Posted July 27, 2021
There are few people left alive today that remember the last time a severe drought that destroyed crops combined with a collapse of the financial system left millions of Americans hungry and homeless, back in the 1930s. Most of us alive today were taught in school that in the 1930s the nation suffered during “The Great Depression” as well as “The Dust Bowl.” And whether or not these were natural or man-made catastrophes back then is really not all that important when we consider that we are facing such potential dire circumstances for the immediate future, or even worse, here in 2021. Read more.
Get Informed on Issues Related to Foods
FTC Passes ‘Made in USA’ Regulation
Posted July 27, 2021
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a new rule that specifies what kinds of products can call themselves “Made in the USA,” and sets penalties for violators. The rule, passed by a 3 to 2 vote, allows the FTC to seek damages of up to $43,280 per violation against companies that falsely use “Made in the USA” or similar language on their packaging. Read more.
The Apocalyptic Drought in the Western U.S. is Causing Widespread Crop Failures on a Massive Scale
Posted July 23, 2021
At a time when food prices are already rising aggressively, agricultural production in the United States is being absolutely devastated by a drought that many are calling “the worst” in American history. Once again this week, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map has extremely bad news for us. In all the years that I have been writing, we have never experienced anything like we are experiencing right now. As I write this article, 100% of the state of California is in a state of drought, and you should care very much about that because California produces about a third of our vegetables and about two-thirds of our fruits and nuts. Read more.
GMO Purple Tomato Takes Centre Stage in Deregulation Push
Posted July 23, 2021
For those who wondered whatever happened to Cathie Martin’s GM purple “anti-cancer” tomatoes that were hyped to the skies more than a decade ago, they’re back – and taking centre stage in an article published in the New York Times Magazine, titled Learning to love GMOs and with the subhead, “Overblown fears have turned the public against genetically modified food. But the potential benefits have never been greater”. Read more.
Five Top Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted July 23, 2021
There isn’t a shortage of stories around the therapeutic effects of apple cider vinegar (ACV), from weight management to disease prevention and treatment. This popular home remedy has also been used for hundreds of years in the kitchen as a cooking ingredient. Vinegar, after all, has had colorful uses recorded throughout history. Hippocrates used it medicinally for wound healing, while Hannibal of Carthage used it to dissolve boulders blocking the path of his army.[i] Sung Tse in the 10th century wasn’t any different: he was said to promote hand washing with sulfur and vinegar to prevent infection during autopsy. Let’s dig deeper into the science backing the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Read more.
Stine Says Dicamba Has Damaged U.S. Agriculture More Than Anything in his Lifetime
Posted July 23, 2021
“In my opinion, dicamba has caused more damage to American agriculture than anything I have witnessed in my lifetime. (And I am old :)),” writes the founder of the Stine Seed Company, Adel, Iowa, in an e-mail. “I told Robb Fraley (retired chief technology officer) of Monsanto (bought by Bayer in 2018) this in the late summer of 2017. The vast majority of dicamba damage goes unreported as farmers do not want to upset their neighbors and they have learned that reporting dicamba damage accomplishes absolutely nothing.” Read more.
Arkansas Lawyer fights Dicamba Damage to Crop and Trees, Warms of Arson and Intimidation
Posted July 22, 2021
In May the Arkansas state Plant Board voted to allow farmers to spray the weedkiller dicamba up until June 30 over the top of GM dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. Farmers had a May 25 cut-off in the past two growing seasons but changes in the board’s membership has led to a relaxing of restrictions. In recent years the Plant Board has instituted some seasonal restrictions over dicamba spraying, going beyond EPA guidelines, in a half-hearted attempt to limit the massive damage caused to crops, trees, and garden plants as the weedkiller drifts off-target. Read more.
Time to Give Up Red Meat?
Posted July 22, 2021
The study, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, found specific patterns of DNA damage caused by diets high in red meat. The study elucidates how a high consumption of red meat damages health, but news coverage of the topic adds to a long list of articles whose takeaway is that we should avoid red meat and focus more on “healthier” proteins like poultry, fish, and even lab-grown meat. This is far too simplistic. We don’t need to give up eating organic, pasture-raised red meat, as long as it’s in moderation and accompanied by other healthy foods. We particularly do not need to turn to the plant-based meats that are becoming increasingly popular. Read more.
If you See this Plant in your Backyard, Whatever You Do Don’t Step on It!
Posted July 22, 2021
Important video about what is seen as a common weed in most yards. View here.
Joel Salatin: The Ron Paul of Family Farmers
Posted July 22, 2021
Sitting on a picnic bench across from Joel Salatin on a beautiful day on Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, I am struck with how much the farmer, author and lecturer reminds me of Ron Paul: Mission-driven, a leader who has inspired millions around the world, a Christian, family man, libertarian, self-sufficient, charismatic, energetic, enterprising, optimistic, hard-working, a teacher, a communicator, a brilliant unorthodox thinker, confident yet humble, good-humored, athletic, frugal, and possessing a strong bearing and commanding presence. Read more.
