Can organic scale up while maintaining its integrity?
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As the organic industry grows, there are questions about whether organic can reach a large scale while preserving its integrity and values of soil health, water quality, healthy food, family farms and rural communities, and biodiversity.
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After 10 years of rapid growth, what does organic mean today?
Organic food means many different things to many people. Some point to organic certification as the gold standard to reducing the environmental impacts of farming while ensuring that farmers make a living wage. Some see it as a healthier way to eat. Still others see it as elite, divisive, or watered-down.
Civil Eats
recently invited four noted experts to weigh in on the issues surrounding organic food—from perception to policy.
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Rodale Institute launches new organic research and training centers in Georgia and California
The Southeast Organic Center and California Organic Center aim to innovate agriculture and increase healthy food access in their region
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Study finds organic apples have a more diverse and balanced bacterial community than conventional apples
The old saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” may have to be changed to “An organic apple a day keeps the doctor away” in light of a new published study finding that organic apples contain a more diverse and balanced bacterial community than conventional apples.
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Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold launches initiative supporting farmers’ transition to organic production
Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, the first national beer brand to be USDA-certified organic, recently launched a new initiative called “Contract for Change” that supports American barley farmers who want to transition conventional fields to try organic production for the first time.
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Corbion plant preps for more organic foods growth
Ingredient supplier opens fourth organic certified plant in Nebraska.
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Organic pioneer David Vetter to keynote Organic & Non-GMO Forum
A trailblazing organic farmer from Nebraska and founder of Grain Place Foods, David Vetter, will present the keynote address at the fifth annual Organic and Non-GMO Forum in October.
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Ardent Mills acquires Oregon grain elevator to invest in organic
Flour milling company extends grower network to Pacific Northwest to meet specialty market needs and organic demand.
French co-op creates “organic conversion” label to support farmers transitioning
Organic produce is becoming increasingly popular, with demand outstripping supply. But transitioning to organic takes three years and is expensive; during transition, products are sold at conventional prices. French cooperative group D’Aucy, with 9,000 farmer members, is trying to support farmers transitioning to organic with an “organic conversion” label.
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“
The Biggest Little Farm”: A bumpy and beautiful road to farming for a healthier planet
Apricot Lane Farms is the star in the new documentary film “The Biggest Little Farm,” showing the transformative impact on our food system when farming is done wisely.
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U.S. farmers stalk fraudulent imports to save their markets
A flood of illegal imports of “organic” grains from Turkey and nearby countries casts doubt on the USDA’s ability to stop organic fraud.
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Germany’s demand for non-GMO foods erodes market for U.S. GMO soy, says USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently reported that German shoppers’ ongoing preference for Ohne Gentechnik (“without genetic engineering”) labeled food is “driving demand in the market for non-GMO animal feed, leading to marketing opportunities for growers and producers of non-GMO feed ingredients and additives, while eroding demand for U.S. exports of genetically engineered soy.”
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CEO: Chipotle is “back but just getting started”
Popular non-GMO burrito chain won’t use popular meat substitutes
After suffering several setbacks due to food safety issues, Chipotle Mexican Grill is back and stronger than ever according to company CEO Brian Niccol, who also said his company won’t be using popular meat alternatives from Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods.
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DSM and Avril collaborate to bring non-GMO canola protein to food industry
Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition, and sustainable living, and Avril, an international French agro-industrial group, intend to work together to produce a unique protein based on non-GMO canola.
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Grain growers seek Irish ban on palm and GMO feed products
The Irish Grain Growers’ Group is calling for a ban on palm kernel, palm oil, and genetically modified soy and GM corn products, coming mainly from Brazil—where deforestation has destroyed rain forests and furthered species extinctions.
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Popular breakfast cereals could help farmers, reduce soil erosion and farm runoff, and take a bite out of climate change
Crop Rotations Could Save Over 70,000 Tons of Soil, Avert at Least $5.8 Million in Water Pollution Costs
Leading cereal makers can help curb water pollution, combat climate change, and keep farmers profitable by making modest shifts in their grain purchasing practices, according to a new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
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To address climate crisis, state legislatures are pushing dozens of bills on soil health
Regenerative agriculture is gaining traction in farming circles—and in state and federal governments where legislation supporting soil health is being introduced. Overall, in the past two legislative sessions, 250 soil health bills have been introduced in statehouses and Washington, D.C.
Regenerative agriculture draws interest of consumers
Survey finds over half of respondents want to learn more, as large food companies roll out products containing healthy grains.
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For climate-smart farmers, carbon solution is in the soil
“Carbon farming” gives growers immediate payback—healthier soil, water retention—while providing direct impact on climate change.
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One Size Fits None:
A Farm Girl’s Search for the Promise of Regenerative Agriculture
Stephanie Anderson grew up on a ranch near Bison, South Dakota, where her father raised cattle and crops using industrial farming methods. She defended industrial agriculture as a journalist but later came to doubt its practices. She documents her journey from industrial agriculture apologist to regenerative agriculture proponent in her new book,
One Size Fits None
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Mercaris report details how cold and wet spring affected certified organic crop operations; prepares industry for 2019 harvest risks
Mercaris
recently released a Spring Planting Special Report, which finds that less than 3 percent of U.S. organic field crop acres were located in areas impacted by this spring’s most significant flooding, but that organic acres were still reduced by the rainy spring
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Study finds 90 percent of families have toxic weed killer in their bodies. Significantly higher levels found in children
Results released as Trump’s EPA poised to approve the continued use of glyphosate in the U.S. for 15 more years
A new study
by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) found that over 90 percent of families tested had glyphosate in their bodies. The study sought to determine whether children are more exposed to Monsanto’s toxic weed killer than their parents. The results were unequivocal. Six children had twice the amount of their parents and one had nearly 100 times more.
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Sick children among cancer victims suing Monsanto over Roundup
Lawsuits continue to mount, including children exposed to glyphosate—as Bayer investors fret the legal costs. Judge lowers $2 billion settlement to $86.7 million.
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Herbicide drift damage reports pour in nationwide
Farmer says dicamba drift damage is a “real black eye” for agriculture
For the fourth year in a row, drift from dicamba herbicide used with genetically engineered dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton is damaging crops, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental trees nationwide.
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Rogue weedkiller vapors are threatening soybean science
Research universities see dicamba drift damage from genetically modified soybeans annihilating their efforts, as farmers continue to plant more acres of GM crops tolerant to the controversial weedkiller.
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Extreme Genetic Engineering
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USDA official suggests gene editing could be used in organic production
The National Organic Program rules prohibit the use of genetic engineering in organic farming and processing, considering it an “excluded method.” But a U.S. Department of Agriculture official recently suggested weakening that rule to allow the use of gene editing in organic production.
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Rat feeding study suggests the Impossible Burger may not be safe to eat
The product contains a GMO-derived protein potentially linked to kidney disease and adverse blood chemistry changes.
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Film on India’s “Seed Mother,” preserver of native crop varieties, wins Cannes Award
Maharashtra villager, dedicated to eliminating hybrid varieties, uses traditional methods to save rare species and promote organic farming.
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