Can biotechnology fix world hunger or are we just falling through the cracks? (Photo via Ethicurean)
The most striking point of Doug’s interview at the Ethicurean was that genetic engineering or biotech hasn’t increased the amount of food grown at all. Herbicides and even Bt poisons do far less than any other method (herbicides do nothing according to Doug).
Read the rest of the post at FoodCycles.org.
Agriculture and forestry in the US can absorb up to 13% of US greenhouse gas emissions according to Dennis Spisak of the Ohio Green Party. Unfortunately it also produces 6%. At the same time, there’s heavy resistance to fixing this whole air pollution, greenhouse gas problem from certain country folk who could stand to gain the most. Alas, it is human nature isn’t it?
If the drought in Alberta, the tornado in Ontario and the crazy 7 degree temperature changes in the Great Plains and Midwest are any indication, climate change is real. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution is a good idea any way – it saves on energy, money and other costs which can go to surviving these changes.
In another example of resistance, politicians supporting big farm businesses wrote the rules so that biofuel companies could get government money or support without any problems from the Environmental Protection Agency. Of course the science was ignored because all these politicians could see was the money.
As David Hawkins of the NRDC (Natural Resources Defence Council) said:
These amendments run the risk of creating a subprime market in both offsets and biofuels.
In addition, the cap and trade marketing system is more business as usual than really fixing things. Of course what it does is that it allows the already rich and powerful businesses to continue making lots of money while looking like they’re trying to fix things. It is unfortunate that even the Obama government continues down this road.
If even 5% of US power came from wind for example, farmers and countryside landowners could get $1.2 billion in money and 80,000 new jobs over 20 years. Considering the economic recession and loss of over 3.6 million jobs, every bit counts. And we definitely need to see nations like the US and Canada start shifting their thinking towards a green economy (Obama is thinking that way, alas Canada is behind).
If I were to make an educated guess based on population size, Canada could probably get a 10th of what the US gains in terms of 5% wind power. That’s still pretty significant.
Progress Ohio | Dennis Spisak’s Blog: The Future For Farmers: “the one in 300 Americans employed in the $200 billion farming and forestry sector have tremendous opportunities in the shift to a clean energy economy. U.S. agricultural and forest lands sequester 903 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, absorbing 13 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, but U.S.agriculture also produces 413 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year. If industrial agriculture engages in greener practices, then advanced biofuels, wind farms, biological sequestration and other sustainable practices can offer new jobs and billions of dollars of income to rural America. “
(Photo via Sunny Lam)
This hearty corn bread packs a powerful punch with organic spices like pepper and fresh, local organic garlic scapes. If you’re baking for non spice lovers and the scapes and red onion will more than make up for it.
I baked the first one for FoodCycles volunteers in July 2009 and they absolutely loved it.
Get the rest of the recipe at FoodCycles.org.
What are the striking facts from the article?
From 2005-2008, the price of wheat and corn became 3 times higher, rice 5 times higher and what happened?
There were food riots in nearly 24 countries and 75,000,000 (75 million) more people went into poverty.
What’s worse is that it came at a time when farmers actually beat their usual records. Why? The world is eating more food than it is making – simple as that.
Read the rest of the post at FoodCycles.org
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| From Breaking Ground: 2nd Farm Work Gig Revs Up |
Are you interested in: City farming, gardening and growing food? Learning the practical side of environmental and food issues? Getting lots of exercise and fresh air? Composting and creating good soil? Learning skills to get you a paying job? Are you ready to make a difference!
Get the updated posting at FoodCycles.org.
Looking for some exercise and stress relief? Need something extra to do while vacationing close to home? Or looking to kill time between gigs? Well there’s plenty to do right here at the FoodCycles farm (map http://bit.ly/ATb3G and directions http://bit.ly/YDDfp).
See the rest of the post at FoodCycles.org.
(Photo via Sunny Lam)
This recipe uses the more exotic amaranth flour which you can grow locally here in Ontario. Amaranth, teff and quinoa are native grains of the New World and are highly nutritious – having a lot of protein and essential amino acids.
“Amaranthus, collectively known as amaranth or pigweed, is a cosmopolitan genus of herbs. Approximately 60 species are recognized, with inflorescences and foliage ranging from purple and red to gold. Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia.” (Via Wikipedia)
“It was one of the staple foodstuffs of the Incas, and it is known as kiwicha in the Andes today. It was also used by the ancient Aztecs, who called it huautli, and other Native America peoples in Mexico to prepare ritual drinks and foods. To this day, amaranth grains are toasted much like popcorn and mixed with honey, molasses or chocolate to make a treat called alegría (”joy” in Spanish).” (Via Wikipedia)
1 cup amaranth flour, organic
1 cup all purpose flour (you can also substitute 1/2 cup of wheat bran, organic)
1 cup oats, rolled (if possible)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder (my first trial did not use baking powder so there was no rise)
4 tsp cocoa powder (raw cocoa crushed in a pestle and mortar is best)
1 tsp of sliced walnuts
4 tbsp brown sugar or honey
1/2 – 1 cup puffed rice
1/4 cup canola oil, cold pressed
1 1/2 – 2 cup water
Oil an 8 x 8 inch baking pan and set aside.
Mix the dry ingredients together in the bowl.
Pour the oil and mix that in as best you can.
Add the water and stir until all the dry ingredients are moist.
Pour the batter into the pan.
Preheat the oven to 440 F in the last 10 minutes.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the sides of the brownie cake are pulling away from the pan.
…students from MEChA de Auraria… (via Student/Farmworker Alliance)
Send a message to Chipotle — Respect Farmworker Rights | Fair Food Fight: “Last week, leaders of the food justice movement — – including Eric Schlosser and Robert Kenner, producer and director of the hard-hitting new documentary ‘Food, Inc.’ — sent a strongly worded letter to Chipotle, the fastest growing company in fast-food, demanding that they live up to its claims of ‘Food with Integrity’ and ‘work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers as a true partner in the protection of farmworkers’ rights.’”
Send an email message demanding real food with honesty and stop the abuse of farm workers.
The Campaign for Fair Food
Fair Food Fight
Student/Farmworker Alliance
Honey bread with cooked grains (rice and millet) prepared for FoodCycles first farm work planting session. (Photo via Sunny Lam)
I prepared this bread for FoodCycles first early summer farm planting day (http://bit.ly/1a7xAo) – specifically for Saturday and Sunday. Might be preparing some quick breads instead for Sunday. The recipe is a variation of Molasses Bread with Cooked Grains from Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone (of which I will cite often since there are over 1500 recipes in it).
Read the rest of the post at FoodCycles.org.
Sunny gives a quick halfway point video report on how the first farm planting work bee (more like construction preparation work stuff) is going so far. A lot of thistle cutting, rock picking, plant hardening and raised bed construction has been going on. There’ll be lots to do on Tuesday and Wednesday in terms of spreading compost, setting up beds and the actual get the ground going actions at that time. Feel free to drop in for some fresh air (seriously), good exercise and a dose of food inspired community.
See the video at FoodCycles.org.
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