visiting his or her farm (or Web site) may give you some idea of how the staff is treated. Your food dollar votes for everything it takes to make that food, including the treatment of the people who grow it.” -Amy Cotler, from The Locavore Way: Discover and Enjoy the Pleasures of Locally Grown Food
Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Selections
On May 19, the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation met to finalize selections for the first phase of Public Round 15 in which 36 out of 94 farms that applied were selected. This May 19 selection will permanently preserve 3,263 acres of farmland at a cost of $8,572,778. Funding for the selections was provided by the State and the Federal Government. This year, New Castle County provided nearly $600,000 to preserve six farms. Landowners agreed to discounts that averaged 69.10 percent, which brought their in-kind contribution to $19,207,644.14. Once these selections go to settlement, Delaware’s total number of acres permanently preserved by Delaware’s Agricultural Lands Preservation Program will be 97,198. Additional Round 15 selections may be presented once Kent County and Sussex County review the farms that remain unpreserved in their respective jurisdictions. If funding is realized from the counties, federal funds will be used as a match.
Supreme Court to Hear First Genetically Engineered Crop Case
The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided to hear the case Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms. The case involves Monsanto’s genetically engineered Roundup ready alfalfa seeds. The Center for Food Safety is saying that the US Department of Agriculture’s approval of the GE alfalfa was illegal. For more information on this groundbreaking case go to Supreme Court Case.
Sweet Potatoes Contain Protective Antioxidants
An article in Farmers’ Markets Today reports that caffeoylquinic acids, which are known for their antioxidant activities, were found in measurable amounts in sweet potatoes by ARS scientists. The highest levels of the compounds were found in the layer of tissue just under the skin, intermediate levels were found in the interior of the sweet potato, and the lowest levels were found in the skin. The research was published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science.
Hard Line Aggies vs. No-Nothing Urbanites
A recent op-ed piece in The Los Angeles Times might be of interest to those of you involved in the ongoing conversation about food in this country and in the world. In the piece titled The Facts About Food and Farming, Russ Parsons examines the farm policy debate and proposes some ground rules for the ongoing discussions. It should be of interest to thoughtful persons whether they are coming from a conventional agricultural viewpoint or those who advocate a different farming model.
American Medical Association (AMA) Passes Resolution Supporting Sustainable Food System
In June, the AMA approved a new policy resolution to support practices and policies that promote ecologically sustainable food systems. The resolution also calls on the AMA to educate the health care community and the public about the importance of healthy and ecologically sustainable food systems. To read more about the resolution go to AMA Supports Sustainability
