The World Seed Conference: Good for farmers?

By Robin Willoughby
Online Journal

Last week marked a little-known and under-reported symposium held in Rome under the auspices of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation — the World Seed Conference. Although the subject may appear obscure, the conference theme and the issues discussed, including plant variety protection and seed improvement techniques, could not be more important to millions of farmers in the developing world.

Bioballistics: A plate full of toxins

By Vandana Shiva

In times when food is genetically manipulated and chemically contaminated, the metaphor “food for thought” can also stand for manipulated information and be toxic food for thought. Unfortunately, Dr M.S. Swaminathan’s GM: Food for Thought(August 26), is as manipulated as the genetically-modified (GM) foods which were the subject of his article.

Dr Swaminathan’s first scientific manipulation was the argument that conventional plant “breeding methods are very time consuming and often not very accurate. However, with the recombinant DNA technology, plants with the desired traits can be produced very rapidly and with greater accuracy.”

This is scientifically false. Genetic engineering is a crude and blind technology of shooting genes into an organism through a “gene gun.”

‘The Cove’ Puts Pressure on Taiji Fishermen, Dolphins to Be Released

By Gina Papabeis
Oceanic Preservation Society


BOULDER, Colorado (September 10, 2009) – Fishermen in Taiji, Japan will be releasing captured dolphins this week in response to international outcry following the award-winning film “The Cove.” Some of the dolphins captured during the annual round up will be sold to aquariums, and while the rest are typically slaughtered in secret, the fishermen will be releasing them because of recent criticism.

EPA approves complex GE crop behind closed doors

By Union of Concerned Scientists

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the most complex genetically engineered (GE) crop ever to enter the U.S. food supply, without notifying the public or inviting public comment. SmartStax, a variety of corn containing eight new genes—six for insect resistance and two for herbicide tolerance—is significantly different from the three-gene corn varieties that the agency previously approved.

Monsanto and Dow Chemical, the joint developers of SmartStax, expect the new variety to be grown on three to four million acres next year, the largest launch ever of a GE crop.

The EPA excluded the public from the SmartStax decision process on the grounds that it had already approved other varieties containing the individual genes. The agency also bowed to industry pressure to lower safeguards against insect pests becoming resistant to the new genes. Read more from Bloomberg.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is alarmed:

“We are disappointed that the new administration’s first approval of a major new GE crop was done behind closed doors. SmartStax raises important risk issues such as the potential for insects to develop resistance to the new gene combination that should have been addressed in a transparent, participatory process.” ~ Jane Rissler, Deputy Director/Senior Scientist

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the most complex genetically engineered (GE) crop ever to enter the U.S. food supply, without notifying the public or inviting public comment. SmartStax, a variety of corn containing eight new genes—six for insect resistance and two for herbicide tolerance—is significantly different from the three-gene corn varieties that the agency previously approved.

Monsanto and Dow Chemical, the joint developers of SmartStax, expect the new variety to be grown on three to four million acres next year, the largest launch ever of a GE crop.

Wyoming withdraws from NAIS

From Amish Internet
September 11, 2009

WYOMING REFUSES TO BE BOUGHT! Congratulations to Wyoming!! NAIS has provided generous funding for USDA offices in every state with minimal oversight in regard to premises enrollment.

How to Make a Self-Watering Container Garden from a Plastic Storage Bin

For less than $10, you can make your own self-watering container garden by reusing common items.

By Colleen Vanderlinden
PlanetGreen

This is an easy, inexpensive project, and one that gives you a little extra space to grow your own food. I was able to use bins I already had, but you may want to scour your neighborhood on trash day, local resale shops, or Freecycle before going out and buying new ones. Just about everything here can be found for free.

Natural Insecticide: 6-inch banana spider

By Rady Ananda

This six-inch female weaved a web support line so strong that it impeded my opening the patio door – not by much, of course, but enough that I could feel it. The silk of Nephila clavipes surpasses the strength of Kevlar, a fiber used in bulletproof vests. And she layers it.

Nephila clavipes (banana spider) by Rady Ananda Sept.2009, Ft. Lauderdale

Bushie’s tail saves miracle calf

By Brad Cooper
Queensland Country Life

A FIRST calf commercial heifer has dropped two calves within 45 days at a Baralaba Droughtmaster stud, stunning its owners and sending fertility specialists scurrying for their veterinary journals.The event with the fairytale ending has left respected stud master and this year’s Droughtmaster judge at the Royal Brisbane Show, Bill Zahnleiter, Angle Zed stud, gobsmacked. He says he’s never witnessed anything like it in more than 15 years of stud breeding.

Farmer turns waste into electricity

By Ryan Randazzo
Arizona Republic (with 2-min. video)

A small Gila Bend farm that once found unlikely success growing shrimp in the desert is working on another unusual business venture – turning farm waste into electricity and growing algae for fuel.

Two Million Dollar Fine for Tyson

By Suzana Megles

I think the celebrities who sport milk mustaches have failed to do their homework. Do we really need milk? Considering that there are many vegetable sources with less fat and calories for realizing our calcium needs–then the answer has to be no. And if we consider the impact on the environment of raising cows for milk or meat, it should be abundantly clear that we should try to wean ourselves as much as possible from dairy and meat.